Document:

Exhibit 10.8

 

EXECUTION
COPY

 

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

BETWEEN 

 

PQ CORPORATION

 

AND

 

MICHAEL R. IMBRIANI

 

FEBRUARY 11, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTION
COPY

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of February 11,
2005 and effective as of the Effective Date, by and between PQ Corporation, a
Pennsylvania corporation (the “Company”) and wholly-owned subsidiary of
Niagara Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Holdings”), and Michael
R. Imbriani (the “Executive”).

 

RECITALS

 

The Company desires to employ the Executive, and the Executive desires
to accept such employment, on the terms and subject to the conditions
hereinafter set forth. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in Section 11.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants contained
herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency
of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

Section 1.              Effectiveness; Change in Control Agreement
and Employment Period.

 

(a)             This Agreement shall be effective as of the
first Business Day following the expiration of the Revocation Period as defined
in the General Release of Claims set forth in Appendix A hereto, and
incorporated herein, which the parties agree has not been revoked (the “Effective
Date”).

 

(b)             The Company, its wholly-owned Subsidiary,
Potter Industries, Inc., and the Executive are parties to that certain
Executive Change in Control Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2000, as amended
on May 12, 2003 (the “Change
in Control Agreement”).  The Company and
the Executive hereby agree that (i) this Agreement shall be effective as
of the Effective Date; (ii) the Change in Control Agreement shall
terminate as of the Effective Date and shall be of no further force or effect
and the Executive shall have no rights or claims for any payments of benefits
thereunder.

 

(c)             The Company shall employ the Executive, and
the Executive accepts employment with the Company upon the terms and conditions
set forth in this Agreement for the period beginning on the Effective Date and
ending on the Date of Termination determined pursuant to Section 4(c) (the
“Employment Period”).

 

Section 2.              Position, Duties and
Location.

 

(a)             During the Employment Period, for so long as the
Executive shall remain employed hereunder:

 

(i)            The Executive shall serve as Vice Chairman of
the Company, reporting to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of
the Board (the “Chairman”) and shall have the usual and customary
duties, responsibilities and authority commensurate with such a position,
including responsibility for the Company’s global chemical business

 

 

(ii)           The Executive’s services shall be performed
primarily at the Company’s principal offices in Pennsylvania or at any office
or location less than twenty-five (25) miles from such location, except for
reasonable travel on Company business.

 

(b)             The Executive agrees to devote reasonable
attention and time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of
the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities
assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive’s reasonable best
efforts to perform faithfully, diligently and efficiently such
responsibilities. The Executive shall not engage in any business activity
which, in the reasonable judgment of the Board, conflicts with the duties of
the Executive hereunder, whether or not such activity is pursued for gain,
profit or other pecuniary advantage. It shall not be a violation of this
Agreement for the Executive to continue to serve on existing corporate, civic
or charitable boards or committees; deliver lectures; fulfill speaking
engagements or teach at educational institutions; and to manage personal
investments; provided,  however, that such activities do not
significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive’s
responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this
Agreement. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that he owes a fiduciary duty
of loyalty to the Company to discharge his duties and otherwise act in a manner
consistent with the best interests of the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

Section 3.              Base Salary, Bonus and
Benefits.

 

(a)           Base Salary.The Executive shall receive a “Base Salary” at an annual rate
of at least $330,120 and a monthly rate of at least $27,510 (the “Monthly
Base Salary”). The Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually, and may
be increased from time to time, consistent with, and at least at the average
rate of increases in base salary awarded in the ordinary course of business
(other than promotions) to other senior executives of the Company and its
Subsidiaries. Once increased, the Base Salary paid to the Executive shall not
be reduced thereafter.

 

(b)             Annual Bonus.  The
Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the “Bonus”) for
services rendered during each calendar year or part thereof during the
Employment Period. The amount of Bonus, if any, payable in respect of any
calendar year will be determined based on the achievement of performance goals
established by the Board or Compensation Committee within the first 90 days of
such year, which performance goals shall be consistent with those set for other
senior executives of the Company but tied to the global chemical business to
the extent deemed appropriate by the Board or Compensation Committee and may include
goals for any of the following: the Company, one of more of its Subsidiaries,
affiliates, joint ventures or divisions and/or group and individual performance
targets. The target Bonus in respect of each calendar year (the “Target
Bonus Percentage”) will equal 40% of the base salary paid or payable to the
Executive for such year; there shall be no maximum. The Bonus, if any, payable
with respect to a calendar year shall be paid within thirty (30) days following
the rendering of the Company’s audited financial statements for the relevant
calendar year, subject to the Executive’s continued employment with the Company
through such payment date, except as otherwise provided herein. The Bonus, if
any, payable in respect of calendar year 2005 shall be determined as if the
Effective Date were January 1, 2005.

 

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(c)           Retention Bonus.

 

(i)            The Executive shall also be eligible for a
retention bonus of $1,000,000 (the “Retention Bonus”) payable on February 11,
2007, provided he remains employed with the Company through such date, except
as otherwise provided herein.

 

(ii)           In the event of the Executive’s termination
of employment prior to February 11, 2007 by reason of his death,
Disability or with Good Reason or termination by the Company other than for
Cause, the Executive (or his estate) shall be entitled to a lump sum payment,
within 30 days after the Date of Termination, equal to that portion of the
Retention Bonus equal to the product of (A) the Retention Bonus and (B) a
ratio, the numerator of which is the number of full calendar months elapsed
from February 1, 2005 through the Date of Termination and the denominator
of which is 24.

 

(iii)          In the event the Executive resigns his
employment without Good Reason prior to February 11, 2007, the Executive
shall be entitled to a lump sum payment, within 30 days after the Date of
Termination, equal to that portion of the Retention Bonus equal to the product
of (A) the Retention Bonus and (B) a ratio, the numerator of which is
the number of full calendar months elapsed from January 1, 2006 through
the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 14.

 

(iv)          The payment of the Retention Bonus or any
portion thereof in accordance with subsections (ii) and (iii) above
shall be subject to the Executive’s entering into and not revoking a Release
Agreement with the Company and receiving a Release Agreement in exchange
therefor from the Company, both in substantially the form attached hereto as Appendix
D.

 

(d)           Other Benefits.

 

(i)            During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to take five (5) weeks of paid vacation annually and
shall also be entitled to participate in the standard benefit plans available
to the Company’s employees or other senior executives generally, in accordance
with the terms and conditions of such plans as in effect from time to time.

