ALERIS CORPORATION [ ] Shares of Common Stock Underwriting Agreement

Exhibit 1.1

ALERIS CORPORATION

[ ] Shares of Common Stock

Underwriting Agreement

[ ], 2012

X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC

Barclays Capital Inc.

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated

Xxxxxxx, Sachs & Co.

As Representatives of the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto

c/o X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC

000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx

Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Aleris Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes to issue and sell to the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto (the “Underwriters”), for whom you are acting as representatives (the “Representatives”), an aggregate of [ ] shares of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, and certain stockholders of the Company named in Schedule 2 hereto (the “Type 1 Selling Stockholders”) and certain stockholders of the Company named in Schedule 3 hereto (the “Type 2 Selling Stockholders” and, together with the Type 1 Selling Stockholders, the “Selling Stockholders”) propose to sell to the several Underwriters an aggregate of [ ] shares of Common Stock of the Company (collectively, the “Underwritten Shares”). In addition, the Selling Stockholders propose to sell, at the option of the Underwriters, up to an additional [ ] shares of Common Stock of the Company (collectively, the “Option Shares”). The Underwritten Shares and the Option Shares are herein referred to as the “Shares.” The shares of Common Stock of the Company to be outstanding after giving effect to the sale of the Shares are referred to herein as the “Stock.”

The Company hereby confirms its agreement with the several Underwriters concerning the purchase and sale of shares to be sold by the Company and each Selling Stockholder hereby confirms its agreement with the several Underwriters concerning the purchase and sale of shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder, as follows:

1. Registration Statement. The Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “Securities Act”), a registration statement (File No. 333-173721), including a prospectus, relating to the Shares. Such registration statement, as amended at the time it became effective, including the information,

if any, deemed pursuant to Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act to be part of the registration statement at the time of its effectiveness (“Rule 430 Information”), is referred to herein as the “Registration Statement”; and as used herein, the term “Preliminary Prospectus” means each prospectus included in such registration statement (and any amendments thereto) before effectiveness, any prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Securities Act and the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time of its effectiveness that omits Rule 430 Information, and the term “Prospectus” means the prospectus in the form first used (or made available upon request of purchasers pursuant to Rule 173 under the Securities Act) in connection with confirmation of sales of the Shares. If the Company has filed an abbreviated registration statement pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act (the “Rule 462 Registration Statement”), then any reference herein to the term “Registration Statement” shall be deemed to include such Rule 462 Registration Statement. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

At or prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below), the Company had prepared the following information (collectively with the pricing information set forth in Annex B, the “Pricing Disclosure Package”): a Preliminary Prospectus dated , 2012 and each “free-writing prospectus” (as defined pursuant to Rule 405 under the Securities Act) listed on Annex B hereto.

“Applicable Time” means [ ] [A/P].M., New York City time, on [ ], 2012.

2. Purchase of the Shares by the Underwriters.

(a) The Company agrees to issue and sell, and each of the Selling Stockholders agrees, severally and not jointly, to sell, the Underwritten Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and each Underwriter, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase at a price per share (the “Purchase Price”) of $[ ] from the Company the respective number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite such Underwriter’s name in Schedule 1 hereto (or such number increased as set forth in Section 12 hereof) and from each of the Selling Stockholders the number of Underwritten Shares (to be adjusted by you so as to eliminate fractional shares) determined by multiplying the aggregate number of Underwritten Shares to be sold by each of the Selling Stockholders as set forth opposite their respective names in Schedule 2 hereto by a fraction, the numerator of which is the aggregate number of Underwritten Shares to be purchased by such Underwriter as set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule 1 hereto and the denominator of which is the aggregate number of Underwritten Shares to be purchased by all the Underwriters hereunder.

In addition, each of the Selling Stockholders agrees, severally and not jointly, as and to the extent indicated in Schedule 2 hereto, to sell, the Option Shares to the several Underwriters as provided in this Agreement, and the Underwriters, on the basis of the representations, warranties and agreements set forth herein and subject to the conditions set forth herein, shall have the option to purchase the Option Shares, severally and not jointly, from each Selling Stockholder at the Purchase Price less an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Underwritten Shares but not payable on the Option Shares. If any Option Shares are to be purchased, the number of Option Shares to be purchased by each

Underwriter shall be the number of Option Shares which bears the same ratio to the aggregate number of Option Shares being purchased as the number of Underwritten Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule 1 hereto (or such number increased as set forth in Section 12 hereof) bears to the aggregate number of Underwritten Shares being purchased by the several Underwriters, subject, however, to such adjustments to eliminate any fractional Shares as the Representatives in their sole discretion shall make. Any such election to purchase Option Shares shall be made in proportion to the maximum number of Option Shares to be sold by each Selling Stockholder as set forth in Schedule 2 hereto.

The Underwriters may exercise the option to purchase Option Shares at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, on or before the thirtieth day following the date of the Prospectus, by written notice from the Representatives to the Company and the Attorneys-in-Fact (as defined below). Such notice shall set forth the aggregate number of Option Shares as to which the option is being exercised and the date and time when the Option Shares are to be delivered and paid for, which may be the same date and time as the Closing Date (as hereinafter defined) but shall not be earlier than the Closing Date or later than the tenth full business day (as hereinafter defined) after the date of such notice (unless such time and date are postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 12 hereof). Any such notice shall be given at least two business days prior to the date and time of delivery specified therein.

(b) The Company and the Selling Stockholders understand that the Underwriters intend to make a public offering of the Shares as soon after the effectiveness of this Agreement as in the judgment of the Representatives is advisable, and initially to offer the Shares on the terms set forth in the Prospectus. The Company and the Selling Stockholders acknowledge and agree that the Underwriters may offer and sell Shares to or through any affiliate of an Underwriter.

(c) Payment for the Shares shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Company and the Attorneys-in-Fact or any of them (with regard to payment to the Selling Stockholders), to the Representatives in the case of the Underwritten Shares, at the offices of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP at 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on [ ], 2012, or at such other time or place on the same or such other date, not later than the fifth business day thereafter, as the Representatives, the Company and the Attorneys-in-Fact may agree upon in writing or, in the case of the Option Shares, on the date and at the time and place specified by the Representatives in the written notice of the Underwriters’ election to purchase such Option Shares. The time and date of such payment for the Underwritten Shares is referred to herein as the “Closing Date,” and the time and date for such payment for the Option Shares, if other than the Closing Date, is herein referred to as the “Additional Closing Date.”

Payment for the Shares to be purchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall be made against delivery to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the several Underwriters of the Shares to be purchased on such date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, with any transfer taxes payable in connection with the sale of such Shares duly paid by the Company and the Selling Stockholders, as applicable. Delivery of the Shares shall be made through the facilities of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) unless the Representatives shall otherwise instruct. The certificates for the Shares will be made available for inspection and packaging by the Representatives at the office of DTC or its designated custodian not later than 1:00 P.M., New York City time, on the business day prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(d) Each of the Company and each Selling Stockholder acknowledges and agrees that the Underwriters are acting solely in the capacity of an arm’s length contractual counterparty to the Company and the Selling Stockholders with respect to the offering of Shares contemplated hereby (including in connection with determining the terms of the offering) and not as a financial advisor or a fiduciary to, or an agent of, the Company, the Selling Stockholders or any other person. Additionally, none of the Representatives nor any other Underwriter is advising the Company, the Selling Stockholders or any other person as to any legal, tax, investment, accounting or regulatory matters in any jurisdiction. The Company and the Selling Stockholders shall consult with their own advisors concerning such matters and shall be responsible for making its own independent investigation and appraisal of the transactions contemplated hereby, and the Underwriters shall have no responsibility or liability to the Company or the Selling Stockholders with respect thereto. Any review by the Underwriters of the Company, the transactions contemplated hereby or other matters relating to such transactions will be performed solely for the benefit of the Underwriters and shall not be on behalf of the Company or the Selling Stockholders.

3. Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to each Underwriter and the Selling Stockholders that:

(a) Preliminary Prospectus. No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and each Preliminary Prospectus included in the Pricing Disclosure Package, at the time of filing thereof, complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, and no Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in any Preliminary Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 9(c) hereof.

(b) Pricing Disclosure Package. The Pricing Disclosure Package as of the Applicable Time did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Pricing Disclosure Package, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 9(c) hereof.

