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                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

                            STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.

                   11 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2007


                         REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
                         -----------------------------


                                                                   April 1, 1997



Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
Chase Securities Inc.
c/o Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
     Eleven Madison Avenue
     New York, New York 10010-3629

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          Sterling Chemicals, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to issue and sell to Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation and Chase
Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Initial Purchasers"), upon the terms set
forth in a purchase agreement of even date herewith (the "Purchase Agreement"),
$150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 11 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes
Due 2007 (the "Notes").  The Notes will be issued pursuant to an Indenture,
dated as of April 7, 1997 (the "Indenture") between the Company and Fleet
National Bank (the "Trustee").  As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers, the
Company agrees with the Initial Purchasers, for the benefit of the holders of
the Notes (including, without limitation, the Initial Purchasers), the Exchange
Notes (as defined below) and the Private Exchange Notes (as defined below)
(collectively the "Holders"), as follows:

          1.   Registered Exchange Offer.  The Company shall, at its own cost,
prepare and, not later than 45 days after (or if the 45th day is not a business
day, the first business day thereafter) the date of original issue of the Notes
(the "Issue Date"), file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement (the "Exchange Offer Registration
Statement") on an appropriate form under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), with respect to a proposed offer (the "Registered
Exchange Offer") to the Holders of Transfer Restricted Notes (as defined in
Section 6 hereof), who are not prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission
from participating in the Registered Exchange Offer, to issue and deliver to
such Holders, in exchange for the Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of
debt securities (the "Exchange Notes") of the Company issued under the Indenture
and identical in all material respects to the Notes (except for the transfer
restrictions relating to the Notes and provisions relating to the matters
described in Section 6 hereof). The Company shall use its best efforts to cause
such Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective under the
Securities Act within 150 days (or if the 150th day is not a business day, the
first business day thereafter) after the Issue Date of the Notes and shall keep
the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective for not less than 30 days
(or longer, if required by applicable law) after the date notice of the
Registered Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders (such period being called the
"Exchange Offer Registration Period").

          If the Company effects the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company will
be entitled to close the Registered Exchange Offer 30 days after the
commencement thereof provided that the
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Company has accepted all the Notes theretofore validly tendered in accordance
with the terms of the Registered Exchange Offer.

          Following the declaration of the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, the Company shall promptly commence the Registered
Exchange Offer, it being the objective of such Registered Exchange Offer to
enable each Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes electing to exchange the Notes
for Exchange Notes (assuming that such Holder is not an affiliate of the Company
within the meaning of the Securities Act, acquires the Exchange Notes in the
ordinary course of such Holder's business and has no arrangements with any
person to participate in the distribution of the Exchange Notes and is not
prohibited by any law or policy of the Commission from participating in the
Registered Exchange Offer) to trade such Exchange Notes from and after their
receipt without any limitations or restrictions under the Securities Act or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), subject as to
an Exchanging Dealer (as defined below) to the provisions of the next paragraph
below) and without material restrictions under the securities laws of the
several states of the United States.

          The Company acknowledges that, pursuant to current interpretations by
the Commission's staff of Section 5 of the Securities Act, in the absence of an
applicable exemption therefrom, (i) each Holder which is a broker-dealer
electing to exchange Notes, acquired for its own account as a result of market
making activities or other trading activities, for Exchange Notes (an
"Exchanging Dealer"), is required to deliver a prospectus containing the
information set forth in Annex A hereto on the cover, in Annex B hereto in the
"Exchange Offer Procedures" section and the "Purpose of the Exchange Offer"
section, and in Annex C hereto in the "Plan of Distribution" section of such
prospectus in connection with a sale of any such Exchange Notes received by such
Exchanging Dealer pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and (ii) an Initial
Purchaser that elects to sell Exchange Notes acquired in exchange for Notes
constituting any portion of an unsold allotment is required to deliver a
prospectus containing the information required by Items 507 or 508 of Regulation
S-K under the Securities Act, as applicable, in connection with such sale.

          The Company shall use its best efforts to keep the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement effective and to amend and supplement the prospectus
contained therein, in order to permit such prospectus to be lawfully delivered
by all persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act for such period of time as such persons must comply with such requirements
in order to resell the Exchange Notes; provided, however, that (i) in the case
where such prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto must be delivered
by an Exchanging Dealer or an Initial Purchaser, such period shall be the lesser
of 180 days and the date on which all Exchanging Dealers and the Initial
Purchasers have sold all Exchange Notes held by them (unless such period is
extended pursuant to Section 3(j) below) and (ii) the Company shall make such
prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, available to any broker-
dealer for use in connection with any resale of any Exchange Notes for a period
of not less than 90 days after the consummation of the Registered Exchange
Offer.

          If, upon consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, any Initial
Purchaser holds Notes acquired by it as part of its initial distribution, the
Company, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange Notes pursuant to the
Registered Exchange Offer, shall issue and deliver to such Initial Purchaser
upon the written request of such Initial Purchaser, in exchange (the "Private
Exchange") for the Notes held by such Initial Purchaser, a like principal amount
of debt securities of the Company issued under the Indenture and identical in
all material respects (including the existence of restrictions on transfer under
the Securities Act and the securities laws of the several states of the United
States but excluding provisions relating to the matters described in Section 6
hereof) to the Notes (the "Private Exchange Notes").  The Notes, the Exchange
Notes and the Private Exchange Notes are herein collectively called the
"Securities."