 

(ii)           During the Employment Period, and
notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Executive shall be entitled to
participate in a supplemental executive retirement plan substantially identical
to the supplemental executive retirement plan in which he participated on the
Change in Control Date.

 

(iii)          During the Employment Period, the Executive
shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including without limitation holiday pay,
sick leave, automobile lease, club dues and financial planning assistance,
Comparable to such fringe benefits offered by the Company on the Change in Control
Date to senior executives. The value of the automobile lease and club dues
shall be grossed up to offset any tax liability to the Executive for such
fringe benefits

 

3

 

(iv)          For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Comparable”
shall mean that the benefits or perquisites in each of the foregoing
subsections, in the aggregate, are the same or substantially the same in all
material respects as those offered by the Company in the ninety (90) day period
preceding the Change in Control Date.  If
such benefits or perquisites are the same or substantially the same in value,
but differ in the form of benefit offered, then the benefits or perquisites
shall be deemed “Comparable” for purposes of this Agreement.

 

(v)           Except as expressly modified herein, all
other terms and conditions of the Company’s benefit plans, practices, policies
and programs shall govern the Executive’s eligibility for, participation and
vesting in, and accrual and receipt of all employee benefits thereunder. The
Company shall retain all rights as plan sponsor to amend, modify or terminate
any such plan, practice, policy or program, in its sole discretion, which
changes shall apply to the Executive as they do to other senior executives of
the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

(e)           Reimbursements. The Company shall reimburse the Executive
for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by him in the course of
performing his duties under this Agreement which are consistent with the
Company’s policies in effect from time to time for senior executives with
respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses, subject to the Company’s
requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such expenses.

 

(f)            Withholding. The Company shall deduct from any payments to be made by it to or on
behalf of the Executive under this Agreement any amounts required to be
withheld in respect of any federal, state or local income or other taxes.

 

Section 4.              Termination.

 

(a)           The Executive’s employment hereunder shall
terminate upon the first to occur of the following:

 

(i)            Death. The date of the Executive’s death.

 

(ii)           Disability. The Disability Effective Date.

 

(iii)          Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment immediately for
Cause. A termination by the Company for any other purpose, except death or
Disability, constitutes termination other than for Cause.

 

(iv)          Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment immediately for Good
Reason. A termination by the Executive for any other purpose, except death or
Disability, constitutes termination other than for Good Reason.

 

(v)           Expiration. The expiration of the Term without further extension.

 

(b)            Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company of the
Executive’s employment for Cause or Disability, or by the Executive for Good
Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party
hereto, given in accordance with the 

 

4

 

Notice provisions of this Agreement. A “Notice of Termination”
means a written notice which includes all of the following: (i) the
specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) the
facts and circumstances, set forth in reasonable detail, claimed to provide a
basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so
indicated, and (iii) the Date of Termination (as defined below).

 

(c)           Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” means:

 

(i)            In the case of death, immediately upon the
death of the Executive;

 

(ii)           In the case of termination for Disability,
the Disability Effective Date;

 

(iii)          In the case of termination by the Company for
Cause, the date the Executive receives the Notice of Termination or such later
date as may be specified therein, or

 

(iv)          In the case of termination by the Executive
for Good Reason, the date the Company receives the Notice of Termination or
such later date as may be specified therein; provided, however, that the Board
may, in its discretion, accelerate the effective date of such termination of
employment.

 

(d)            Term/Renewal. The initial term of employment under this
Agreement (the “Initial Term”) shall be for the period beginning on the
Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary thereof, unless earlier
terminated as provided herein; provided, that the term of employment may
be extended for one or more additional one (1) year period(s) (each, an “Extension
Term”) by mutual agreement of the Company and the Executive not later than
90 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or Extension Term, if any,
then in effect.  The Initial Term and any
Extension Term shall be collectively referred to as the “Term”
hereunder. Nothing stated in this Agreement or represented orally or in writing
to either party shall create any obligation of either party to renew this
Agreement.

 

Section 5.              Effect of Termination.

 

(a)             Termination for Death, Disability or Cause;
Termination by the Executive Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment is terminated
by reason of the Executive’s death or Disability, by the Company for Cause or
by the Executive other than for Good Reason, then the Executive shall be
entitled only to those benefits set forth in Appendix B hereto.

 

(b)           Termination for Good Reason; Resignation
after February 11, 2007; Termination by the Company Other than for Death,
Disability or Cause; Expiration of the Initial Term. If the Executive’s employment is terminated
by the Executive for Good Reason at any time, by the Executive for any reason
or no reason on or after February 11, 2007, by the Company other than for
death, Disability or Cause or upon Expiration of the Initial Term without
renewal, then the Executive shall be entitled to those benefits set forth in Appendix
C hereto.

 

5

 

Section 6.              The Executive’s Covenants.

 

(a)             Basis for Covenants. The Executive agrees and acknowledges that
he occupies a position of substantial confidence and trust with the Company
and, in such position, that he has access to Confidential Information. The
Executive further agrees and acknowledges that the nature and periods of
restrictions imposed by the following covenants are fair, reasonable and necessary
to protect and preserve for the Company its legitimate and protectible
interests and that such restrictions will not prevent the Executive from
earning a livelihood. The Executive agrees that the Company would sustain an
irreparable loss and damage if the Executive were to breach the covenants and
that the covenants are made as an inducement to enter, and have been relied upon
by the Company in entering, this Agreement.

 

(b)            Covenant to Maintain Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary
capacity for the benefit of the Company all Confidential Information which
shall have been obtained by the Executive during the Executive’s employment by
the Company. At no time during or after termination of the Executive’s
employment with the Company shall the Executive, without the prior written
consent of the Company, communicate or divulge any Confidential Information to
anyone other than the Company and those designated by it, except to the extent
that (i) such disclosure or use is directly related to and required by the
Executive’s performance of duties assigned to the Executive by the Company; (ii) such
disclosure is required in connection with any action by the Executive to
enforce rights under this Agreement or (iii) such disclosure is required by a
court of law, governmental agency, or by any administrative or legislative body
with jurisdiction to order the Executive to divulge or disclose such
Confidential Information; provided, that, the Executive shall provide
ten (10) days (or such shorter notice as the Executive can reasonably
provide under the then circumstances) prior written notice to the Company of
any such requirement or order to disclose Confidential Information so that the Company
may seek a protective order or similar remedy; and, provided, further, that, in
each case set forth above, the Executive informs the recipients that such
information or communication is confidential in nature.