(c) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. Other than the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, use, authorize, approve or refer to any “written communication” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) that constitutes an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy the Shares (each such communication by the Company or its agents and representatives (other than a communication referred to in clause (i) below) an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”) other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act or (ii) the documents listed on Annex B(a) hereto, each electronic road show and any other written communications approved in writing in advance by the Representatives. Each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, has been or will be (within the time period specified in Rule 433) filed in accordance with the Securities Act (to the extent required thereby) and, when taken together with the Preliminary Prospectus and any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus accompanying, or delivered prior to delivery of, such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in each such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Preliminary Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Preliminary Prospectus, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 9(c) hereof.

(d) Registration Statement and Prospectus. The Registration Statement has been declared effective by the Commission. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued by the Commission, and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act against the Company or related to the offering of the Shares has been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission; as of the applicable effective date of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, the Registration Statement and any such post-effective amendment complied and will comply as to form in each case in all material respects with the Securities Act, and did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the Company makes no representation and warranty with respect to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in Section 9(c) hereof.

(e) Financial Statements. The financial statements (including the related notes thereto) of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus comply in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the entities covered thereby at the dates and for the periods indicated and have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis, except as otherwise stated therein, including in the related notes thereto; provided, however, that those financial statements that are unaudited do not contain all footnotes that may be required under GAAP for annual financial statements; the summary and selected financial data in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein and have been prepared and compiled on a basis consistent with the audited and unaudited financial statements included therein, except as otherwise stated therein; the pro forma financial statements (including the notes thereto) and the other pro forma financial information included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (i) comply, where applicable, as to form in all material respects with the applicable requirements of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), (ii) have been prepared, where applicable, in accordance with the Commission’s rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and (iii) have been properly computed on the bases described therein; the assumptions used in the preparation of the pro forma financial statements and other pro forma financial information included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions or circumstances referred to therein.

(f) No Material Adverse Change. Since the date of the most recent financial statements appearing in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except as disclosed therein, (i) none of the Company or its consolidated subsidiaries has incurred any liabilities or obligations, direct or contingent, or entered into or agreed to enter into any transactions or contracts (written or oral) not in the ordinary course of business, which liabilities, obligations, transactions or contracts would, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (ii) none of the Company or its consolidated subsidiaries has purchased any of its outstanding capital stock, nor declared, paid or otherwise made any dividend or distribution of any kind on its capital stock (other than with respect to any of such subsidiaries, the purchase of, or dividend or distribution on, capital stock owned by the Company) and (iii) there has not been any material change in the capital stock (other than the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon exercise of stock options or pursuant to the exercise of convertible securities described as outstanding in, and the grant of options and awards under existing equity incentive plans disclosed in, the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) or any material adverse change, in or affecting the business, properties, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

(g) Organization and Good Standing. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly incorporated or formed, as the case may be, validly existing and in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdiction) under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, as the case may be, and has all requisite corporate, limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as now conducted and as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; each of the Company and its subsidiaries is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, in good standing (to the extent such concept exists in the relevant jurisdiction) in all other jurisdictions where the ownership or leasing of its properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (any such event, a “Material Adverse Effect”).

(h) Capitalization. The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Capitalization” in the column “Actual” (except for subsequent issuances, if any, pursuant to this Agreement, pursuant to reservations, agreements or employee benefit plans disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus); all the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (including the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders) have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and are not subject to any pre-emptive or similar rights; except as described in or expressly contemplated by the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no outstanding rights (including, without limitation, pre-emptive rights), warrants or options to acquire, or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for, any shares of capital stock or other equity interest in the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any contract, commitment, agreement, understanding or arrangement of any kind relating to the issuance of any capital stock of the Company or any such subsidiary, any such convertible or exchangeable securities or any such rights, warrants or options; the capital stock of the Company conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and all the outstanding shares of capital stock or other equity interests of each subsidiary owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable (except, in the case of any foreign subsidiary, for directors’ qualifying shares and except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus) and are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of any lien, charge, encumbrance, security interest, restriction on voting or transfer or any other claim of any third party other than as contemplated by the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 30, 2011, among Aleris International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Aleris International”), each subsidiary of Aleris International a party thereto, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent (the “ABL Facility”).

(i) Stock Options. With respect to the stock options (the “Stock Options”) granted pursuant to the stock-based compensation plans of the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Company Stock Plans”), (i) none of the Stock Options is intended to qualify as an “incentive stock option” under Section 422 of the Code, (ii) each grant of a Stock Option was duly authorized no later than the date on which the grant of such Stock Option was by its terms to be effective (the “Grant Date”) by all necessary corporate action, including, as applicable, approval by the board of directors of the Company (or a duly constituted and authorized committee thereof) by the necessary number of votes or written consents, and the award agreement governing such grant (if any) was duly executed and delivered by each party thereto, to the extent required by the terms of the Company Stock Plan or such award agreement, (iii) each such grant was made in accordance with the terms of the Company Stock Plans, the Exchange Act and all other applicable laws and regulatory rules or requirements, including the rules of the New York Stock Exchange and any other exchange on which Company securities are traded, and (iv) each such grant was properly accounted for in accordance with GAAP in the financial statements (including the related notes) of the Company.

(j) Due Authorization. The Company has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder; and all action required to be taken for the due and proper authorization, execution and delivery by it of this Agreement and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated hereby has been duly and validly taken.

(k) Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company.

(l) The Shares. The Shares to be issued and sold by the Company hereunder have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered and paid for as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued, will be fully paid and nonassessable and will conform to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and the issuance of the Shares is not subject to any preemptive or similar rights.

(m) Descriptions of the Underwriting Agreement. This Agreement conforms in all material respects to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(n) No Violation or Default. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or similar organizational documents; (ii) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of

the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject; or (iii) in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii) above, for any such default, violation or event that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.

(o) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of each of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares by the Company, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not (i) result in a breach of or a default under (or an event that with notice or passage of time or both would constitute a default under) the due performance or observance of its existing obligations pursuant to the terms or provisions of any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, except for any such breach, default or event that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) result in a violation (or an event that with notice or passage of time or both would constitute a violation) of the provisions of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws (or similar organizational document) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (iii) (assuming compliance with all applicable state securities or “Blue Sky” laws and assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Underwriters in Section 7 hereof) result in a violation of any statute, judgment, decree, order, rule or regulation applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets, except for any such conflict, breach or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(p) No Consents Required. No consent, approval, authorization, order, license, registration or qualification of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except for the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders and registrations or qualifications as may be required by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), the New York Stock Exchange and under applicable state securities laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters.

(q) Legal Proceedings. Except as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there is not pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened any action, suit, proceeding or investigation to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party, or to which the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries are subject, before or brought by any court, arbitrator or governmental agency or body that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or that seeks to restrain, enjoin, prevent the consummation of or otherwise challenge the issuance or sale of the Shares to be sold hereunder or the consummation of the other transactions described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(r) Independent Accountants. Ernst & Young LLP (the “Independent Accountants”) is an independent public accounting firm within the meaning of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(s) Title to Real and Personal Property. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has good and indefeasible title to all real property and defeasible title to all personal property described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being owned by it and valid leasehold interests in the real and personal property described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus as being leased by it free and clear of all liens, charges or other encumbrances, except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or to the extent the failure to have such title or the existence of such liens, charges, encumbrances or restrictions would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All contracts and agreements to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them is bound are valid and enforceable against the Company or such subsidiary, as applicable, and, to the knowledge of the Company, are valid and enforceable against the other party or parties thereto and are in full force and effect with only such exceptions as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess adequate licenses or other rights to use all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights and know-how necessary to conduct their respective businesses as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and none of the Company or its subsidiaries has received any written or actual notice of infringement of or conflict with (or knows of any such infringement of or conflict with) asserted rights of others with respect to any such patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights or know-how that, if such assertion of infringement or conflict were sustained, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(t) [Reserved]

(u) [Reserved]