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          In connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, the Company shall:

          (a) mail to each Holder a copy of the prospectus forming part of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an appropriate letter of
transmittal and related documents;

          (b) keep the Registered Exchange offer open for not less than 30 days
(or longer, if required by applicable law) after the date notice thereof is
mailed to the Holders;

          (c) utilize the services of a depositary for the Registered Exchange
Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which
may be the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee;

          (d) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Notes at any time prior to the
close of business, New York time, on the last business day on which the
Registered Exchange Offer shall remain open; and

          (e) otherwise comply with all applicable laws.

          As soon as practicable after the close of the Registered Exchange
Offer or the Private Exchange, as the case may be, the Company shall:

               (i) accept for exchange all the Notes validly tendered and not
     withdrawn pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and the Private
     Exchange;

               (ii) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all the Notes so
     accepted for exchange; and

               (iii)  cause the Trustee to authenticate and deliver promptly to
     each Holder of the Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as the
     case may be, equal in principal amount to the Notes of such Holder so
     accepted for exchange.

          The Indenture will provide that the Exchange Notes will not be subject
to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture and that all the
Securities will vote and consent together on all matters as one class and that
none of the Securities will have the right to vote or consent as a class
separate from one another on any matter.

          Interest on each Exchange Note and Private Exchange Note issued
pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and in the Private Exchange will
accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the
Notes surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the
Notes, from the date of original issue of the Notes.

          Each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange Offer shall be
required to represent to the Company that at the time of the consummation of the
Registered Exchange Offer (i) any Exchange Notes received by such Holder will be
acquired in the ordinary course of business, (ii) such Holder will have no
arrangements or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution
of the Notes or the Exchange Notes within the meaning of the Securities Act,
(iii) such Holder is not an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 of the
Securities Act, of the Company or if it is an affiliate, such Holder will comply
with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act
to the extent applicable, (iv) if such Holder is not a broker-dealer, that it is
not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, the distribution of the
Exchange Notes and (v) if such Holder is a broker-dealer, that it will receive
Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Notes that were acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that it will
be required to acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with
any resale of such Exchange Notes.

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          Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the Company will ensure
that (i) any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment thereto and
any prospectus forming part thereof and any supplement thereto complies in all
material respects with the Securities Act and the rules and regulations
thereunder, (ii) any Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment
thereto does not, when it becomes effective, contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading and (iii) any prospectus
forming part of any Exchange Offer Registration Statement, and any supplement to
such prospectus, does not include an 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.

          2.   Shelf Registration.  If, (i) because of any change in law or in
applicable interpretations thereof by the staff of the Commission, the Company
is not permitted to effect a Registered Exchange Offer, as contemplated by
Section 1 hereof, (ii) the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated within
180 days of the Issue Date, (iii) any Initial Purchaser so requests with respect
to the Notes (or the Private Exchange Notes) not eligible to be exchanged for
Exchange Notes in the Registered Exchange Offer and held by it following
consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer or (iv) any Holder (other than an
Exchanging Dealer) is not eligible to participate in the Registered Exchange
Offer or, in the case of any Holder (other than an Exchanging Dealer) that
participates in the Registered Exchange Offer, such Holder does not receive
freely tradeable Exchange Notes on the date of the exchange, the Company shall
take the following actions:

          (a) The Company shall, at its cost, as promptly as practicable (but in
no event more than 30 days after so required or requested pursuant to this
Section 2) file with the Commission and thereafter shall use its best efforts to
cause to be declared effective a registration statement (the "Shelf Registration
Statement" and, together with the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, a
"Registration Statement") on an appropriate form under the Securities Act
relating to the offer and sale of the Transfer Restricted Notes by the Holders
thereof from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution set
forth in the Shelf Registration Statement and Rule 415 under the Securities Act
(hereinafter, the "Shelf Registration"); provided, however, that no Holder
(other than an Initial Purchaser) shall be entitled to have the Securities held
by it covered by such Shelf Registration Statement unless such Holder agrees in
writing to be bound by all the provisions of this Agreement applicable to such
Holder.

          (b) The Company shall use its best efforts to keep the Shelf
Registration Statement continuously effective in order to permit the prospectus
included therein to be lawfully delivered by the Holders of the relevant
Securities, for a period of three years (or for such longer period if extended
pursuant to Section 3(j) below) from the date of its effectiveness or such
shorter period that will terminate when the Notes covered by the Shelf
Registration Statement can be sold pursuant to Rule 144 without any limitations
under clauses (c), (e), (f) and (h) of Rule 144 (or any successor rule thereof);
provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to keep the Shelf
Registration Statement effective if (i) the Company determines, in its
reasonable judgment, upon advice of counsel, as authorized by a resolution of
its Board of Directors, that the continued effectiveness and usability of the
Shelf Registration Statement would (x) require the disclosure of material
information, which the Company has a bona fide business reason for preserving as
confidential, or (y) interfere with any financing, acquisition, corporate
reorganization or other material transaction involving the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or its parent, provided that the failure to keep the Shelf
Registration Statement effective and usable for offers and sales of Securities
for such reasons shall last no longer than 45 days in any 12-month period
(whereafter Additional Interest (as defined in Section 6(a)) shall accrue and be
payable), and (ii) the Company promptly thereafter complies with the
requirements of Section 3(j) hereof, if applicable.  Any such period during
which the Company is excused from keeping the Shelf Registration Statement
effective and usable for offers and sales of Securities is referred to herein as
a "Suspension Period."  A Suspension Period shall commence on and include the
date that the