 

(c)           Confidentiality of Agreement.  The
Executive understands and agrees he shall treat this Agreement as confidential
and that he shall not disclose or divulge the terms of this Agreement to any
third party, with the exception of his immediate family, his accountant or financial
advisor, his attorney, a subsequent employer (as to his obligation under this Section 6)
or the Internal Revenue Service, provided,  however, that before
any disclosure permitted by this subsection is undertaken, the Executive
shall inform such third party of the obligation to maintain this Agreement as
confidential as provided herein.

 

(d)           Covenant Not to Compete.  The
Executive hereby covenants and agrees that during the Employment Period and
during the Non-Compete Period, without the prior written consent of the
Company, he shall not engage, directly or indirectly, in a Competitive Activity
either for his own benefit or as an officer, director, shareholder (of more than
one percent), partner, proprietor, employee, agent, consultant, or independent
contractor of any Person. To the extent that the covenant provided for in this Section 6(d)
may later be deemed by a court to be too broad to be enforced with respect to
its duration or with respect to any particular activity or geographic area, the
court making such determination shall have the power to reduce the 

 

6

 

duration or scope of the provision, and to add or delete specific words
or phrases to or from the provision. The provision as modified shall then be
enforced.

 

(e)           Inventions and Patents.  The
Executive agrees that all Work Product belongs to the Company.  The Executive will promptly disclose such Work
Product to the Board and perform all actions reasonably requested by the Board
(whether during or after the Employment Period) to establish and confirm such
ownership (including, without limitation, the execution and delivery of
assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments) and to provide
reasonable assistance to the Company in connection with the prosecution of any
applications for patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks or reissues
thereof or in the prosecution or defense of interferences relating to any Work
Product.

 

(f)            Covenant Regarding Solicitation. The Executive covenants and agrees that during
the Employment Period and during the Non-Compete Period, except as expressly provided
herein, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, either for himself or
for any other Person (i) solicit any employee or consultant of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries to terminate his or her employment or consulting
relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) employ any
employee or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries during the
period of his or her employment or consulting relationship with the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries (until at least 12 months have transpired since the
individual left the employ of the Company or any of it subsidiaries), (iii) solicit
any customer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to purchase or
distribute information, products or services of or on behalf of the Executive
or such other Person that are competitive with the information, products or
services provided by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; or (iv) take
any action that may cause injury to the relationships between the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their employees and any lessor, lessee,
vendor, supplier, customer, distributor, employee, consultant or other business
associate of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as such relationship
relates to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ conduct of their business.

 

Section 7.              Delivery of Materials Upon
Termination of Employment.

 

The Executive shall deliver to the Company at
the termination of the Employment Period or at any time the Company may request
all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports, computer tapes and software and
other documents and data (and copies thereof) relating to the Confidential
Information or Work Product which he may then possess or have under his control
regardless of the location or form of such material and, if requested by the
Company, will provide the Company with written confirmation that all such
materials have been delivered to the Company.

 

Section 8.              Insurance.

 

The Company may, for its own benefit, maintain “key man” life and
disability insurance policies covering the Executive The Executive will
cooperate with the Company and provide such information or other assistance as
the Company may reasonably request in connection with the Company obtaining and
maintaining such policies.

 

7

 

Section 9.              Enforcement.

 

Because the Executive’s services are unique and because the Executive
has access to Confidential Information and Work Product, the parties hereto
agree that money damages would be an inadequate remedy for any breach of this
Agreement. Therefore, in the event of a breach or threatened breach of this
Agreement, the Company or its successors or assigns may, after providing the
Executive with at least 15 days’ written notice and requesting that he cease
the violation prior to the expiration of that period, in the event it wishes to
apply the provisions of the next sentence hereof, in addition to other rights
and remedies existing in their favor, apply to any court of competent
jurisdiction for specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief in
order to enforce, or prevent any violations of, the provisions hereof (without
posting a bond or other security). In addition to the foregoing, and not in any
way in limitation thereof, or in limitation of any right or remedy otherwise
available to the Company, if the Executive violates any provision of Section 6,
any payments then or thereafter due from the Company to the Executive pursuant
to Section 5 or any Appendix hereto shall be terminated forthwith
and the Company’s obligation to pay and the Executive’s right to receive such
payments shall terminate and be of no further force or effect, in each case
without limiting or affecting the Executive’s obligations under such Section 6
or the Company’s other rights and remedies available at law or equity.

 

Section 10.            Representations and
Indemnification.

 

Each party hereby represents and warrants to the other party that (a) the
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such party does not
and will not conflict with, breach, violate or cause a default under any agreement,
contract or instrument to which such party is a party or any judgment, order or
decree to which such party is subject, and (b) upon the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by such party, this Agreement will be a valid and
binding obligation of such party, enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except as enforcement hereof may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy,
reorganization, insolvency or other laws affecting creditors rights generally
or by general principles of equity. In addition, the Executive represents and
warrants to the Company that the Executive is not a party to or bound by any
employment agreement, consulting agreement, non-compete agreement,
confidentiality agreement or similar agreement with any other Person.

 

The Company shall indemnify the Executive, to the maximum extent
permitted by applicable law, against all reasonable costs, charges and expenses
incurred or sustained by the Executive, including the reasonable cost of legal
counsel selected and retained by the Executive, in connection with any action,
suit or proceeding to which the Executive may be made a party by reason of the
Executive being or having been an officer, director, or employee of the Company
or any of its subsidiaries. The Executive shall not be entitled to
indemnification under this Section 10 unless he meets the standard of
conduct specified under Pennsylvania law. In addition, the Executive shall be
covered during the entire term of this Agreement and thereafter by officer and
director liability insurance in amounts and on terms similar to that afforded
to other executives and/or directors of the Company (or former executives
and/or directors, as applicable), which insurance shall be paid by the Company.

 

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Section 11.            Definitions.

 

“Board” shall mean the board of directors of the Company.

 

“Business Day” shall mean any day that is not a Saturday,
Sunday, or a day on which banking institutions in New York are not required to
be open.

 

“Change in Control Date” shall mean February 11, 2005.

 

“Cause” shall mean:

 

(i)            An act or acts of dishonesty undertaken by
the Executive and intended to result in substantial enrichment, at the expense
of the Company, of the Executive, his family or acquaintances;

 

(ii)           An act or acts involving moral turpitude,
fraud or theft, or any act which results in the conviction of the Executive of
a felony;

 

(iii)          Repeated violations by the Executive of his
obligations under Section 2 of this Agreement which are willful and
deliberate on the Executive’s part and which are not remedied in a reasonable
period of time after receipt of written notice from the Company; or

 

(iv)          A violation by the Executive of his covenants
under Section 6 of this Agreement relating to confidentiality and
non-competition.