(v) Investment Company Act. None of the Company or its subsidiaries will, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, be an “investment company” as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(w) Taxes. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries has filed all federal, state and foreign income and franchise tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof, except where the failure to so file such returns would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and has paid all material taxes shown as due thereon required to be paid through the date hereof; and other than tax deficiencies that the Company or any subsidiary is contesting in good faith and for which

the Company or such subsidiary has in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles provided adequate reserves, there is no tax deficiency that has been asserted against the Company or any of its subsidiaries that would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(x) Licenses and Permits. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries possesses all licenses, permits, certificates, consents, orders, approvals and other authorizations from, and has made all declarations and filings with, all appropriate federal, state, local and other governmental authorities, all self-regulatory organizations and all courts and other tribunals, presently required or necessary to own or lease, as the case may be, and to operate its respective properties and to carry on its respective businesses as now conducted or as proposed to be conducted as set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (“Permits”), except where the failure to possess or make the same would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and none of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has received any written or actual notice of any proceeding (or knows of any proceeding) relating to revocation or modification of any such Permit, except as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except where such revocation or modification would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(y) No Labor Disputes. There is no strike, labor dispute, slowdown or work stoppage with the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, threatened except for any which would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(z) Compliance with and Liability under Environmental Laws. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries (i) are in compliance with any and all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules, regulations, decisions and orders relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or to hazardous or toxic substances, or to wastes, pollutants or contaminants (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (ii) have obtained and are in compliance with all permits, licenses or other approvals required of them under applicable Environmental Laws to conduct their respective businesses (“Environmental Permits”) and (iii) have not received notice of any actual or potential liability under any Environmental Law, including without limitation, any notice relating to the investigation or remediation of any hazardous or toxic substances, or of wastes, pollutants or contaminants, except for (A) any such failure to comply with Environmental Laws, (B) any such failure to obtain or comply with Environmental Permits, or (C) any such receipt of any such notice of liability, in each case, that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(aa) Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act. There is and has been no failure on the part of the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, any of the Company’s directors or officers, in their capacities as such, to comply with any provision of the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith (the “Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act”) applicable to the Company.

(bb) Compliance with ERISA. None of the Company or its subsidiaries has incurred any liability for any prohibited transaction or funding deficiency or any complete or partial withdrawal liability with respect to any pension, profit sharing or other plan that is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries makes or ever has made a contribution and in which any employee of the Company or of any subsidiary is or has ever been a participant, which would, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change. With respect to such plans, the Company and each subsidiary is in compliance in all respects with all applicable provisions of ERISA, except where the failure to so comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Change.

(cc) Disclosure Controls. The Company and its subsidiaries maintain an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act and that has been designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, including controls and procedures designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company and its subsidiaries have carried out evaluations of the effectiveness of their disclosure controls and procedures as required by Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act.

(dd) Accounting Controls. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, each of the Company and its subsidiaries maintains a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of its financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles and to maintain accountability for its assets, (C) access to its assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s authorization and (D) the reported accountability for its assets is compared with existing assets at reasonable intervals.

(ee) Insurance. Each of the Company and its subsidiaries carries insurance in such amounts and covering such risks as it reasonably believes is adequate for the conduct of its business and the value of its properties.

(ff) No Unlawful Payments. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

(gg) Compliance with Money Laundering Laws. The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

(hh) Compliance with FCPA. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is aware of or has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation by such persons of the FCPA, including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA and the Company, its subsidiaries and, to the knowledge of the Company, its affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith. “FCPA” means Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder.

(ii) No Broker’s Fees. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares.

(jj) No Registration Rights. Except for the Registration Rights Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement, no person has the right to require the Company or any of its subsidiaries to register any securities for sale under the Securities Act by reason of the filing of the Registration Statement with the Commission, the issuance and sale of the Shares by the Company or, to the knowledge of the Company, the sale of the Shares to be sold by the Selling Stockholders hereunder.

(kk) No Stabilization. None of the Company or its subsidiaries has taken, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or that could reasonably be expected to, cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares.

(ll) Forward-Looking Statements. No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith.

(mm) Statistical and Market Data. The statistical and market-related data included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus are based on or derived from sources that the Company believes to be reliable and accurate in all material respects.

(nn) [Reserved].

(oo) [Reserved].

(pp) Status under the Securities Act. At the time of filing the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or any offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Securities Act) of the Shares and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

(qq) Plan of Reorganization. The First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Plan of Reorganization”) of Aleris International and its subsidiaries named therein (collectively the “Reorganizing Debtors”) was confirmed by order of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware entered on May 13, 2010, and no party has appealed such confirmation order or moved for revocation or reconsideration thereof. The Effective Date (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization) occurred on June 1, 2010. Except as provided in the Plan of Reorganization, all Claims (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization) against the Reorganizing Debtors have been discharged. Except as provided in the Plan of Reorganization, all Equity Interests (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization) of Aleris International prior to such Effective Date have been cancelled or discharged. Neither Aleris International nor any of its subsidiaries is currently, or has in the past been, in default in any material respect, and no event has occurred which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default in any material respect, in the due performance or observance of any material term, covenant or condition contained in the Plan of Reorganization.

4. Representations and Warranties of the Selling Stockholders. Each of the Selling Stockholders (and in the case of clause (h), solely the Type 2 Selling Stockholders) severally and not jointly represents and warrants to each Underwriter and the Company that:

(a) Required Consents; Authority. All consents, approvals, authorizations and orders necessary for the execution and delivery by such Selling Stockholder of this Agreement and the Power of Attorney (the “Power of Attorney”) and the Custody Agreement (the “Custody Agreement”) hereinafter referred to, to the extent such Selling Stockholder is a party thereto, and for the sale and delivery of the Shares to be sold by

such Selling Stockholder hereunder, have been obtained except (i) for the registration of the Shares under the Securities Act, (ii) for such registration as is required under the Exchange Act, (iii) for such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders or qualifications as may be required by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”), (iv) such as may be required by the securities or Blue Sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares, (v) such as will have been obtained prior to the Closing Date and (vi) for such consents, approvals, authorizations, or orders as would not impair in any material respect the ability of such Selling Stockholder to execute, deliver and perform the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney, to the extent a party thereto, and such Selling Stockholder has full right, power and authority to enter into this Agreement, the Power of Attorney and the Custody Agreement, to the extent such Selling Stockholder is a party thereto and to sell, assign, transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder; this Agreement, the Power of Attorney and the Custody Agreement have each been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder, to the extent such Selling Stockholder is a party thereto.

(b) No Conflicts. The execution, delivery and performance by such Selling Stockholder of this Agreement, the Power of Attorney and the Custody Agreement, to the extent such Selling Stockholder is a party thereto, the sale of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder and the consummation by such Selling Stockholder of the transactions contemplated herein or therein will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of such Selling Stockholder pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which such Selling Stockholder is a party or by which such Selling Stockholder is bound or to which any of the property or assets of such Selling Stockholder is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws or similar organizational documents of such Selling Stockholder or (iii) result in the violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory agency, except, in the case of clause (i) and (iii) above, for any breaches, defaults or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the ability of such Selling Stockholder to execute, deliver and perform the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Custody Agreement and the Power of Attorney, to the extent a party thereto.

(c) Title to Shares. Such Selling Shareholder has, and on the Closing Date, and any Additional Closing Date, will have, valid title to, or a valid “security entitlement” pursuant to Section 8-501 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code (the “NYUCC”) in respect of, the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder free and clear of all security interests, claims, liens, equities or other encumbrances and the legal right and power, and all authorization and approval required by law, to enter into this Agreement, and to sell, transfer and deliver the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder or a security entitlement in respect of such Shares. Assuming that each Underwriter acquires its interest in the Shares it has purchased under this Agreement from such Selling Stockholder without notice of any adverse claim (within the meaning of Section 8-105 of the NYUCC) with respect to the Shares, each Underwriter that has purchased such Shares

delivered on the Closing Date and any Additional Closing Date to DTC or other securities intermediary (within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(14) of the NYUCC) by making payment therefor as provided herein, and that has such Shares credited by book entry to the securities account or accounts (within the meaning of Section 8-501(a) of the NYUCC) of such Underwriters maintained with DTC or such other securities intermediary will have acquired a security entitlement (within the meaning of 8-102(a)(17) of the NYUCC) to such Shares purchased by such Underwriter, and no action based on an adverse claim (within the meaning of Sections 8-102(a)(1) and 8-502 of the NYUCC) may be asserted against such Underwriter with respect to such Shares. For purposes of this representation, such Selling Shareholder may assume that when such payment, delivery (if necessary) and crediting occur, (i) such Shares will have been registered in the name of Cede or another nominee designated by DTC, in each case on the Company’s share registry in accordance with its certificate of incorporation, bylaws and applicable law, (ii) DTC will be registered as a “clearing corporation” (and thus is a “securities intermediary”) within the meaning of Section 8-102(a)(5) of the NYUCC and (iii) appropriate entries to the accounts of the several Underwriters on the records of DTC will have been made pursuant to the NYUCC.

(d) No Stabilization. Such Selling Stockholder has not taken and will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Shares.