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Company gives notice that the registration statement is no longer effective or
the prospectus included therein is no longer usable for offers and sales of
Securities and shall end on the earlier to occur of (1) the date on which each
seller of Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement either receives
the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section
3(j) hereof or is advised in writing by the Company that use of the prospectus
may be resumed and (2) the expiration of 45 days in any 12-month period during
which one or more Suspension Periods has been in effect.  The Company shall be
deemed not to have used its best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration
Statement effective during the requisite period if it voluntarily takes any
action that would result in Holders of Securities covered thereby not being able
to offer and sell such securities during that period, unless such action is
required by applicable law.

          (c) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the
contrary, the Company shall cause the Shelf Registration Statement and the
related prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, as of the effective
date of the Shelf Registration Statement, amendment or supplement, (i) to comply
in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Securities Act
and the rules and regulations of the Commission and (ii) not to 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 light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

          3.   Registration Procedures.  In connection with any Shelf
Registration contemplated by Section 2 hereof and, to the extent applicable, any
Registered Exchange Offer contemplated by Section 1 hereof, the following
provisions shall apply:

          (a) The Company shall (i) furnish to each Initial Purchaser, prior to
the filing thereof with the Commission, a copy of the Registration Statement and
each amendment thereof and each supplement, if any, to the prospectus included
therein and, in the event that an Initial Purchaser (with respect to any portion
of an unsold allotment from the original offering) is participating in the
Registered Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration, the Company shall use its
best efforts to reflect in each such document when so filed with the Commission,
such comments as such Initial Purchaser reasonably may propose; (ii) include the
information set forth in Annex A hereto on the cover, in Annex B hereto in the
"Exchange Offer Procedures" section and the "Purpose of the Exchange Offer"
section and in Annex C hereto in the "Plan of Distribution" section of the
prospectus forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and
include the information set forth in Annex D hereto in the Letter of Transmittal
delivered pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer; (iii) if requested by an
Initial Purchaser, include the information required by Items 507 or 508 of
Regulation S-K under the Securities Act, as applicable, in the prospectus
forming a part of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement; (iv) include within
the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement a section
entitled "Plan of Distribution," reasonably acceptable to the Initial
Purchasers, which shall contain a summary statement of the positions taken or
policies made by the staff of the Commission with respect to the potential
"underwriter" status of any broker-dealer that is the beneficial owner (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act")) of Exchange Notes received by such broker-dealer in the
Registered Exchange Offer (a "Participating Broker-Dealer"), whether such
positions or policies have been publicly disseminated by the staff of the
Commission or such positions or policies, in the reasonable judgment of the
Initial Purchasers based upon advice of counsel (which may be in-house counsel),
represent the prevailing views of the staff of the Commission; and (v) in the
case of a Shelf Registration Statement, include the names of the Holders, who
propose to sell Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, as
selling securityholders.

          (b) The Company shall give written notice to the Initial Purchasers,
the Holders of the Securities and any Participating Broker-Dealer from whom the
Company has received prior written notice that it will be a Participating
Broker-Dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer (which

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notice pursuant to clauses (ii)-(v) hereof shall be accompanied by an
instruction to suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes
have been made):

               (i) when the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto has
     been filed with the Commission and when the Registration Statement or any
     post-effective amendment thereto has become effective;

               (ii) of any request by the Commission for amendments or
     supplements to the Registration Statement or the prospectus included
     therein;

               (iii)  of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
     suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the
     initiation of any proceedings for that purpose;

               (iv) of the receipt by the Company or its legal counsel of any
     notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the
     Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of
     any proceeding for such purpose; and

               (v) of the happening of any event that requires the Company to
     make changes in the Registration Statement or the prospectus in order that
     the Registration Statement or the prospectus do not contain an untrue
     statement of a material fact nor omit to state a material fact required to
     be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case
     of the prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
     made) not misleading.

          (c) The Company shall make every reasonable effort to obtain the
withdrawal at the earliest possible time, of any order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement.

          (d) The Company shall furnish to each Holder of Securities included
within the coverage of the Shelf Registration, without charge, at least one copy
of the Shelf Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto,
including financial statements and schedules, and, if the Holder so requests in
writing, all exhibits thereto (including those, if any, incorporated by
reference other then exhibits to such incorporated documents unless such
exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such incorporated
documents).

          (e) The Company shall deliver to each Exchanging Dealer and each
Initial Purchaser, and to any other Holder who so requests, without charge, at
least one copy of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any post-
effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and,
if any Initial Purchaser or any such Holder requests, all exhibits thereto
(including those, if any, incorporated by reference other then exhibits to such
incorporated documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by
reference into such incorporated documents).