 

“Competitive Activity” shall mean any business activity when
such activity involves substantial and direct competition with any business
activity or significant line of business of the Company or its subsidiaries;
provided, however, the term “Competitive Activity” shall not include the
Executive rendering services exclusively to a division, business unit, or
affiliate of a company where such division, business unit, or affiliate is not
engaged in substantial and direct competition with the Company’s business as of
the date of change of control or businesses of the successor in which the
Executive has been employed, even if other divisions, business units, or
affiliates of such company are engaged in business activities that involve such
substantial and direct competition.

 

“Confidential Information” shall mean any information relating
to the Company or its business or to any of its parents, Subsidiaries or
affiliates, whether proprietary or otherwise, and that is treated as
confidential and not generally known to the public, including without
limitation (i) research, marketing and financial information,
observations, procedures and data; (ii) products or services, (iii) costs
and pricing structures; (iv) analyses; (v) drawings, photographs and
reports; (vi) computer software, including operating systems, applications
and program listings; (vii) flow charts, manuals and documentation; (viii) data
bases; (ix) accounting and business methods; (x) inventions, devices, new
developments, and business and manufacturing processes, methods, techniques and
systems, whether patentable or unpatentable and whether or not reduced to
practice; (xi) customers, vendors, suppliers and customer, vendor and supplier
lists; (xii) other copyrightable works; (xiii) all production methods,
processes, technology and trade secrets and (xiv) all similar and related
information in whatever form. Confidential Information will not

 

9

 

include
any information that has been published in a form generally available to the
public prior to the date the Executive proposes to disclose or use such
information. Confidential Information will not be deemed to have been published
merely because individual portions of the information have been separately
published, but only if all material features comprising such information have
been published in combination.

 

“Disability” shall mean a physical or mental illness, disease or
incapacity of the Executive that qualifies the Executive for benefits under the
Company’s long-term disability plan.

 

“Disability Effective Date” The 30th day after the Executive’s
receipt of notice from the Company that the Executive’s employment is
terminated due to his Disability; provided  that, within 30 days
after such receipt, the Executive has not returned to work to perform all
essential functions of his positions with the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

“Good Reason” shall mean;

 

(i)            The assignment to the Executive of any duties
inconsistent with the Executive’s position (including status, offices and
reporting relationships), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated
by Section 2(a)(i) of this Agreement, or another action by the
Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or
responsibilities, excluding for this purpose isolated or immaterial actions; provided,
however, that prior to giving Notice of Termination for his termination
with Good Reason, the Executive shall provide notice to the Company of the
specific deficiency which purports to give rise to Good Reason for termination
and shall provide the Company with a period of thirty (30) calendar days to
cure such deficiency;

 

(ii)           A failure by the Company to comply with any
of the provisions of Section 3 of this Agreement, excluding for
this purpose isolated or immaterial actions; provided, however, that
in each case prior to giving Notice of Termination for his termination with
Good Reason, the Executive shall provide notice to the Company of the specific
deficiency which purports to give rise to Good Reason for termination and shall
provide the Company with a period of twenty (20) calendar days to cure such
deficiency;

 

(iii)          The Company’s requiring the Executive to be
based at any location other than that described in Section 2(a)(ii)
hereof, except for travel reasonably required in the performance of the
Executive’s responsibilities;

 

(iv)          Any purported termination by the Company of
the Executive’s employment other than for Cause, Disability or death, as
permitted by this Agreement or upon non-renewal at the end of the Initial Term;
or

 

(v)           Any failure by the Company to comply with and
satisfy Section 12(e) of this Agreement relating to
successorship.

 

“Person” shall be construed broadly and shall include, without
limitation, an individual, a partnership, an investment fund, a limited
liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint

 

10

 

stock
company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a
governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

“Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” of any Person shall mean
any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other legal entity of which such
Person (either alone or through or together with any other Person), owns,
directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the stock or other equity interests
which are generally entitled to vote for the election of the board of directors
or other governing body of such corporation or other legal entity.

 

“Work Product” shall mean all inventions, innovations,
improvements, technical information, systems, software developments, methods,
designs, analyses, drawings, reports, service marks, trademarks, tradenames,
logos and all similar or related information (whether patentable or
unpatentable) which relates to the Company’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ actual
or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future
products or services and which are conceived, developed or made by the
Executive (whether or not during usual business hours and whether or not alone
or in conjunction with any other Person) while employed by the Company together
with all patent applications, letters patent, trademark, tradename and service
mark applications or registrations, copyrights and reissues thereof that may be
granted for or upon any of the foregoing.

 

Section 12.            General Provisions.

 

(a)           Severability. It is the desire and intent of the Parties
hereto that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent
permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in
which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this
Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid,
prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such
jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining
provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of
this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in
any other jurisdiction.  Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be
invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such
jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions
of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceablity of such provision
in any other jurisdiction.

 

(b)           Notices. All notices, requests, demands, claims and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and sufficient if (i) delivered personally, (ii) delivered
by certified United States Post Office mail, return receipt requested, (iii) telecopied
or (iv) sent to the recipient by a nationally-recognized overnight courier
service (charges prepaid) and addressed to the intended recipient as set forth
below:

 

(i)            if to the Executive, to him at his most
recent address in the Company’s records,

 

11

 

	
   

  	
  with
  a copy to:

  	
  Morgan,
  Lewis & Bockius, LLP

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  1700
  Market Street

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Philadelphia,
  PA 19103

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Attention:

  	
  Robert
  J Lichtenstein

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  (ii)

  	
  if
  to the Company, to:

  	
  PQ
  Corporation

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  1200
  Swedesford Road

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Berwyn,
  Pennsylvania 19312

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Attention:

  	
  Michael
  R. Boyce

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
  William
  J. Sichko, Jr.

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  with
  a copy to:

  	
  J.P.
  Morgan Partners (BHCA), L P.

  
	
   

  	
  1221
  Avenue of the Americas, 39th Floor

  
	
   

  	
  New
  York, New York 10020

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Attention:

  	
  Timothy
  J. Walsh

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Richard
  A. Aube

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Stephen
  V. McKenna

  

 

or
such other address as the recipient party to whom notice is to be given may
have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance herewith. Any such
communication shall deemed to have been delivered and received (a) in the
case of personal delivery, on the date of such delivery, (b) in the case
of delivery by mail, on the third Business Day following such mailing, (c) if
telecopied, on the date telecopied, and (d) in the case of delivery by
nationally-recognized, overnight courier, on the Business Day following
dispatch.