(e) Pricing Disclosure Package. The Pricing Disclosure Package, at the Applicable Time did not, and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, will not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the representations and warranties set forth in this subsection apply only to statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information relating to such Selling Stockholder which were furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto (such Selling Stockholder’s information; the “Selling Stockholder’s Information”).

(f) Issuer Free Writing Prospectus. Other than the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, such Selling Stockholder (including its agents and representatives, other than the Underwriters in their capacity as such) has not prepared, used, authorized, approved or referred to and will not prepare, use, authorize, approve or refer to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, other than (i) any document not constituting a prospectus pursuant to Section 2(a)(10)(a) of the Securities Act or Rule 134 under the Securities Act or (ii) the documents listed on Annex B hereto, each electronic road show and any other written communications approved in writing in advance by the Company and the Representatives.

(g) Registration Statement and Prospectus. As of the applicable effective date of the Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, the Registration Statement and any such post-effective amendment did not and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading; and as of the date of the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto and as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that the representations and warranties set forth in this subsection apply only to statements or omissions made in reliance on and in conformity with the Selling Stockholder’s Information.

(h) Material Information. As of the date hereof, as of the Closing Date and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the sale of the Shares by such Type 2 Selling Stockholder is not and will not be prompted by any material information concerning the Company which is not set forth in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus.

Each of the Selling Stockholders represents and warrants that certificates in negotiable form representing all of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholders hereunder other than any such Shares to be issued upon the exercise of Options, have been, and each of the Selling Stockholders who is selling Shares upon the exercise of Options represents and warrants that duly completed and executed irrevocable Option exercise notices, in the forms specified by the relevant Option Agreement, with respect to all of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholders hereunder have been, placed in custody under a Custody Agreement relating to such Shares, in the form heretofore furnished to you, duly executed and delivered by such Selling Stockholder to Computershare Inc., as custodian (the “Custodian”), and that such Selling Stockholder has duly executed and delivered Powers of Attorney, to the extent such Selling Stockholder shall be a party thereto, in the form heretofore furnished to you, appointing the person or persons indicated in Schedule II hereto, and each of them, as such Selling Stockholder’s Attorneys-in-fact (the “Attorneys-in-Fact” or any one of them the “Attorney-in Fact”) with authority to execute and deliver this Agreement on behalf of such Selling Stockholder, to determine the purchase price to be paid by the Underwriters to the Selling Stockholders as provided herein, to authorize the delivery of the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder, to authorize (if applicable) the exercise of the Options to be exercised with respect to the Shares to be sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder and otherwise to act on behalf of such Selling Stockholder in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Custody Agreement.

Each of the Selling Stockholders specifically agrees that the Shares represented by the certificates or the irrevocable Option exercise notice, in either case held in custody for such Selling Stockholder under the Custody Agreement, are subject to the interests of the Underwriters hereunder, and that the arrangements made by such Selling Stockholder for such custody, and the appointment by such Selling Stockholder of the Attorneys-in-Fact by the Power of Attorney, are to that extent irrevocable. Each of the Selling Stockholders specifically agrees that the obligations of such Selling Stockholder hereunder shall not be terminated by operation of law, whether by the death or incapacity of any individual Selling Stockholder, or, in the case of an estate or trust, by the death or incapacity of any executor or trustee or the termination of such estate or trust, or in the case of a partnership, corporation or similar organization, by the dissolution of such partnership, corporation or organization, or by the occurrence of any other event. If any

individual Selling Stockholder or any such executor or trustee should die or become incapacitated, or if any such estate or trust should be terminated, or if any such partnership, corporation or similar organization should be dissolved, or if any other such event should occur, before the delivery of the Shares hereunder, certificates representing such Shares shall be delivered by or on behalf of such Selling Stockholder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Custody Agreement, and actions taken by the Attorneys-in-Fact pursuant to the Powers of Attorney shall be as valid as if such death, incapacity, termination, dissolution or other event had not occurred, regardless of whether or not the Custodian, the Attorneys-in-Fact, or any of them, shall have received notice of such death, incapacity, termination, dissolution or other event.

5. Further Agreements of the Company. The Company covenants and agrees with each Underwriter that:

(a) Required Filings. The Company will file the final Prospectus with the Commission within the time periods specified by Rule 424(b) and Rule 430A, 430B or 430C under the Securities Act, will file any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act; and will furnish copies of the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (to the extent not previously delivered) to the Underwriters in New York City as soon as practicable but not later than 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on the business day next succeeding the date of this Agreement or such other time as otherwise agreed to by the Representatives in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request.

(b) Delivery of Copies. The Company will deliver, without charge, (i) to the Representatives, a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto, in each case including all exhibits and consents filed therewith; and (ii) to each Underwriter (A) a conformed copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and each amendment thereto (without exhibits) and (B) during the Prospectus Delivery Period (as defined below), as many copies of the Prospectus (including all amendments and supplements thereto and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus) as the Representatives may reasonably request. As used herein, the term “Prospectus Delivery Period” means such period of time after the first date of the public offering of the Shares as in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters a prospectus relating to the Shares is required by law to be delivered (or required to be delivered but for Rule 172 under the Securities Act) in connection with sales of the Shares by any Underwriter or dealer.

(c) Amendments or Supplements, Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses. Before using, authorizing, approving, referring to or filing any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, and before filing any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, the Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel for the Underwriters a copy of the proposed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, amendment or supplement for review and will not use, authorize, approve, refer to or file any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or file any such proposed amendment or supplement to which the Representatives reasonably object.

(d) Notice to the Representatives. The Company will advise the Representatives promptly, and confirm such advice in writing (which may be electronic), (i) when the Registration Statement has become effective; (ii) when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective; (iii) when any supplement to the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any amendment to the Prospectus has been filed; (iv) of any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or the receipt of any comments from the Commission relating to the Registration Statement or any other request by the Commission for any additional information; (v) of the issuance by the Commission of any order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Securities Act; (vi) of the occurrence of any event within the Prospectus Delivery Period as a result of which the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package or any such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading; and (vii) of the receipt by the Company of any notice with respect to any suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offer and sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose; and the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus, any of the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or suspending any such qualification of the Shares and, if any such order is issued, will obtain as soon as reasonably practicable the withdrawal thereof.

(e) Ongoing Compliance. (1) If during the Prospectus Delivery Period (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Prospectus to comply with law, the Company will promptly notify the Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate such amendments or supplements to the Prospectus as may be necessary so that the statements in the Prospectus as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Prospectus is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Prospectus will comply with law and (2) if at any time prior to the Closing Date (i) any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which the Pricing Disclosure Package as then amended or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Pricing Disclosure Package is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading or (ii) it is necessary to amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package to comply with law, the Company will promptly notify the

Underwriters thereof and forthwith prepare and, subject to paragraph (c) above, file with the Commission (to the extent required) and furnish to the Underwriters and to such dealers as the Representatives may designate, such amendments or supplements to the Pricing Disclosure Package as may be necessary so that the statements in the Pricing Disclosure Package as so amended or supplemented will not, in the light of the circumstances existing when the Pricing Disclosure Package is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Pricing Disclosure Package will comply with law.

(f) Blue Sky Compliance. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Shares for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives shall reasonably request and will continue such qualifications in effect so long as required for distribution of the Shares; provided that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other entity or as a dealer in securities in any such jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction if it is not otherwise so subject.

(g) Earning Statement. The Company will make generally available to its security holders and the Representatives as soon as reasonably practicable an earning statement that satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 of the Commission promulgated thereunder covering a period of at least twelve months beginning with the first fiscal quarter of the Company occurring after the “effective date” (as defined in Rule 158) of the Registration Statement.

(h) Clear Market. For a period of 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, the Company will not (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or file with the Commission a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Stock, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, or (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Stock or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, without the prior written consent of X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC (“X.X. Xxxxxx”). The foregoing sentence shall not apply to (A) the Shares to be sold hereunder, (B) any shares of Stock issued by the Company upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the Closing Date, (C) any shares of Stock issued or options to purchase Stock granted pursuant to an equity incentive plan or an employee benefit plan of the Company referred to in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, including shares of Common Stock to be registered on any registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act with respect to the foregoing, (D) issuance of any Shares with respect to the settlement of vested restricted stock and restricted stock units pursuant to the such employee benefits plans or (E) any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company to owners of businesses which the Company or any of its subsidiaries may acquire in the future, whether by merger,

acquisition of assets, property or capital stock or otherwise, as consideration for the acquisition of such businesses or to management employees of such businesses in connection with such acquisitions; provided that no more than an aggregate of 10% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the date of such issuance are issued as consideration in connection with all such acquisitions; provided further, that the new holders of such shares of Common Stock issued as consideration shall be required to execute and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A-3 hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period, the restrictions imposed by this Agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event unless X.X. Xxxxxx waives such extension in writing.