          (f) The Company shall, during the Shelf Registration Period, deliver
to each Holder of Securities included within the coverage of the Shelf
Registration, without charge, as many copies of the prospectus (including each
preliminary prospectus) included in the Shelf Registration Statement and any
amendment or supplement thereto as such person may reasonably request.  The
Company consents, subject to the provisions of this Agreement, to the use of the
prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders
of the Securities in connection with the offering and sale of the Securities
covered by the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, included in
the Shelf Registration.

          (g) The Company shall deliver to each Initial Purchaser, any
Exchanging Dealer, any Participating Broker-Dealer and such other persons
required to deliver a prospectus following the Registered Exchange Offer,
without charge, as many copies of the final prospectus included in the

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Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as
such persons may reasonably request.  The Company consents, subject to the
provisions of this Agreement, to the use of the prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto by any Initial Purchaser, if necessary, any Participating
Broker-Dealer and such other persons required to deliver a prospectus following
the Registered Exchange Offer in connection with the offering and sale of the
Exchange Notes covered by the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement
thereto, included in the Registered Exchange Offer.

          (h) Prior to any public offering of the Securities, pursuant to any
Registration Statement, the Company shall register or qualify or cooperate with
the Holders of the Securities included therein and their respective counsel in
connection with the registration or qualification of the Securities for offer
and sale under the securities or "blue sky" laws of such states of the United
States as any Holder of the Securities reasonably requests in writing and do any
and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the offer and sale
in such jurisdictions of the Securities covered by such Registration Statement;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to (i) qualify
generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified
or (ii) take any action that would subject it to general service of process or
to taxation in any jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.

          (i) The Company shall cooperate with the Holders of the Securities to
facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing the
Securities to be sold pursuant to any Registration Statement free of any
restrictive legends and in such denominations and registered in such names as
the Holders may request a reasonable period of time prior to sales of the
Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement.

          (j) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraphs (ii)
through (v) of Section 3(b) above during the period for which the Company is
required to maintain an effective Registration Statement, the Company shall
promptly prepare and file a post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement or supplement to the related prospectus and any other required
document so that, as thereafter delivered to Holders of the Notes or purchasers
of Securities, the prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.  If the Company notifies the Initial
Purchasers, the Holders of the Securities and any known Participating Broker-
Dealer in accordance with paragraphs (ii) through (v) of Section 3(b) above to
suspend the use of the prospectus until the requisite changes to the prospectus
have been made, then the Initial Purchasers, the Holders of the Securities and
any such Participating Broker-Dealers shall suspend use of such prospectus, and
the period of effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement provided for in
Section 2(b) above and the Exchange Offer Registration Statement provided for in
Section 1 above shall each be extended by the number of days from and including
the date of the giving of such notice to and including the date when the Initial
Purchasers, the Holders of the Securities and any known Participating Broker-
Dealer shall have received such amended or supplemented prospectus pursuant to
this Section 3(j).

          (k) Not later than the effective date of the applicable Registration
Statement, the Company will provide a CUSIP number for the Notes, the Exchange
Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and provide the
applicable trustee with printed certificates for the Notes, the Exchange Notes
or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, in a form eligible for
deposit with The Depository Trust Company.

          (l) The Company will comply with all rules and regulations of the
Commission to the extent and so long as they are applicable to the Registered
Exchange Offer or the Shelf Registration and will make generally available to
its security holders (or otherwise provide in accordance with Section 11(a) of
the Securities Act) an earnings statement satisfying the provisions of Section
11(a) of the Securities Act, no later than 45 days after the end of a 12-month
period (or 90

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
days, if such period is a fiscal year) beginning with the first month of the
Company's first fiscal quarter commencing after the effective date of the
Registration Statement, which statement shall cover such 12-month period.

          (m) The Company shall cause the Indenture to be qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, in a timely manner and containing such
changes, if any, as shall be necessary for such qualification.  In the event
that such qualification would require the appointment of a new trustee under the
Indenture, the Company shall appoint a new trustee thereunder pursuant to the
applicable provisions of the Indenture.

          (n) The Company may require each Holder of Securities to be sold
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement to furnish to the Company such
information regarding the Holder and the distribution of the Securities as the
Company may from time to time reasonably require for inclusion in the Shelf
Registration Statement, and the Company may exclude from such registration the
Securities of any Holder that unreasonably fails to furnish such information
within a reasonable time after receiving such request.

          (o) In the case of any Shelf Registration, if the Securities are to be
sold in an underwritten offering, the Company shall, if requested, enter into an
underwriting agreement in customary form and cooperate to take such other
actions as may be reasonably requested in connection therewith.

          (p) In the case of any Shelf Registration, the Company shall (i) make
reasonably available for inspection by the Holders of the Securities, any
underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by the Holders of
the Securities or any such underwriter all relevant financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and (ii) cause the
Company's officers, directors, employees, accountants and auditors to supply all
relevant information reasonably requested by the Holders of the Securities or
any such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, in each case, as shall be reasonably necessary to enable
such persons to conduct a reasonable investigation within the meaning of Section
11 of the Securities Act; provided,  however, that the foregoing inspection and
information gathering shall be coordinated on behalf of the Initial Purchasers
by the Initial Purchasers and on behalf of the other parties, by one counsel
designated by and on behalf of such other parties as described in Section 4
hereof.