 

(c)           Entire Agreement.  The
Agreement embodies the complete agreement and understanding among the parties
and supersede and preempt any prior or contemporaneous understandings,
agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may
have related to the subject matter hereof in any way, including, without
limitation, the Change in Control Agreement.

 

(d)           Counterparts.  This
Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be
deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

 

(e)           Successors and Assigns.

 

(i)            Except as otherwise provided herein, this
Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Executive and the Company and their respective successors, assigns, heirs,
representatives and estate, as the case may be, provided, however,
that the obligations of the Executive under this Agreement shall not be
assigned without the prior written consent of the Company and except as
provided in

 

12

 

subsection (ii) below, the obligations of the Company under
this Agreement shall not be assigned without the prior written consent of the
Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
the Executive’s legal representatives in accordance with its terms.

 

(ii)           The Company will require any successor to the
Company or substantially all of its assets to assume expressly and agree to
perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the
Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.
As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore
defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which
assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.

 

(f)            Amendment and Waiver. The provisions of this Agreement may be
amended and waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and the
Executive, and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions
of this Agreement shall affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability
of this Agreement or any provision hereof

 

(g)           Governing Law.  This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the domestic
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to any choice or
conflict of law provision or rule that would cause the application of the
laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The
parties acknowledge that they have determined that this Agreement shall not be
treated as an employee welfare benefit plan as that term is defined under
Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, 29 U S.C. § 1002 (“ERISA”).

 

(h)           Descriptive Headings: Nouns and Pronouns. Descriptive headings are for convenience
only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any
provision of this Agreement. Whenever the context may require, any pronouns
used herein shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine or neuter
forms, and the singular form of nouns and pronouns shall include the plural and
vice-versa.

 

(i)            Adjudication of Controversy or Claims. Any controversy or claim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement, or any breach hereof, shall be settled in
accordance with the terms of this Section. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR
COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

(i)            Claims for Employee Benefits. Any controversy or claim relating to an
employee benefit plan governed by ERISA referenced in Section 3 or Appendices
B or C of this Agreement initially shall be submitted pursuant to the
administrative claims procedures established by the plan sponsor of the
employee benefit plan in question. Such claims procedures shall be fully
exhausted, and the determination thereunder shall be final and binding, subject
to any right of review hereunder, if all of the procedures have been followed.
If the Executive desires further review of the final and binding administrative
determination, his sole and exclusive recourse shall be pursuant to the
Arbitration Procedures herein, and the Executive hereby expressly waives any
right of

 

13

 

review in state or federal court or pursuant to any agency rules or
regulations, including without limitation those established by the Department
of Labor. Adjudication of any claim for benefits under this subsection in
arbitration shall be under the arbitrary and capricious standard of review
mandated by ERISA, without regard to any claim or assertion by the Executive
for de novo review.

 

(ii)           All Other Claims. In the event of any controversy or claim
hereunder, other than one relating to an employee benefit as set forth in the preceding
subsection, the parties’ sole and exclusive recourse shall be pursuant to the
Arbitration Procedures herein, and each party hereby expressly waives any right
of review in state or federal court or pursuant to any agency rules or
regulations, including without limitation those established by the Department
of Labor.

 

(iii)          Arbitration Procedures. Appeals of claims under subsection (i) above,
or claims or disputes initiated under subsection (ii) above, shall be
settled by arbitration in accordance with Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of
the American Arbitration Association (or such other rules as may be agreed
upon by the Executive and the Company). The place of the arbitration shall be
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or such other location as may be mutually agreed by
the parties. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be
entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. Such award shall be binding
and conclusive upon the parties hereto.

 

(j)            Legal Expenses. The Company agrees to pay, to the full
extent permitted by law, all reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, as well as
all reasonable costs and fees associated with any arbitration, which the
Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest of the validity or
enforceability of, or the Company’s liability under, any provision of this
Agreement; provided, however, that such payment shall be made
after, and only if, the Executive prevails on at least one material issue
raised in the proceeding following exhaustion of all rights of appeal or
review.

 

[signature page follows]

 

*   *   *   *   *

 

14

 

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

 

	
   

  	
  PQ
  CORPORATION

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  By:

  	
  /s/ W J Sichko JR

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Name: W J Sichko JR

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
  Title: CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  /s/ Michael R. Imbriani

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Michael
  R. Imbriani, individually

  

 

 

APPENDIX A 

 

GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS

 

This General Release of Claims (“Release Agreement”) is entered into
between PQ Corporation, a corporation with its principal place of business at
Southpoint Corporate Headquarters, P.O. Box 840, Valley Forge, PA 19482,
and Michael R. Imbriani, an individual residing at 195 Daylesford Blvd.,
Berwyn, PA 19312 (hereinafter referred to as “Employee”), on this 11 day of Feb., 2005.

 

In consideration of the mutual promises and covenants contained herein
and In the Executive Change in Control Agreement to which this Release
Agreement is attached and Incorporated by reference, and other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt of which hereby is acknowledged, the
parties agree as follows:

 

1.          General Release of Claims and
Covenant Not to Sue.
Employee for himself and his respective administrators, executors, agents,
beneficiaries and assigns, does waive, release and forever discharge the
Company (as defined below) of and from any and all Claims (as defined below).
Employee agrees not to file a lawsuil to assert any such Claim. This release
covers all Claims arising from the beginning of time through and Including the
date of a Change in Control, as defined in the Executive Change in Control
Agreement, but does not cover Claims relating to the validity or enforcement of
this Release Agreement.

 

2.          Definition of “Claims”. “Claims” includes without limitation all
actions or demands of any kind that Employee now has, or may have or claim to
have in the future, but excluding Claims arising out of the Executive Change in
Control Agreement. More specifically, Claims include rights, causes of action,
damages, penalties, losses, attorneys’ fees, costs, expenses, obligations,
agreements, judgments and all other liabilities of any kind or description
whatsoever, either in law or in equity, whether known or unknown, suspected or
unsuspected.