X.X. Xxxxxx, in its sole discretion, agrees to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up letter described in Section 8(n) hereof for an officer or director of the Company that provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, if the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver.

(i) Use of Proceeds. The Company will apply the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares by the Company as described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus under the heading “Use of proceeds.”

(j) No Stabilization. The Company will not take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in any stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Stock.

(k) Exchange Listing. The Company will use its reasonable best efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance, the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”).

(l) Reports. For a period of two years from the Closing Date, the Company will furnish to the Representatives, as soon as they are available, copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to holders of the Shares, and copies of any reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange or automatic quotation system; provided the Company will be deemed to have furnished such reports and financial statements to the Representatives to the extent they are filed on the Commission’s Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system.

(m) Record Retention. The Company will, pursuant to reasonable procedures developed in good faith, retain copies of each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus that is not filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 433 under the Securities Act.

(n) Filings. The Company will file with the Commission such information as may be required by Rule 463 under the Securities Act.

6. Further Agreements of the Selling Stockholders. Each of the Selling Stockholders covenants and agrees with each Underwriter that:

(a) Clear Market. Prior to or as of the date hereof, such Selling Stockholder shall execute and deliver a “lock-up” agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit X-0, X-0 or A-3, as applicable.

(b) Tax Form. It will deliver to the Representatives prior to or at the Closing Date a properly completed and executed United States Treasury Department Form W-9 (or other applicable form or statement specified by the Treasury Department regulations in lieu thereof) in order to facilitate the Underwriters’ documentation of their compliance with the reporting and withholding provisions of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 with respect to the transactions herein contemplated.

7. Certain Agreements of the Underwriters. Each Underwriter hereby represents and agrees that:

(a) It has not used, authorized use of, referred to or participated in the planning for use of, and will not use, authorize use of, refer to or participate in the planning for use of, any “free writing prospectus,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act (which term includes use of any written information furnished to the Commission by the Company and not incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement and any press release issued by the Company) other than (i) a free writing prospectus that contains no “issuer information” (as defined in Rule 433(h)(2) under the Securities Act) that was not included (including through incorporation by reference) in the Preliminary Prospectus or a previously filed Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, (ii) any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus listed on Annex B or prepared pursuant to Section 3(c) or Section 4(c) above (including any electronic road show), or (iii) any free writing prospectus prepared by such underwriter and approved by the Company in advance in writing (each such free writing prospectus referred to in clauses (i) or (iii), an “Underwriter Free Writing Prospectus”).

(b) It has not and will not, without the prior written consent of the Company, use any free writing prospectus that contains the final terms of the Shares unless such terms have previously been included in a free writing prospectus filed with the Commission; provided that any Underwriter using such term sheet shall notify the Company, and provide a copy of such term sheet to the Company, prior to, or substantially concurrently with, the first use of such term sheet.

(c) It is not subject to any pending proceeding under Section 8A of the Securities Act with respect to the offering (and will promptly notify the Company and the Selling Stockholders if any such proceeding against it is initiated during the Prospectus Delivery Period).

8. Conditions of Underwriters’ Obligations. The obligation of each Underwriter to purchase the Underwritten Shares on the Closing Date or the Option Shares on the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, as provided herein is subject to the performance by the Company and each of the Selling Stockholders of their respective covenants and other obligations hereunder and to the following additional conditions:

(a) Registration Compliance; No Stop Order. No order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceeding for such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A under the Securities Act shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission; the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been timely filed with the Commission under the Securities Act (in the case of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, to the extent required by Rule 433 under the Securities Act) and in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof; and all requests by the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the Representatives.

(b) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company and the Selling Stockholders contained in this Agreement shall be true and correct on and as of the Applicable Time and on and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date; the statements of the Company’s officers and each of the Selling Stockholders made pursuant to any certificate delivered in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be true and correct on and as of the date made and on and as of the Closing Date; and each of the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall have in all material respects performed all covenants and agreements and satisfied all conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date.

(c) No Downgrade. Subsequent to the earlier of (A) the Applicable Time and (B) the execution and delivery of this Agreement, if there are any debt securities or preferred stock of or guaranteed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries that are rated by a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Securities Act, (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating accorded any such debt securities or preferred stock and (ii) no such organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, or has changed its outlook with respect to, its rating of any such debt securities or preferred stock (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading).

(d) No Material Adverse Change. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case, exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto after the date hereof), subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case, exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto after the date hereof), none of the Company or any of its subsidiaries shall have sustained any loss or interference with respect to its business or properties from fire,

flood, hurricane, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any strike, labor dispute, slow down or work stoppage or from any legal or governmental proceeding, order or decree, which loss or interference, individually or in the aggregate, has or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(e) Officer’s Certificate. The Underwriters shall have received certificates of (x) the Company, dated the Closing Date, signed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, President or any Senior Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer, to the effect that:

(i) the representations and warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement are true and correct on and as of the date hereof, on and as of the Closing Date or on and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be and the Company has performed all covenants and agreements and satisfied all conditions in all material respects on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date; and

(ii) at the Closing Date or on and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, since the date hereof or since the date of the most recent financial statements in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case, exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto after the date hereof), otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (in each case, exclusive of any amendment or supplement thereto after the date hereof), no event or development has occurred, and no information has become known, that, individually or in the aggregate, has or would be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect.

and (y) each of the Selling Stockholders (A) confirming that the representations of such Selling Stockholder set forth in Sections 4(e), 4(f) and 4(g) hereof is true and correct on and as of the date hereof, on and as of the Closing Date or on and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be and (B) confirming that the other representations and warranties of such Selling Stockholder in this agreement are true and correct on and as of the date hereof, on and as of the Closing Date or on and as of the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be and that the such Selling Stockholder has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on their part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to such Closing Date.

(f) Comfort Letters. On the date hereof, the Underwriters shall have received from the Independent Accountants a comfort letter dated the date hereof, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters with respect to the audited and any unaudited or pro forma financial information in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus. On the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Underwriters shall have received from the Independent Accountants a comfort letter dated the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, which shall refer to the comfort letter dated the date hereof and reaffirm or update as of a more recent date, the information stated in the comfort letter dated the date hereof and similarly address the audited and any unaudited or pro forma financial information in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(g) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Company. On the Closing Date, the Underwriters shall have received the opinion, dated as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and addressed to the Underwriters, of Fried, Frank, Harris, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, counsel for the Company, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters. In rendering such opinion, such counsel shall have received and may rely upon such certificates and other documents and information as it may reasonably request to pass upon such matters.

(h) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Selling Stockholders. Xxxx, Weiss, Rifkind, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, Wachtell, Lipton, Xxxxx & Katz, Kirkland & Xxxxx LLP and [ ], each counsel for certain of the Selling Stockholders, shall have furnished to the Representatives, at the request of the Selling Stockholders, their written opinions, dated the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and addressed to the Underwriters, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

(i) Opinion of General Counsel of the Company. On the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Underwriters shall have received the opinion, dated as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and addressed to the Underwriters, of the General Counsel of the Company in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

(j) Opinion and 10b-5 Statement of Counsel for the Underwriters. On the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Underwriters shall have received the opinion, in form and substance satisfactory to the Underwriters dated as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, and addressed to the Underwriters, of Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, with respect to certain legal matters relating to this Agreement and such other related matters as the Underwriters may reasonably require. In rendering such opinion, Xxxxxx Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxx LLP shall have received and may rely upon such certificates and other documents and information as it may reasonably request to pass upon such matters.

(k) No Legal Impediment to Issuance and/or Sale. No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any federal, state or foreign governmental or regulatory authority that would, as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares by the Company or the sale of the Shares by the Selling Stockholders; and no injunction or order of any federal, state or foreign court shall have been issued that would, as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, prevent the issuance or sale of the Shares by the Company or the sale of the Shares by the Selling Stockholders.

(l) Good Standing. The Representatives shall have received on and as of the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, satisfactory evidence of the good standing of the Company and its subsidiaries in their respective jurisdictions of organization and the Company’s good standing as a foreign entity in such other jurisdictions as the Representatives may reasonably request, in each case to the extent such concept exists in such jurisdictions, in writing or any standard form of telecommunication from the appropriate governmental authorities of such jurisdictions.

(m) Exchange Listing. The Shares to be delivered on the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, shall have been approved for listing on the Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance.