          (q) In the case of any Shelf Registration, the Company, if requested
by any Holder of Securities covered thereby, shall cause (i) its counsel to
deliver an opinion and updates thereof relating to the Securities in customary
form addressed to such Holders and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof
and dated, in the case of the initial opinion, the effective date of such Shelf
Registration Statement (it being agreed that the matters to be covered by such
opinion shall include, without limitation, the due incorporation and good
standing of the Company and its subsidiaries incorporated in the United States;
the qualification of the Company and such subsidiaries to transact business as
foreign corporations; the due authorization, execution and delivery of the
relevant agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(o) hereof; the due
authorization, execution, authentication and issuance, and the validity and
enforceability, of the applicable Securities; the absence of material legal or
governmental proceedings involving the Company and its subsidiaries; the absence
of governmental approvals required to be obtained in connection with the Shelf
Registration Statement, the offering and sale of the applicable Securities, or
any agreement of the type referred to in Section 3(o) hereof, the compliance as
to form of such Shelf Registration Statement and any documents incorporated by
reference therein and of the Indenture with the requirements of the Securities
Act and the Trust Indenture Act, respectively; and, as of the date of the
opinion and as of the effective date of the Shelf Registration Statement or most
recent post-effective amendment thereto, as the case may be, a

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
statement of such counsel that it has no reason to believe that such Shelf
Registration Statement or the prospectus included therein, as then amended or
supplemented, or any documents incorporated by reference therein contained an
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state therein a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading (in the case of any such documents, in the light of the circumstances
existing at the time that such documents were filed with the Commission under
the Exchange Act)); (ii) its officers to execute and deliver all customary
documents and certificates and updates thereof requested by any underwriters of
the applicable Securities and (iii) its independent public accountants and the
independent public accountants with respect to any other entity for which
financial information is provided in the Shelf Registration Statement to provide
to the selling Holders of the applicable Securities and any underwriter therefor
a comfort letter in customary form and covering matters of the type customarily
covered in comfort letters in connection with primary underwritten offerings,
subject to receipt of appropriate documentation as contemplated by Statement of
Auditing Standards No. 72.

          (r) In the case of the Registered Exchange Offer, if requested by any
Initial Purchaser or any known Participating Broker-Dealer, the Company shall
cause (i) its counsel to deliver to such Initial Purchaser or such Participating
Broker-Dealer a signed opinion in the form set forth in Sections 6(d), (e) and
(f) of the Purchase Agreement with such changes as are customary in connection
with the preparation of a Registration Statement and (ii) its independent public
accountants and the independent public accountants with respect to any other
entity for which financial information is provided in the Registration Statement
to deliver to such Initial Purchaser or such Participating Broker-Dealer a
comfort letter, in customary form, meeting the requirements as to the substance
thereof as set forth in Sections 6(a) and (b) of the Purchase Agreement, with
appropriate date changes.

          (s) If a Registered Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange is to be
consummated, upon delivery of the Notes by Holders to the Company (or to such
other person or entity as directed by the Company) in exchange for the Exchange
Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, the Company shall mark,
or cause to be marked, on the Notes so exchanged that such Notes are being
canceled in exchange for the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as
the case may be; in no event shall the Notes be marked as paid or otherwise
satisfied.

          (t) The Company will use its best efforts to either (i) confirm that
the ratings obtained for the Notes prior to the initial sale of such Notes will
apply to the Securities covered by a Registration Statement or (ii) cause the
Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be rated with the appropriate
rating agencies, if so requested by Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of Securities covered by such Registration Statement, or by the managing
underwriters, if any.

          (u) In the event that any broker-dealer registered under the Exchange
Act shall underwrite any Securities or participate as a member of an
underwriting syndicate or selling group or "participate in the distribution,"
(within the meaning of the Conduct Rules (the "Rules") of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD")) thereof, whether as a Holder
of such Securities or as an underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker
or dealer in respect thereof, or otherwise, the Company will assist such broker-
dealer in complying with the requirements of the Rules, including, without
limitation, by (i) if such Rules, including Rule 2720 thereto, shall so require,
engaging a "qualified independent underwriter", (as defined in Rule 2720) to
participate in the preparation of the Registration Statement relating to such
Securities, to exercise usual standards of due diligence in respect thereto and,
if any portion of the offering contemplated by such Registration Statement is an
underwritten offering or is made through a placement or sales agent, to
recommend the yield of such Securities, (ii) indemnifying any such qualified
independent underwriter to the extent of the indemnification of underwriters
provided in Section 5 hereof and (iii) providing such information to such
broker-dealer as may be required in order for such broker-dealer to comply with
the requirements of the Rules.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
          (v) The Company shall use its best efforts to take all other steps
necessary to effect the registration of the Securities covered by a Registration
Statement contemplated hereby.

          4.   Registration Expenses.  The Company shall bear all fees and
expenses incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations under
Sections 1 through 3 hereof (including the reasonable fees and expenses, if any,
of Dewey Ballantine, counsel for the Initial Purchasers, incurred in connection
with the Registered Exchange Offer), whether or not any Registration Statement
is filed or becomes effective, and, in the event of a Shelf Registration, shall
bear or reimburse the Holders of the Securities covered thereby for the
reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm of counsel designated by the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities covered thereby to
act as counsel for the Holders of the Securities in connection therewith.