 

The nature of Claims covered by this Release Agreement includes without
limitation all actions or demands in any way based on Employee’s employment
with the Company, the terms and conditions of such employment or Employee’s
separation from employment. More specifically, all of the following are among
the types of Claims which will be barred by this Release Agreement:

 

•      Contract Claims (whether express or implied);

 

•      Tort Claims, such as for defamation or
emotional distress;

 

•      Claims under federal state and municipal
laws, regulations, ordinance or court decisions of any kind;

 

 

•      Claims of discrimination, harassment or
retaliation, whether based on race, color, religion, gender, sex, age, sexual
orientation, handicap and/or disability, national origin or any other legally
protected class;

 

•      Claims under the AGE
DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT
ACT, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Americans
with Disabilities Act and similar federal and state statutes and municipal ordinances
governing civil rights;

 

•      Claims under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act. the Family and Medical Leave Act, Fair Labor Standards Act, and
state laws governing payment of wages, wages and hours, family or medical
leave; and

 

•      Claims for wrongful discharge.

 

3.          Definition of “Company”. For purposes of this Release Agreement, “Company”
includes without limitation PQ Corporation, and its respective past, present and
future parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, predecessors, successors,
assigns, employee benefit plans and trusts. It also includes all past, present
and future managers, directors, officers, partners, agents, employees,
attorneys, representatives, consultants, associates, fiduciaries, plan
sponsors, administrators and trustees of each of the foregoing.

 

4.          Employee’s Acknowledgment of Scope
of Release. Employee declares
and agrees that any Claims he may have incurred or sustained may not be fully
known to him and may be more numerous and more serious than he now believes or
expects. Further, in entering into this Release Agreement, Employee relies
wholly upon his own judgment of the future development, progress and result of
said Claims, both known and unknown, and acknowledges that he has not been
influenced to any extent whatsoever in the making of this Release Agreement by
any representations or statements regarding said Claims made by individuals or
entities who are within the definition of Company above. Employee further
acknowledges that he accepts the terms herein in full settlement and
satisfaction of all such Claims.

 

5.          Effect of Release and Covenant
Not to Sue. Employee is
barred from asserting any of the Claims described above against the
Company.  If Employee does commence, join
in, continue or in any other manner attempt to assert a Claim in violation of
this Release Agreement, or otherwise breaches any promise made in this Release
Agreement, he agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company from and against
all losses incurred by the Company, including without limitation the Company’s costs
and attorneys’ and expert fees, in defending such Claim or pursuing its rights hereunder.

 

6.          Acceptance of Release Agreement. Employee understands and agrees that, to
accept this Release Agreement, he will be required to deliver a signed and
notarized copy of the Release Agreement to the General Counsel of PQ

 

2

 

Corporation
on the date that a Change in Control occurs, as set forth in the Executive
Change in Control Agreement. Employee further understands that accepting this
Release Agreement is one of the conditions precedent to the Effective Date of
the Executive Change in Control Agreement.

 

7.          Consideration Period. Employee acknowledges that he has been provided
with a period of forty-five (45) days to consider the terms of this offer. The
45-day period will run from the date this Release Agreement first was presented
to him in connection with the Executive Change in Control Agreement on July 5,
2000. Employee agrees that any changes to this offer, whether material or
immaterial, will not restart the running of the 45-day period. Employee may
take the entire 45-day period to return this Release Agreement, or a lesser
period only if his decision to shorten the consideration period is knowing and
voluntary and was not induced in any way by the Company.

 

By signing and returning this Release Agreement, Employee acknowledges
that the consideration period afforded Employee a reasonable period of time to
consider fully each and every term of this Release Agreement and that Employee
has given the terms full and complete consideration.

 

8.          Revocation Period. Employee acknowledges that he shall have a period
of seven (7) days after signing this Release Agreement to revoke it if he chooses
to do so. If Employee elects to revoke this Release Agreement, he shall give written
notice of such revocation by delivering it to the General Counsel of PQ Corporation,
in such a manner that it is actually received within the
seven-day period.

 

9.          Advice to Consult Legal
Representative. Employee
acknowledges that he has been advised to consult with legal counsel of his
choosing regarding the meaning and binding effect of the Executive Change in
Control Agreement and this Release Agreement and each and every term thereof.

 

10.        Certification
of Understanding and Competence. Employee, intending to be legally bound
hereby, certifies and warrants that he has read carefully this Release
Agreement and has executed it voluntarily and with full knowledge and understanding
of its significance, meaning and binding effect. Employee further declares that
he is competent to understand the content and effect of this Release Agreement.

 

3

 

11.        Effective Date. This Release Agreement shall take effect on
the first business day following the expiration of the Revocation Period,
provided that Employee chooses not to revoke it.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and with the intention of being legally bound
hereby, Employee has executed this Release Agreement

 

	
  /s/
  Michael R. Imbriani

  	
   

  	
  Signed
  and Attested Before

  
	
  Michael
  R. Imbriani

  	
  Me
  This 11th Day

  
	
   

  	
  Of
  February, in the

  
	
   

  	
  Year
  2005

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  /s/ Charlotte A. Reynolds

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Notary Public

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Notarial Seal

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Charlotte A. Reynolds, Notary Public

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Tredyffrin Twp., Chester County

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  My Commission Expires June 24, 2006

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Member, Pennsylvania Association of Notaries

  	
   

  

 

4

 

APPENDIX B

 

SCHEDULE OF
BENEFITS:

TERMINATION
FOR DEATH, DISABILITY OR CAUSE;

OR
TERMINATION BY THE EXECUTIVE OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON

 

1.     Compensation. To the extent not theretofore paid, the Executive or his estate shall
be paid his Base Salary through the Date of Termination at the rate in effect
on the Date of Termination.

 

2.     Expenses. To
the extent not already paid, any expenses incurred by the Executive prior to
the Date of Termination shall be paid to him or his estate in accordance with Section 3(e).

 

3.     Vacation. Any
accrued and unused vacation pay for the vacation year in which the Date of
Termination occurs shall be paid to the Executive or his estate. All other
fringe benefits shall cease on the Date of Termination, including without
limitation holiday pay, sick leave, automobile lease, club dues and financial
planning assistance.

 

4.     Annual Bonus Plan. Any bonus payment to which the Executive is entitled pursuant to the
terms of the plan described in Section 3(b) shall be paid to the
Executive or his estate in accordance with the terms of such plan.
Notwithstanding the terms of such plan, in the event of the Executive’s
termination of employment by reason of his death or Disability, the Executive
(or his estate or beneficiaries) shall have the right to receive a pro rata
amount of the Bonus, if any, which would have been payable to the Executive for
the calendar year in which such termination occurs, determined after the end of
the calendar year in which such termination occurs and equal to the amount
which would have been payable to the Executive if Executive’s employment had
not been terminated during such calendar year multiplied by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of whole months the Executive was employed by
the Company during such calendar year and the denominator of which is 12. Any
Bonus payable under this Section 4 shall be paid within thirty days
following the determination of such Bonus amount.