(n) Lock-up Agreements. The “lock-up” agreements, each substantially in the form of Exhibit X-0, X-0 or A-3 hereto, as applicable, between X.X. Xxxxxx and certain shareholders, officers and directors of the Company, delivered to you on or before the date hereof, shall be full force and effect on the Closing Date or Additional Closing Date, as the case may be.

(o) Additional Documents. On or prior to the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall have furnished to the Representatives such further certificates and documents as the Representatives may reasonably request.

All opinions, letters, certificates and evidence mentioned above or elsewhere in this Agreement shall be deemed to be in compliance with the provisions hereof only if they are in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters.

9. Indemnification and Contribution.

(a) Indemnification of the Underwriters by the Company. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, reasonable legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim asserted, as such fees and expenses are incurred), joint or several, that arise out of, or are based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, not misleading, (ii) or any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Pricing Disclosure Package (including any Pricing Disclosure Package that has subsequently been amended), or caused by any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case except insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the information described as such in subsection (c) below.

(b) Indemnification of the Underwriters by the Selling Stockholders. Each of the Selling Stockholders severally and not jointly agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and each person, if any, who controls such Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above; provided that each Selling Stockholder shall be liable only to the extent that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission has been made in the Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) including the Rule 430A Information, any preliminary prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity with such Selling Stockholder’s Information; provided further, that the liability under this subsection of each Selling Stockholder shall be limited to an amount (the “Selling Stockholder Amount”) equal to the aggregate net proceeds after underwriting commissions and discounts, but before expenses, to such Selling Stockholder from the sale of Shares sold by such Selling Stockholder hereunder.

(c) Indemnification of the Company and the Selling Stockholders. Each Underwriter agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act and each of the Selling Stockholders to the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities that arise out of, or are based upon, any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company in writing by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or any Pricing Disclosure Package, it being understood and agreed upon that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the concession and reallowance figures appearing in the third paragraph under the caption “Underwriting,” the information contained in the seventh and eighth paragraphs describing passive market making under the caption “Underwriting,” and the information contained in the paragraph describing the distribution of prospectuses by electronic means under the caption “Underwriting—Electronic Offer, Sale and Distribution of Shares.”

(d) Notice and Procedures. If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against any person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to the preceding paragraphs of this Section 9, such person (the “Indemnified Person”) shall promptly notify the person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the “Indemnifying Person”) in writing; provided that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 9 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability

that it may have to an Indemnified Person otherwise than under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 9. If any such proceeding shall be brought or asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person (who shall not, without the consent of the Indemnified Person, be counsel to the Indemnifying Person) to represent the Indemnified Person in such proceeding and shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding, as incurred. In any such proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interest between them. It is understood and agreed that the Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate firm (in addition to any local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses shall be paid or reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm for any Underwriter, its affiliates, directors and officers and any control persons of such Underwriter shall be designated in writing by the Representatives, any such separate firm for the Company, its directors, its officers who signed the Registration Statement and any control persons of the Company shall be designated in writing by the Company and any such separate firm for the Selling Stockholders shall be designated in writing by the Attorneys-in-Fact or any one of them. The Indemnifying Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such settlement, unless such failure to reimburse the Indemnifying Person is based on a dispute with a good faith basis as to either the obligation of the Indemnifying Person arising under this Section 9 to indemnify the Indemnified Person or the amount of such obligation and the Indemnifying Person shall have notified the Indemnified Person of such good faith dispute prior to the date of such settlement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement (x) includes an unconditional release of such Indemnified Person, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Indemnified Person, from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and (y) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.

(e) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) above is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, from the offering of the Shares or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholders, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the net proceeds (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the Selling Stockholders from the sale of the Shares and the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters in connection therewith, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover of the Prospectus, bear to the aggregate offering price of the Shares. The relative fault of the Company and the Selling Stockholders, on the one hand, and the Underwriters on the other, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Selling Stockholders or by the Underwriters and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.

(f) Limitation on Liability. The Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 9 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Selling Stockholders or the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (e) above. The amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses, claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (e) above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any reasonable legal or other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 9, in no event shall an Underwriter be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriter with respect to the offering of the Shares exceeds the amount of any damages that such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations hereunder and not joint. The Selling Stockholders’ obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 9 are several in proportion to their respective Selling Stockholder Amounts and not joint, and shall be limited to an amount equal to the Selling Stockholder Amount.

(g) Non-Exclusive Remedies. The remedies provided for in this Section 9 are not exclusive and shall not limit any rights or remedies which may otherwise be available to any Indemnified Person at law or in equity.

10. Effectiveness of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by the parties hereto.

11. Termination.

(a) This Agreement may be terminated in the absolute discretion of the Representatives, by notice to the Company and the Selling Stockholders, if after the execution and delivery of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date or, in the case of the Option Shares, prior to the Additional Closing Date,

(i)(a) any of the Company or its subsidiaries shall have sustained any loss or interference with respect to its businesses or properties from fire, flood, hurricane, accident or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any strike, labor dispute, slow down or work stoppage or any legal or governmental proceeding, which loss or interference, in the judgment of the Representatives, has had or has a Material Adverse Effect, or (b) there shall have been, in the judgment of the Representatives, any event or development that, individually or in the aggregate, has or could be reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect such that in either case of (a) or (b) it would be impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or delivery of the Shares as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus;

(ii) trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange or NASDAQ shall have been suspended or materially limited or minimum or maximum prices shall have been established on any such exchange or market;

(iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities shall have been declared by New York or United States authorities or a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States shall have occurred; or

(iv) there shall have been (A) an outbreak or escalation of hostilities between the United States and any foreign power, (B) an outbreak or escalation of any other insurrection or armed conflict involving the United States or any other national or international calamity or emergency or (C) any material adverse change in the financial markets of the United States which, in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above and in the judgment of the Representatives, makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the offering or the delivery of the Shares as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

(b) Termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 11 shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 13 hereof.

12. Defaulting Underwriter.

(a) If, on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, any Underwriter defaults on its obligation to purchase the Shares that it has agreed to purchase hereunder on such date, the non-defaulting Underwriters may in their discretion arrange for the purchase of such Shares by other persons satisfactory to the Company and the Selling Stockholders on the terms contained in this Agreement. If, within 36 hours after any such default by any Underwriter, the non-defaulting Underwriters do not arrange for the purchase of such Shares, then the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall be entitled to a further period of 36 hours within which to procure other persons satisfactory to the non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase such Shares on such terms. If other persons become obligated or agree to purchase the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter, either the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company and the Selling Stockholders may postpone the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, for up to five full business days in order to effect any changes that in the opinion of counsel for the Company, counsel for the Selling Stockholders or counsel for the Underwriters may be necessary in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or in any other document or arrangement, and the Company agrees to promptly prepare any amendment or supplement to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus that effects any such changes. As used in this Agreement, the term “Underwriter” includes, for all purposes of this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, any person not listed in Schedule 1 hereto that, pursuant to this Section 12, purchases Shares that a defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase.

(b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholders as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares that remain unpurchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of Shares to be purchased on such date, then the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall have the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of Shares that such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder on such date plus such Underwriter’s pro rata share (based on the number of Shares that such Underwriter agreed to purchase on such date) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made.

(c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the non-defaulting Underwriters, the Company and the Selling Stockholders as provided in paragraph (a) above, the aggregate number of Shares that remain unpurchased on the Closing Date or the Additional Closing Date, as the case may be, exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate amount of Shares to be purchased on such date, or if the Company and the Selling Stockholders shall not exercise the right described in paragraph (b) above, then this Agreement or, with respect to any Additional Closing Date, the obligation of the Underwriters to purchase Shares on the Additional Closing Date, shall terminate without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 12 shall be without liability on the part of the Company, except that the Company and the Selling Stockholders will continue to be liable for the payment of expenses as set forth in Section 13 hereof and except that the provisions of Section 9 hereof shall not terminate and shall remain in effect.

(d) Nothing contained herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter of any liability it may have to the Company, the Selling Stockholders or any non-defaulting Underwriter for damages caused by its default.

