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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4



Kevin M. McMullen
President and
Chief Operating Officer

                                 January 6, 2000



Mr. Kevin M. Byrne
St. Huberts Close, Gerrards Crossing
Buckinghamshire, England SL9 7ER

Dear Kevin:

On behalf of OMNOVA Solutions Inc., I am pleased to offer you the following
promotional opportunity:

1.     You will be employed as the President of Decorative Products. In this
       capacity, you will report to me and will devote your full time and
       efforts to the performance of those duties customarily performed in this
       capacity, subject to the direction of the Chairman and Chief Executive
       Officer, the Chief Operating Officer, and the Board of Directors
       ("Directors") of OMNOVA and in compliance with OMNOVA's published
       policies and directives. At the next meeting, the Directors will elect
       you as a corporate officer.

2.     Your assignment will be effective January 1, 2000.

3.     Your compensation will comprise of a base salary and an incentive bonus
       for each fiscal year (i.e., December 1 through November 30) as follows:

       (a)    Your initial base salary will be $240,000 and thereafter, will be
              subject to review and pro-rata adjustment at the end of OMNOVA's
              2000 fiscal year and each subsequent fiscal year in accordance
              with OMNOVA's established practice. Your base salary will be
              payable in twenty-four semi-monthly installments in accordance
              with OMNOVA's regular pay practices.

       (b)    You will be eligible to participate in OMNOVA's Executive
              Incentive Compensation Program, beginning with OMNOVA's 2000
              fiscal year. Based on OMNOVA's achievement of specified objectives
              and OMNOVA's evaluation of your personal performance, you will
              have the opportunity to earn an incentive bonus in an amount
              ranging up to 100% of your base salary and payable in cash and
              shares of OMNOVA's stock. Bonuses are payable in January or
              February following the end of OMNOVA's fiscal year and in
              accordance with OMNOVA's regular pay practices and discretion of
              the Chief Operating Officer.

       (c)    All bonus payments under the Executive Incentive Compensation
              Program require that you be employed by OMNOVA on the date of the
              payment.



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Kevin M. Byrne
January 6, 2000
Page 2


4.     You will be eligible to participate in OMNOVA's Long-Term Incentive
       Program and you will be deemed to be a participant therein commencing
       with the 2000 period. Current performance measures are earnings per share
       growth, and a copy of the new OMNOVA LTIP program will be provided to all
       participants shortly. Performance targets will be confirmed, at which
       time a copy of the program will be given to our participants. If OMNOVA
       achieves specified performance goals, you will be entitled to receive an
       incentive award of shares of OMNOVA's stock having a value which equals
       20% of your average annual compensation during the performance period.

5.     OMNOVA will provide relocation assistance according to its Relocation
       Assistance Program for transferring employees from your present home in
       Buckinghamshire, England to the greater Akron, Ohio area. We anticipate
       this move to commence sometime in June 2000, after your high school
       senior has graduated. It is our understanding you will be able to expense
       business trips between your headquarters in Fairlawn, Ohio, and your
       present office in England on a prudent basis to keep contact with your
       family. You will also be afforded a company apartment in the greater
       Akron area to assist you in your temporary lodging. This apartment will
       be for six (6) months and can be extended upon approval by myself and
       Gregory T. Troy, Senior Vice President, Human Resources. Contact for
       initiating and managing your relocation will be Charlotte Sideri,
       Director, Benefits at (330) 869-4317.

6.     The term of your employment will be indefinite in duration and,
       therefore, subject to termination at will by notice from you or OMNOVA.
       In the event that (i) your employment is terminated by OMNOVA for reasons
       other than cause or due to disability or mandatory retirement, and (ii)
       you execute an Enhanced Employment Separation Agreement (as defined under
       the Involuntary Separation Plan), you will be eligible to receive
       separation pay in the form of continuing base salary (at the rate in
       effect on the date of termination) and earned Executive Incentive
       Compensation (at an amount no less than the previous incentive
       compensation period). This total cash compensation will be payable at the
       times regular salary payments are payable, subject to normal tax
       withholding; for a period not to exceed the shortest of (i) 12 months
       from your date of termination, (ii) until you obtain "Comparable
       Employment (as determined under the Involuntary Separation Plan)."

7.     The Company will also enter into a severance agreement with you
       containing the standard terms and conditions utilized for the Company's
       executive officers and containing an additional provision which requires
       that any amount which may become payable under the severance agreement be
       offset by any amount which may be paid under this employment agreement as
       a result of the termination of your employment to a change in control.

8.     Your position allows you to voluntarily select participation with AYCO, a
       financial planning management firm. Although the corporation expenses the
       majority of the fee, individual contributions are required. A separate
       information packet on AYCO will be provided to you.

9.     Although country club membership is restricted to existing corporate
       memberships, every effort will be made to provide you access to club
       usage as part of your business responsibilities. As memberships become
       open or become transferable, you will have priority.


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10.    Due to your current expatriate status, you will not be removed from your
       current provisions until you physically depart, which is anticipated in
       June 2000. You will be afforded Ernst and Young tax planning assistance
       for calendar year 2000 and calendar year 2001, if needed.


If the foregoing is satisfactory to you, please indicate your agreement by
signing and remitting a duplicate copy of this letter to Gregory T. Troy, Senior
Vice President, Human Resources.

Kevin, I'm excited about the opportunity for your professional career and the
contributions you can make to our long-term goals. Our OMNOVA team will be faced
with many challenges this year and I am looking forward to our partnership as we
solve them together.

                                         Yours truly,

                                         /s/ Kevin McMullen

                                         Kevin McMullen
                                         President and Chief Operating Officer


Agreed and accepted this     6th     day of January 2000.
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/s/ Kevin M. Byrne
------------------------------------
Kevin M. Byrne

cc:    C. Sideri
       G. Troy
       D. Wagers