 

5.     Retention Bonus. In the event of the Executive’s termination
of employment prior to February 11, 2007 by reason of his death,
Disability or resignation
without Good Reason, the Retention Bonus or a portion thereof shall be paid in
accordance with Section 3(c).

 

6.     Severance. The Executive shall be ineligible for any
severance benefit under the Severance Plan of PQ Corporation, Plan Number 509,
and the provisions of this Appendix B shall supersede in their entirety any
severance payment provisions in any other severance plan, policy, program or
arrangement maintained by the Company.

 

7.     Retirement Savings and Profit Sharing Programs. The Executive and/or his beneficiaries in
accordance with the Executive’s legally valid elections and beneficiary designations,
as the case may be, shall be entitled to all vested and accrued benefits

 

B-1

 

through the Date of Termination under the terms of the then applicable
retirement, savings and profit sharing plans, including without limitation a
supplemental executive retirement plan.

 

8.     Health and Welfare Benefits. The Executive’s participation, and that of
his dependents, in the Company’s health and welfare benefit plans shall cease
on the Date of Termination subject to any rights of conversion and continuation
coverage which the Company shall be legally required to extend to the Executive
and/or his dependents pursuant to the terms and conditions of the then
applicable health and welfare programs, including without limitation medical,
dental, vision, prescription, life insurance, short and long-term disability
plans. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if the Executive’s termination of
employment is for any reason other than for Cause, until the earlier of the
date of his death or the date on which the Executive attains age 65, he and his
eligible family members shall be eligible for continued health insurance coverage
under the Company’s plans at the rates in effect for active employees; provided
and subject in all cases to the terms of such plans as in effect from time to
time and the Executive’s continued payment of the employee portion of
applicable premiums thereunder. If and to the extent that such coverage shall
not be payable or provided under the terms of such plans because the Executive
no longer is an active employee or for any other reason, the Company itself shall,
to the extent necessary, provide for payment of such benefit to the Executive
or of an amount sufficient for him to purchase such benefits. The benefit
payable hereunder shall be paid in a single payment equal to the present value
of such benefits.

 

9.     Benefit Terms and Conditions. Except as expressly modified herein, all
terms and conditions of the Company’s benefit plans, practices, policies and
programs shall govern the Executive’s eligibility for, participation and
vesting in, and accrual and receipt of all employee benefits thereunder, and the
Company and any successor shall retain all rights as plan sponsor to amend,
modify or terminate any such plan, practice, policy or program, in its sole
discretion, which changes shall apply to the Executive as they do to other senior
executives of the Company and its subsidiaries; provided, however, that the
benefit that would have due under the supplemental executive retirement plan
referred to in Section (d)(ii) shall be provided without regard to
the termination of such plan.

 

10.  No Other Obligation. The rights of the Executive set forth in this
Appendix B Schedule of Benefits are intended to be the Executive’s
exclusive remedy for termination and, to the greatest extent permitted by
applicable law, the Executive waives all other remedies. Except as set forth in
this Appendix B Schedule of Benefits, the Company shall have no further
obligation to the Executive or to his dependents, heirs, beneficiaries,
descendants and legal representatives.

 

11.  Non-Compete Period. In the event of any termination of the Executive’s employment to which
this Appendix B applies, “Non-Compete” shall mean the 18-month period
commencing on the Date of Termination.

 

B-2

 

APPENDIX C

 

SCHEDULE OF
BENEFITS:

TERMINATION
BY THE EXECUTIVE FOR GOOD REASON;

OR
TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY OTHER THAN FOR DEATH,

DISABILITY OR CAUSE

 

Subject
to the Executive’s entering into and not revoking a Release Agreement with the
Company and receiving a Release Agreement in exchange therefor from the Company,
both in substantially the form attached hereto as Appendix D, the
Executive shall have the right to receive the following:

 

1.     Base Salary. To the extent not theretofore paid, the
Executive shall be paid his Base Salary through the Date of Termination at the
rate in effect on the Date of Termination.

 

2.     Expenses. To the extent not already paid, any
expenses incurred by the Executive prior to the Date of Termination shall be
paid to him in accordance with Section 3(e).

 

3.     Severance.

 

(a)   The Executive shall receive a payment equal
to the product of (a) the Executive’s Monthly Base Salary on the Date of
Termination and (b) the lesser of thirty-six (36) months or the number of
months between the Date of Termination and the first day of the calendar month
coincident with or immediately following the Executive’s sixty-fifth (65th)
birthday (defined as the “Severance Period”).

 

(b)   The foregoing severance benefits shall be
paid in lieu of any severance payment for which the Executive otherwise may be
eligible under the Severance Plan of PQ Corporation, Plan Number 509 (the “Severance
Plan”). It is agreed that severance benefits paid under this Schedule of
Benefits shall constitute a “separate policy” disallowing severance pay under
the Severance Plan, as provided in section 2.1(b)(6) thereof, and the
provisions of this Appendix C shall supersede in their entirety any severance
payment provisions in any other severance plan, policy, program or arrangement
maintained by the Company.

 

4.     Fringe Benefits. The Executive shall be paid for any accrued
and unused vacation time for the calendar year in which the Date of Termination
occurs. In addition, during the Severance Period, the Executive shall be
permitted to continue the automobile lease and to continue receiving payment
for club dues and financial planning assistance, as in effect on the Date of Termination,
as if the Executive had continued in active employment. The value of the automobile
lease and club dues shall continue to be grossed up to offset any tax liability
to the Executive for these fringe benefits.

 

5.     Bonus Plan. Notwithstanding any other provision of the
bonus plan references in Section 3(b), the Executive shall receive a bonus
payment for the calendar year in which the Date of Termination falls and any
succeeding calendar year or portion thereof during the Severance

 

C-1

 

Period on a pro-rated basis, based on the Executive’s “Highest Actual Bonus
Percentage,” in the five (5) year period preceding the Date of Termination.

 

6.     Retention Bonus. In the event of the Executive’s termination of employment prior to
February 11, 2007 for Good Reason or by the Company other than for Cause,
the Retention Bonus or a portion thereof shall be paid in accordance with Section 3(c).