13. Payment of Expenses.

(a) Whether or not the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are consummated or this Agreement is terminated, the Company and the Selling Stockholders (with such expenses shared as between them in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement) will pay or cause to be paid all costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation, (i) the costs incident to the authorization, issuance, sale, preparation and delivery of the Shares and any taxes payable in that connection; (ii) the costs incident to the preparation, printing and filing under the Securities Act of the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (including all exhibits, amendments and supplements thereto) and the distribution thereof; (iii) the costs of reproducing and distributing the Underwriting Agreement; (iv) the fees and expenses of the Company’s counsel and independent accountants; (v) the fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration or qualification and determination of eligibility for investment of the Shares under the state or foreign securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may designate and the preparation, printing and distribution of a Blue Sky Memorandum (including the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith); (vi) the cost of preparing stock certificates; (vii) the costs and charges of any transfer agent and any registrar; (viii) all expenses and application fees incurred in connection with any filing with, and clearance of the offering by, FINRA; (ix) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any “road show” presentation to potential investors (it being understood that the Underwriters, collectively, shall bear one-half of the costs associated with any aircraft chartered in connection with the road show); and (x) all expenses and application fees related to the listing of the Shares on the Exchange.

(b) If (i) this Agreement is terminated pursuant to Section 11(a)(i), (ii) the Company or the Selling Stockholders for any reason fail to tender the Shares for delivery to the Underwriters or (iii) the Underwriters decline to purchase the Shares for any reason permitted under Section 8 of this Agreement, the Company and the Selling Stockholders (with such expenses shared as between them in accordance with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement) agree to reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including the fees and expenses of their counsel) reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in connection with this Agreement and the offering contemplated hereby.

14. Persons Entitled to Benefit of Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the officers and directors and any controlling persons referred to in Section 9 hereof. Nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any other person any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement or any provision contained herein. No purchaser of Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor merely by reason of such purchase.

15. Survival. The respective indemnities, rights of contribution, representations, warranties and agreements of the Company, the Selling Stockholders and the Underwriters contained in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of the Company, the Selling Stockholders or the Underwriters pursuant to this Agreement or any certificate delivered pursuant hereto shall survive the delivery of and payment for the Shares and shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any termination of this Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of the Company, the Selling Stockholders or the Underwriters.

16. Certain Defined Terms. For purposes of this Agreement, (a) except where otherwise expressly provided, the term “affiliate” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (b) the term “business day” means any day other than a day on which banks are permitted or required to be closed in New York City; and (c) the term “subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

17. Miscellaneous.

(a) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted and confirmed by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be given to the Representatives c/o X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC, 380 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000 (fax: (000) 000-0000); Attention: Equity Syndicate Desk; Barclays Capital Inc., [ ]; Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., [ ]; Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated, [ ]; and Xxxxxxx, Sachs & Co., [ ]. Notices to the Company shall be given to it at Aleris Corporation, 25000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000 (fax: (000) 000-0000); Attention: General Counsel; with a copy to Fried, Frank, Harris, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxxx LLP, Onx Xxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000, Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq. Notices to the Selling Stockholders shall be given to the Attorneys-in-Fact at Aleris Corporation, 25000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000, (fax: (000) 000-0000); Attention: Xxxx X. Xxxxx/Xxxxx Xxxxxx.

(b) Governing Law. This Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York applicable to agreements made and to be performed in such state.

(c) Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in counterparts (which may include counterparts delivered by any standard form of telecommunication), each of which shall be an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

(d) Amendments or Waivers. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, nor any consent or approval to any departure therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

(e) Headings. The headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of, or to affect the meaning or interpretation of, this Agreement.

If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing in the space provided below.


Very truly yours,

ALERIS CORPORATION

By:
	Name:	Xxxx X. Xxxxx
	Title:	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

By:
	Name:	Xxxx X. Xxxxx
	Title:	Attorney-in-Fact



By:
	Name:	Xxxxx Xxxxxx
	Title:	Attorney-in-Fact


As Attorneys-in-Fact acting on behalf of each of the Selling Stockholders named in Schedule 3 to this Agreement.

OCM OPPORTUNITIES ALS HOLDINGS, L.P.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



OCM HIGH YIELD PLUS ALS HOLDINGS, L.P.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



OAKTREE EUROPEAN CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES HOLDINGS, LTD.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



OAKTREE EUROPEAN CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES II, LTD.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



OCM FIE, LLC

By:
		Name:
		Title:



APOLLO ALS HOLDINGS II, L.P.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



110 XXXXXXX, X.X.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



CASTLE HILL III CLO, LTD.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



LOAN FUNDING XI, LLC

By:
		Name:
		Title:



XXXX POINT CLO

By:
		Name:
		Title:



PROSPECT HARBOR CREDIT PARTNERS, L.P.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



RACE POINT II CLO, LIMITED

By:
		Name:
		Title:



RACE POINT III CLO

By:
		Name:
		Title:



RACE POINT IV CLO, LTD.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



SANKATY CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES (OFFSHORE MASTER) IV, L.P.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



SANKATY CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES II L.P.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



SANKATY CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES III, L.P.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



SANKATY CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES IV, L.P.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



SANKATY HIGH YIELD PARTNERS III, L.P.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



SANKATY SPECIAL SITUATIONS I, L.P.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



SANKATY CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES, L.P.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



SANKATY HIGH YIELD PARTNERS II, L.P.

By:
		Name:
		Title:



SR GROUP, LLC

By:
		Name:
		Title:



SSS FUNDING II, LLC

By:
		Name:
		Title:


For itself and on behalf of the several Underwriters listed in Schedule 1 hereto.

Accepted: , 2012

X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES LLC

By:
		Authorized Signatory



BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

By:
		Authorized Signatory



DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES, INC.

By:
		Authorized Signatory





XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX & XXXXX INCORPORATED

By:
		Authorized Signatory



XXXXXXX, SACHS & CO.

By:
		Authorized Signatory

Schedule 1


Underwriter		Number of Shares
X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC
Barclays Capital Inc.
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.
Xxxxxxx Lynch, Pierce, Xxxxxx & Xxxxx Incorporated
Xxxxxxx, Sachs & Co.

Total

Sch. 1-1

Schedule 2


Type 1 Selling Stockholders:	Number of Underwritten Shares:	Number of Option Shares:
Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Apollo ALS Holdings II, L.P.
Sankaty Advisors, LLC

Sch. 2-1

Schedule 3


Type 2 Selling Stockholders:		Number of Underwritten Shares:		Number of Option Shares:

Annex B-1

Annex B

a.	Pricing Disclosure Package

[list each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus to be included in the Pricing Disclosure Package]

[b.	Pricing Information Provided Orally by Underwriters]

Annex-A-1-2

Exhibit A-1

LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

(TYPE 1 SELLING STOCKHOLDERS)

[ ] , 2012

X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES LLC

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX & XXXXX INCORPORATED

XXXXXXX, SACHS & CO.

As Representatives of the

several Underwriters listed

in Schedule 1 hereto

c/o X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC

380 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx

Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000

Re:

Aleris Corporation—Initial Public Offering

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned understands that you, as Representatives of the several Underwriters, propose to enter into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Aleris Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the Selling Stockholders listed on Schedule 2 to the Underwriting Agreement, providing for the public offering (the “Public Offering”) by the several Underwriters named in Schedule 1 to the Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriters”), of common stock of the Company (the “Securities”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Underwriting Agreement.

In consideration of the Underwriters’ agreement to purchase and make the Public Offering of the Securities, and for other good and valuable consideration receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned hereby agrees that, without the prior written consent of X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC (“X.X. Xxxxxx”), on behalf of the Underwriters, the undersigned will not, during the period ending 180 days after the date of the prospectus relating to the Public Offering (the “Prospectus”), (1) offer, pledge, sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase, or other

Exhibit A-1

wise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common Stock, $0.01 per share par value, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (including without limitation, Common Stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant), or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock or such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (3) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock without the prior written consent of X.X. Xxxxxx, in each case other than any (A) Securities to be sold by the undersigned pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, (B) transfers of shares of Common Stock as a bona fide gift or gifts, (C) distributions of shares of Common Stock to members, partners or stockholders of the undersigned, (D) transfers of shares of Common Stock to funds or other entities under common control or management with the undersigned, (E) transfers of shares of Common Stock to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned and (F) bona fide pledges of Common Stock by the undersigned pursuant to customary financing transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided that (i) in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (B), (C), (D) or (E) each recipient (if not already party to a lock-up letter similar to this Letter Agreement) shall execute and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter in the form of this paragraph and (ii) in the case of any pledge of Common Stock pursuant to clause (F), the pledgee shall, if such pledge is in existence, execute and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter in the form of this paragraph upon receipt of such Common Stock, and if such pledge occurs in the future, execute and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter in the form of this paragraph at the time such pledge is granted; provided, further, that, in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (B), (C), (D) or (E), to the extent that any party (donor, donee, transferor or transferee) is required to make a filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer or distribution (other than a Form 5 made after the expiration of the 180 day period referred to above), then the undersigned shall have delivered written notice to X.X. Xxxxxx no less than two business days prior to such transfer or distribution. If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, the undersigned further agrees that the foregoing provisions shall be equally applicable to any Company-directed Securities the undersigned may purchase in the Public Offering.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (1) during the last 17 days of the 180-day restricted period, the Company issues an earnings release or material news or a material event relating to the Company occurs; or (2) prior to the expiration of the 180-day restricted period, the Company announces that it will release earnings results during the 16-day period beginning on the last day of the 180-day period, the restrictions imposed by this Letter Agreement shall continue to apply until the expiration of the 18-day period beginning on the issuance of the earnings release or the occurrence of the material news or material event, in each case, unless X.X. Xxxxxx waives such extension in writing.

