<PAGE>

                               FIRST AMENDMENT
                                      TO
                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


     This First Amendment to Employment Agreement (the "First Amendment") is 
made as of March 1, 1997 by and between David E. Hawkins, an individual 
("Executive"), and Astor Corporation (formerly, Petrowax PA, Inc.), a 
Delaware corporation (the "Company").

     Executive and the Company are parties to that certain Employment 
Agreement (the "Agreement") dated July 1, 1995, and Executive and the Company 
desire to amend the Agreement as set forth herein.

     For and in consideration of the mutual covenants and promises contained 
herein, Executive and the Company do hereby amend the Agreement as follows.

     1.   Paragraph 1(d) of the Agreement is hereby amended to read in its 
entirety as follows:

               "(d)  TERM.  The initial term of employment of Executive under 
         this Agreement shall continue until July 1, 1998 (such period, the 
         "Initial Term"), subject to the provisions for termination set forth 
         herein and renewal as provided in paragraph 1(e) below."

     2.   The first sentence of paragraph 2(a) of the Agreement is hereby 
amended by deleting "Eleven Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-Seven Dollars 
($11,667)" and by substituting therefor "Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred 
Dollars ($13,500)."

     3.   The first sentence of paragraph 3(b) of the Agreement is hereby 
amended by deleting "40%" and by substituting therefor "50%".

     4.   The definition of "Termination Date" in the first sentence of 
paragraph 5 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

          "The date on which Executive's employment by the Company 
         ceases upon non-renewal at the election of the Company in 
         accordance with paragraph 1 (e), or under any of the 
         following circumstances, shall be defined herein as the  
         Termination Date'."

     5.   Paragraph 5(d) (i) of the Agreement is hereby amended in its 
entirety to read as follows:

          "(d)  TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE.


                                       1


<PAGE>

          (i)  TERMINATION PAYMENTS.   In the event that during the term of 
     this Agreement (A)  Executive's employment is terminated by the Company 
     other than pursuant to paragraph 5(a) or 5(c), (B)  Executive's 
     employment is terminated by Executive pursuant to paragraph 5(b), or (C) 
      the Company elects not to renew this Agreement in accordance with 
     paragraph 1(e), then the Company shall pay Executive as severance an 
     amount equal to twelve (12) months of his then Base Salary, less 
     standard withholdings for tax and social security purposes, payable over 
     such twelve (12) month term in monthly pro rata payments commencing as 
     of the Termination Date plus the accrued portion of any bonus through 
     the Termination Date, less standard withholdings for tax and social 
     security purposes, payable upon such date or over such period of time 
     which is in accordance with the applicable bonus plan."

     6.   Paragraph 5(g) of the Agreement is hereby amended to read in its
entirety as follows:

          "(g)  OUTPLACEMENT SERVICES.  Upon any termination of Executive's
employment pursuant to paragraph 5 (c) or 5(d), or upon non-renewal at the
election of the Company in accordance with paragraph 1(e), the Company shall
provide to Executive such outplacement services as may be mutually agreed to
from time to time between the Company and Executive."

     7.   Except as modified herein, all terms, conditions and covenants of 
the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this First 
Amendment on the date first above written.


                                       /s/ DAVID E. HAWKINS
                                       _______________________________________
                                       David E. Hawkins



                                       ASTOR CORPORATION


                                           /s/ BOYD D. WAINSCOTT
                                       By: ______________________________
                                           Boyd D. Wainscott
                                           Chairman and Chief
                                           Executive Officer