          5.   Indemnification.  (a)  The Company agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless each Holder of the Securities, any Participating Broker-Dealer and each
person, if any, who controls such Holder or such Participating Broker-Dealer
within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (each Holder, any
Participating Broker-Dealer and such controlling persons are referred to
collectively as the "Indemnified Parties") from and against any losses, claims,
damages or liabilities, joint or several, or any actions in respect thereof
(including, but not limited to, any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or
actions relating to purchases and sales of the Securities) to which each
Indemnified Party may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act
or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions
arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact contained in a Registration Statement or prospectus or in any
amendment or supplement thereto or in any preliminary prospectus relating to a
Shelf Registration, or arise out of, or are based upon, the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any prospectus, in the
light of the circumstances under which they are made) not misleading, and shall
reimburse, as incurred, the Indemnified Parties for any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any
such loss, claim, damage, liability or action in respect thereto; provided,
however, that (i) the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent
that such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in a Registration Statement or prospectus or in any amendment or supplement
thereto or in any preliminary prospectus relating to a Shelf Registration in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information pertaining to such
Holder and furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder specifically
for inclusion therein and (ii) with respect to any untrue statement or omission
or alleged untrue statement or omission made in any preliminary prospectus
relating to a Shelf Registration Statement, the indemnity agreement contained in
this subsection (a) shall not inure to the benefit of any Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer from whom the person asserting any such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities purchased the Securities concerned, to the extent
that a prospectus relating to such Securities was required to be delivered by
such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer under the Securities Act in
connection with such purchase and any such loss, claim, damage or liability of
such Holder or Participating Broker-Dealer results from the fact that there was
not sent or given to such person, at, or prior to the written confirmation of
the sale of such Securities to such person, a copy of the final prospectus if
the Company had previously furnished copies thereof to such Holder or
Participating Broker-Dealer; provided further, however, that this indemnity
agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise
have to such Indemnified Party.  The Company shall also indemnify underwriters,
selling brokers, dealer-managers and similar securities industry professionals
participating in the distribution (as described in such Registration Statement)
their officers and directors and each person who controls such persons within
the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act to the same extent as
provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders of the
Securities if requested by such Holders.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
          (b) Each Holder of the Securities, severally and not jointly, will
indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each person, if any, who controls
the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act from
and against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities or any actions in respect
thereof, to which the Company or any such controlling person may become subject
under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or actions arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in a
Registration Statement or prospectus or in any amendment or supplement thereto
or in any preliminary prospectus relating to a Shelf Registration, or arise out
of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any
prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made) not
misleading, but in each case only to the extent that the untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information pertaining to such Holder and
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for
inclusion therein; and, subject to the limitation set forth immediately
preceding this clause, shall reimburse, as incurred, the Company for any legal
or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such controlling
person in connection with investigating or defending any loss, claim, damage,
liability or action in respect thereof.  This indemnity agreement will be in
addition to any liability which such Holder may otherwise have to the Company or
any of its controlling persons.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section
5 of notice of the commencement of any action or proceeding (including a
governmental investigation), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect
thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Section 5,
notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof; but the omission so
to notify the indemnifying party will not, in any event, relieve the
indemnifying party from any obligations to any indemnified party other than the
indemnification obligation provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above to the extent
that the indemnifying party is not materially prejudiced thereby.  In case any
such action is brought against any indemnified party, and it notifies the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it may wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party (who
shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the
indemnifying party), and after notice from the indemnifying party to such
indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof the
indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party under this
Section 5 for any legal or other expenses, other than reasonable costs of
investigation, subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection
with the defense thereof.  No indemnifying party shall, without the prior
written consent of the indemnified party, effect any settlement of any pending
or threatened action in respect of which any indemnified party is or could have
been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such indemnified
party unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of such
indemnified party from all liability on any claims that are the subject matter
of such action.

          (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 5 is
unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsections (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to
the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to in
subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect
the relative benefits received by the indemnifying party or parties on the one
hand and the indemnified party on the other from the exchange of the Notes,
pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer, or (ii) if the allocation provided by
the foregoing 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) above but also the relative fault of the indemnifying party or
parties on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other in connection
with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations.  The relative fault of the parties shall be determined
by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue
statement

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or such Holder or
such other indemnified person, as the case may be, on the other, and the
parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to
correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The amount paid by an
indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities
referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (d) shall be deemed to
include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified
party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim which is
the subject of this subsection (d).  Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Section 5(d), the Holders of the Securities shall not be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the amount by which the net proceeds received by such
Holders from the sale of the Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement
exceeds the amount of damages which such Holders have 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.  For
purposes of this paragraph (d), each person, if any, who controls such
indemnified party within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act
shall have the same rights to contribution as such indemnified party and each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities
Act or the Exchange Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Company.