Exhibit A-2

Furthermore, the undersigned may sell shares of Common Stock, debt securities or preferred securities purchased by the undersigned on the open market following the Public Offering if (i) such sales are not required to be reported under Section 16 or Sections 13(d) or (g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and (ii) the undersigned does not otherwise voluntarily effect any public filing or report regarding such sales.

Nothing in this Letter Agreement shall prohibit any party hereto from converting or exchanging any debt securities or preferred stock held by it into or for equity securities of the Company, which equity securities shall be subject to the terms of this Letter Agreement.

In addition, the restrictions described in this Letter Agreement shall not apply to tenders of shares of Common Stock, debt securities or preferred securities made in response to a bona fide third party take-over bid made to all holders of shares of Common Stock, debt securities or preferred securities, as applicable, or any other acquisition transaction whereby all or substantially all of the shares of Common Stock, debt securities or preferred stock are acquired by a third party. To the extent that X.X. Xxxxxx provides a consent described in paragraphs 2 or 3 of this letter to any Type 1 Selling Stockholder that is a signatory to a similar agreement to this Letter Agreement, X.X. Xxxxxx and the Company shall promptly notify the undersigned within 48 hours of such consent, which shall also be provided on a pro rata basis to the undersigned (such right to be consistent with the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement).

In furtherance of the foregoing, the Company, and any duly appointed transfer agent for the registration or transfer of the securities described herein, are hereby authorized to decline to make any transfer of securities if such transfer would constitute a violation or breach of this Letter Agreement.

The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to enter into this Letter Agreement. All authority herein conferred or agreed to be conferred and any obligations of the undersigned shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs or personal representatives of the undersigned.

The undersigned understands that, if (i) the Company withdraws the Registration Statement prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, (ii) the Company notifies the undersigned in writing that it does not intend to proceed with the Public Offering, (iii) the Underwriting Agreement does not become effective on or before June 15, 2012 (the “Underwriting Agreement Effective Date”), subject to the right of the Company on or before June 1, 2012 to extend the Underwriting Agreement Effective Date to July 16, 2012 or (iv) the Underwriting Agreement (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) shall terminate or be terminated prior to payment for and delivery of the Common Stock to be sold thereunder, then the undersigned shall be released from all obligations under this Letter Agreement. The undersigned understands that the Underwriters are entering into the Underwriting Agreement and proceeding with the Public Offering in reliance upon this Letter Agreement.

Exhibit A-3

This Letter Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Letter Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.


Very truly yours,

By:
		Name:
		Title:

Exhibit X-0

Xxxxxxx X-0

LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

(TYPE 2 SELLING STOCHOLDERS)

[ ], 2012

X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES LLC

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX & XXXXX INCORPORATED

XXXXXXX, SACHS & CO.

As Representatives of the

several Underwriters listed

in Schedule 1 hereto

c/o X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC

000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx

Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000

Re:

Aleris Corporation—Initial Public Offering

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Exhibit A-2-1

par value, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock (including without limitation, Common Stock or such other securities which may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the undersigned in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and securities which may be issued upon exercise of a stock option or warrant), or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge or disposition, (2) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock or such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (1) or (2) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise or (3) make any demand for or exercise any right with respect to the registration of any shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock without the prior written consent of X.X. Xxxxxx, in each case other than any (A) Securities to be sold by the undersigned pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, (B) transfers of shares of Common Stock as a bona fide gift or gifts, (C) distributions of shares of Common Stock to members, partners or stockholders of the undersigned, (D) transfers of shares of Common Stock to funds or other entities under common control or management with the undersigned, (E) transfers of shares of Common Stock to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or the immediate family of the undersigned and (F) bona fide pledges of Common Stock by the undersigned pursuant to customary financing transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided that (i) in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (B), (C), (D) or (E) each recipient (if not already party to a lock-up letter similar to this Letter Agreement) shall execute and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter in the form of this paragraph and (ii) in the case of any pledge of Common Stock pursuant to clause (F), the pledgee shall, if such pledge is in existence, execute and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter in the form of this paragraph upon receipt of such Common Stock, and if such pledge occurs in the future, execute and deliver to the Representatives a lock-up letter in the form of this paragraph at the time such pledge is granted; provided, further, that, in the case of any transfer or distribution pursuant to clause (B), (C), (D) or (E), to the extent that any party (donor, donee, transferor or transferee) is required to make a filing under the Securities Exchanger Act of 1934, as amended, or other public announcement shall be required or shall be made voluntarily in connection with such transfer or distribution (other than a Form 5 made after the expiration of the 180 day period referred to above) then the undersigned shall have delivered written notice to X.X. Xxxxxx no less than two business days prior to such transfer or distribution. If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, the undersigned further agrees that the foregoing provisions shall be equally applicable to any Company-directed Securities the undersigned may purchase in the Public Offering.

Exhibit A-2-2

Exhibit A-2-3


Very truly yours,

By:
		Name:
		Title:

Exhibit X-0-0

Xxxxxxx X-0

LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

(OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS)

[ ], 2012

X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES LLC

BARCLAYS CAPITAL INC.

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

XXXXXXX LYNCH, PIERCE, XXXXXX & XXXXX INCORPORATED

XXXXXXX, SACHS & CO.

As Representatives of the

several Underwriters listed

in Schedule 1 hereto

c/o X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC

000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx

Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000

Re:

Aleris Corporation—Initial Public Offering

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Exhibit A-3-1

If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i) the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters agree that, at least three business days before the effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of shares of Common Stock, the Representatives on behalf of the Underwriters will notify the Company of the impending release or waiver, and (ii) the Company has agreed in the Underwriting Agreement to announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver. Any release or waiver granted by the X.X. Xxxxxx on behalf of the Underwriters hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such press release. The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (a) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this letter to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.

Exhibit A-3-2

Exhibit A-3-3


Very truly yours,

By:
		Name:
		Title:

Exhibit A-3-4

Exhibit B

[Form of Waiver of Lock-up]

X.X. XXXXXX SECURITIES LLC

Aleris Corporation

Public Offering of Common Stock

, 2012

[Name and Address of

Officer or Director

Requesting Waiver]

Dear Mr./Ms. [Name]:

This letter is being delivered to you in connection with the offering by Aleris Corporation (the “Company”) of shares of common stock, $ par value (the “Common Stock”), of the Company and the lock-up letter dated , 2012 (the “Lock-up Letter”), executed by you in connection with such offering, and your request for a [waiver] [release] dated , 2012, with respect to shares of Common Stock (the “Shares”).

X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC hereby agrees to [waive] [release] the transfer restrictions set forth in the Lock-up Letter, but only with respect to the Shares, effective , 20 ; provided, however, that such [waiver] [release] is conditioned on the Company announcing the impending [waiver] [release] by press release through a major news service at least two business days before effectiveness of such [waiver] [release]. This letter will serve as notice to the Company of the impending [waiver] [release].

Except as expressly [waived] [released] hereby, the Lock-up Letter shall remain in full force and effect.


Yours very truly,

X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC

cc: Company

Exhibit B-1

Exhibit C

[Form of Press Release]

Aleris Corporation

[Date]

(“Aleris Corporation”) announced today that X.X. Xxxxxx Securities LLC, the lead book-running manager in the Company’s recent public sale of shares of common stock, is [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to shares of the Company’s common stock held by [certain officers or directors] [an officer or director] of the Company. The [waiver] [release] will take effect on , 2012, and the shares may be sold on or after such date.

This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Exhibit C-1

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Table of Contents

ALERIS CORPORATION [ ] Shares of Common Stock Underwriting Agreement

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