          (e) The agreements contained in this Section 5 shall survive the sale
of the Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement and shall remain in full
force and effect, regardless of any termination or cancellation of this
Agreement or any investigation made by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

          6.   Additional Interest Under Certain Circumstances.  (a)  Additional
interest (the "Additional Interest") with respect to the Securities shall be
assessed as follows if any of the following events occur (each such event in
clauses (i) through (iii) below a "Registration Default"):

               (i) If by May 22, 1997, neither the Exchange Offer Registration
     Statement nor a Shelf Registration Statement has been filed with the
     Commission;

               (ii) If by October 4, 1997, neither the Registered Exchange Offer
     is consummated nor, if required in lieu thereof, the Shelf Registration
     Statement is declared effective by the Commission; or

               (iii)  If after either the Exchange Offer Registration Statement
     or the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective (other than
     during a Suspension Period with respect to a Shelf Registration Statement)
     (A) such Registration Statement thereafter ceases to be effective (unless
     all Securities have been previously exchanged or the obligation to maintain
     the effectiveness of such Registration Statement has expired); or (B) such
     Registration Statement or the related prospectus ceases to be usable
     (except as permitted in paragraph (b)) in connection with resales of
     Transfer Restricted Notes during the periods specified herein because
     either (1) any event occurs as a result of which the related prospectus
     forming part of such Registration Statement would include any untrue
     statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary
     to make the statements therein in the light of the circumstances under
     which they were made not misleading, or (2) it shall be necessary to amend
     such Registration Statement or supplement the related prospectus, to comply
     with the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or the respective rules
     thereunder.

Additional Interest shall accrue on the Notes over and above the interest set
forth in the title of the Notes from and including the date on which any such
Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all such
Registration Defaults have been cured, at a rate of 0.50% per annum.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
          (b) A Registration Default referred to in Section 6(a)(iii)(B) hereof
shall be deemed not to have occurred and be continuing in relation to a Shelf
Registration Statement or the related prospectus if (i) such Registration
Default has occurred solely as a result of (x) the filing of a post-effective
amendment to such Shelf Registration Statement to incorporate annual audited
financial information with respect to the Company where such post-effective
amendment is not yet effective and needs to be declared effective to permit
Holders to use the related prospectus or (y) other material events with respect
to the Company that would need to be described in such Shelf Registration
Statement or the related prospectus and (ii) in the case of clause (y), the
Company is proceeding promptly and in good faith to amend or supplement such
Shelf Registration Statement and related prospectus to describe such events;
provided, however, that in any case if such Registration Default occurs for a
continuous period in excess of 30 days, Additional Interest shall be payable in
accordance with the above paragraph from the day such Registration Default
occurs until such Registration Default is cured.

          (c) Any amounts of Additional Interest due pursuant to clause (i),
(ii) or (iii) of Section 6(a) above will be payable in cash on the regular
interest payment dates with respect to the Notes.  The amount of Additional
Interest will be determined by multiplying the applicable Additional Interest
rate by the principal amount of the Notes, multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of days such Additional Interest rate was
applicable during such period (determined on the basis of a 360-day year
comprised of twelve 30-day months), and the denominator of which is 360.

          (d) "Transfer Restricted Notes" means each Security until (i) the date
on which such Security has been exchanged by a person other than a broker-dealer
for a freely transferrable Exchange Note in the Registered Exchange Offer, (ii)
following the exchange by a broker-dealer in the Registered Exchange Offer of a
Security for an Exchange Note, the date on which such Exchange Note is sold to a
purchaser who receives from such broker-dealer on or prior to the date of such
sale a copy of the prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, (iii) the date on which such Security has been effectively registered
under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf
Registration Statement or (iv) the date on which such Security is distributed to
the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or is saleable pursuant
to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.

          7.   Rules 144 and 144A.  The Company shall use its best efforts to
file the reports required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the
Exchange Act in a timely manner and, if at any time the Company is not required
to file such reports, it will, upon the request of any Holder of Transfer
Restricted Notes, make publicly available other information so long as necessary
to permit sales of Transfer Restricted Notes pursuant to Rules 144 and 144A.
The Company covenants that it will take such further action as any Holder of
Transfer Restricted Notes may reasonably request, all to the extent required
from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Transfer Restricted Notes
without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the
exemptions provided by Rules 144 and 144A (including the requirements of Rule
144A(d)(4)).  The Company will provide a copy of this Agreement to prospective
purchasers of Notes identified to the Company by the Initial Purchasers upon
request.  Upon the request of any Holder of Transfer Restricted Notes, the
Company shall deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has
complied with such requirements.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this
Section 7 shall be deemed to require the Company to register any of its
securities pursuant to the Exchange Act.

          8.   Underwritten Registrations.  If any of the Transfer Restricted
Notes covered by any Shelf Registration are to be sold in an underwritten
offering, the investment banker or investment bankers and manager or managers
that will administer the offering ("Managing Underwriters") will be selected by
the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Transfer
Restricted Notes to be included in such offering, subject to the approval of
such Managing Underwriters by the Company which shall not be unreasonably
withheld.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
          No person may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder
unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person's Transfer Restricted Notes on
the basis reasonably provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the
persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (ii) completes and
executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting
agreements and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such
underwriting arrangements.

          9.   Miscellaneous.

          (a) Amendments and Waivers.  The provisions of this Agreement may not
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from
the provisions hereof may not be given, except by the Company and the written
consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities
affected by such amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consents.

          (b) Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand delivery, first-class mail,
facsimile transmission, or air courier which guarantees overnight delivery:

          (1) if to a Holder of the Securities, at the most current address
     given by such Holder to the Company;

          (2)  if to the Initial Purchasers, at its address as follows:

          Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation
          Eleven Madison Avenue
          New York, New York  10010-3629
          Fax No.: (212) 325-8278
          Attention: Investment Banking Department -- Transactions Advisory
          Group

     with a copy to:


          Dewey Ballantine
          1301 Avenue of the Americas
          New York, New York  10019
          Fax No.: (212) 259-6333
          Attention:  Morton A. Pierce

          (3) if to the Company, at its address as follows:

          Sterling Chemicals, Inc.
          1200 Smith, Suite 1900
          Houston, Texas  77002
          Fax No.:  (713) 654-9577
          Attention:  F. Maxwell Evans

     with a copy to:

          Andrews & Kurth, L.L.P.
          Texas Commerce Tower
          Suite 4200
          Houston, Texas  77002

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
          Fax No: (713) 220-4285
          Attention:  David G. Elkins

          All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly
given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three business
days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt
is acknowledged by recipient's facsimile machine operator, if sent by facsimile
transmission; and on the day delivered, if sent by overnight courier
guaranteeing next day delivery.

          (c) No Inconsistent Agreements.  The Company has not, as of the date
hereof, entered into, nor shall it, on or after the date hereof, enter into, any
agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the rights
granted to the Holders herein or otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.

          (d) Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon the
Company and the Initial Purchasers and their respective successors and assigns,
including, without limitation and without the need for an express assignment,
subsequent holders of the Securities.

          (e) Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

          (f) Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

          (g) Governing Law.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO
PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS.

          (h) Severability.  If any one or more of the provisions contained
herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal
or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such
provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained
herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

          (i) Securities Held by the Company.  Whenever the consent or approval
of Holders of a specified percentage of principal amount of Securities is
required hereunder, Securities held by the Company or its affiliates (other than
subsequent Holders of Securities if such subsequent Holders are deemed to be
affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such Securities) shall not be
counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders
of such required percentage.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
          If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon
this instrument, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement
between the several Initial Purchasers and the Company in accordance with its
terms.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    STERLING CHEMICALS, INC.


                                    By: ____________________
                                       Name:   Jim P. Wise
                                       Title:  Vice President and
                                               Chief Financial Officer



The foregoing Registration
Rights Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of
the date first above written.

CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION


By: _________________________
     Name:
     Title:


CHASE SECURITIES INC.


By: _________________________
     Name:
     Title:

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX A



Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account pursuant to
the Exchange Offer must agree that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such Exchange Notes.  The Letter of Transmittal states that
by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities
Act.  This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time,
may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Notes
received in exchange for Notes where such Notes were acquired by such broker-
dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities.  The
Company has agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date (as
defined herein), it will make this Prospectus available to any broker-dealer for
use in connection with any such resale.  See "Plan of Distribution."

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX B



          Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account in
exchange for Notes, where such Notes were acquired by such broker-dealer as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge
that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Notes.  See "Plan of Distribution."

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX C



                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

          Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Notes for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer must agree that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes.  This Prospectus, as it may
be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in
connection with resales of Exchange Notes received in exchange for Existing
Notes where such Existing Notes were acquired as a result of market-making
activities or other trading activities.  The Company has agreed that, for a
period of 180 days after the Expiration Date, it will make this prospectus, as
amended or supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection
with any such resale.  In addition, until                     , 199 , all
dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange Notes may be required to deliver
a prospectus.*

          The Company will not receive any proceeds from any sale of Exchange
Notes by broker-dealers.  Exchange Notes received by broker-dealers for their
own account pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be sold from time to time in one
or more transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions,
through the writing of options on the Exchange Notes or a combination of such
methods of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices
related to such prevailing market prices or negotiated prices.  Any such resale
may be made directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may
receive compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such Exchange Notes.  Any broker-dealer
that resells Exchange Notes that were received by it for its own account
pursuant to the Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a
distribution of such Exchange Notes may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within
the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on any such resale of Exchange
Notes and any commission or concessions received by any such persons may be
deemed to be underwriting compensation under the Securities Act.  The Letter of
Transmittal states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering
a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.

          For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date the Company will
promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in the Letter of Transmittal.  The Company has agreed to pay all expenses
incident to the Exchange Offer (including the expenses of one counsel for the
Holders of the Notes) other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or
dealers and will indemnify the Holders of the Securities (including any broker-
dealers) against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act.



------------------------
 *   In addition, the legend required by Item 502(e) of Regulation S-K will
appear on the back cover page of the Exchange Offer prospectus.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX D



[_]  CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL
     COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS
     THERETO.

     Name:  __________________________________________________________
     Address:  _______________________________________________________
               _______________________________________________________



If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is
not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange
Notes.  If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes
for its own account in exchange for Notes that were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, it agrees that it will
deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes;
however, by so agreeing and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not
be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act.

                                       20