 

7.     Profit Sharing, Retirement
and Savings Plans. During
the Severance Period, the Executive shall continue to be entitled to
participate in and earn service credit under the Company’s profit sharing,
retirement and savings plans, including without limitation a defined benefit
pension plan, a retirement savings plan (including the employer matching contribution)
and a supplemental executive retirement plan, or such comparable plans that may
be in effect, as if the Executive had continued in active employment during the
Severance Period.

 

If and to the extent that such participation and service credit under
the aforementioned plans shall not be payable or provided for the Severance
Period or any portion thereof under the terms of such plans because the
Executive no longer is an active employee or for any other reason, the Company
itself shall, to the extent necessary, provide for payment of such benefit to
the Executive. The benefit payable hereunder shall be paid in a single payment
equal to the present value of such benefits and, assuming for retirement
purposes, that the Executive retired at age 65.

 

If, at the end of the Severance Period, the Executive shall be eligible
to retire under the terms of the then applicable retirement and savings plans,
he shall be deemed to have retired and shall be eligible for any and all
benefits and rights provided to retirees under the Company’s retirement and
health and welfare programs.

 

8.     Health and Welfare Benefits. During the Severance Period, the Executive’s
participation, and that of his eligible dependents, shall continue in the
Company’s health and other welfare plans, including without limitation medical,
dental, vision, prescription, life insurance, short and long-term disability
plans, or such comparable plans that may be maintained by the Company’s
successor, as if the Executive had continued in active employment; provided and
subject in all cases to the terms of such plans as in effect from time to time
and the Executive’s continued payment of the employee portion of applicable
premiums thereunder.

 

If and to the extent that continued participation shall not be
permitted under the terms of any such health and welfare plan for the Severance
Period, or any portion thereof, because the Executive no longer is an active
employee or for any other reason, the Company itself shall, to the extent
necessary, provide for payment to the Executive in an amount equivalent to the
Executive’s cost of obtaining such benefit coverage. The benefit(s) payable hereunder
shall be paid in a single payment equal to the present value of such benefits.

 

9.     Payments Due. All payments under Sections 1, 2, 3 and 5 of this
Appendix C Schedule of Benefits shall be tendered to the Executive in a
single, lump sum payment within thirty (30) calendar days of the Date of
Termination; provided, however, that if any such payment should
require additional time to determine, then all other payments shall be made
within the

 

C-2

 

thirty (30) calendar day period, and such additional payment(s) shall
be tendered to Employee within five (5) calendar days of their
determination.

 

10.  Gross-Up Payments Pursuant
to Internal Revenue Code.

 

(a)           Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to
or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or
distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise) (a “Payment”)
would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or any interest or penalties
with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such
interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise
Tax”), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a “Gross-Up  Payment”) in an amount such that, after
payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed
with respect to such taxes and any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up
Payment), the Executive shall retain an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to
the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payment.

 

(b)           Subject to the provisions of subsection (e) hereof, all
determinations required to be made under this Section 10, including
whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment,
shall be made by the accounting firm then used by PQ Corporation, or its
successor, or another firm of independent accountants engaged by the Company
(the “Accounting Firm”), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations
both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen (15) business days after
the Date of Termination or such earlier time as is requested by the Company.
Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and
the Executive.

 

(c)           The initial Gross-Up Payment, if any, as determined pursuant to this
section, shall be paid to the Executive within five (5) days of the
receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination. If the Accounting Firm
determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the
Executive with an opinion that he has substantial authority not to report any
Excise Tax on his federal income tax return.

 

(d)           As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999
of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm
hereunder, it is possible that a Gross-Up Payment which will not have been made
by the Company should have been made (“Underpayment”), consistent with
the calculations required to be made hereunder.  In the event that the Company exhausts its
remedies pursuant to this Section 10, and the Executive thereafter
is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall
determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment
shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.

 

(e)           The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the
Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the
Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable, but no later

 

C-3

 

than ten (10) business days after the Executive knows of such
claim, and shall advise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on
which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such
claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period following the date
on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on
the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the
Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such
period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:

 

(i)            Give the Company any information reasonably
requested by the Company relating to such claim,

 

(ii)           Take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company
shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including without
limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an
attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

 

(iii)          Cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to
contest such claim, and

 

(iv)          Permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such
claim;

 

provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all
costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in
connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive
harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax, including
interest and penalties with respect thereto, imposed as a result of such
representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the
foregoing provisions of this Section 10, the Company shall control
all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, in its sole
discretion, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals,
proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of
such claim and may, in its sole discretion, either direct the Executive to pay
the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible
manner. The Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination
before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in
one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided,
however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue
for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the
Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold the
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income or
employment tax, including interest or penalties with respect thereto, imposed
with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect
to such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of
limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive
with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited
solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the
contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment
would be payable hereunder, and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue
Service or any other taxing authority.

 

C-4

 

(f)            If, after the receipt by the Executive of an
amount advanced by the Company pursuant to subsection (e) the Executive becomes
entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall
(subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of subsection (e))
promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any
interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after
the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to subsection (e),
a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim, and the Company does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of thirty (30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be
forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid, and the amount of such advance
shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to
be paid.

 

11.  Benefit Terms and Conditions. Except as expressly modified herein, all
terms and conditions of the Company’s benefit plans, practices, policies and
programs shall govern the Executive’s eligibility for, participation and
vesting in, and accrual and receipt of all employee benefits thereunder, and
the Company and any successor shall retain all rights as plan sponsor to amend,
modify or terminate any such plan, practice, policy or program, in its sole
discretion, which changes shall apply to the Executive as they do to other
senior executives of the Company and its subsidiaries; provided, however, that
the benefit that would have due under the supplemental executive retirement
plan referred to in Section (d)(ii) shall be provided without regard
to the termination of such plan.

 

12.  No Other Obligation. The rights of the Executive set forth in this Appendix C Schedule of
Benefits are intended to be the Executive’s exclusive remedy for termination
and, to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law, the Executive waives
all other remedies.  Except as set forth
in this Appendix C Schedule of Benefits, the Company shall have no further
obligation to the Executive or to his dependents, heirs, beneficiaries,
descendants and legal representatives.

 

13.  Non-Compete Period. In the event of any termination of the Executive’s employment to which
this Appendix C applies, “Non-Compete” shall mean the Severance Period.

 

C-5

 

Appendix D

 

EXECUTIVE RELEASE

 

1.  I, Michael R. Imbriani, for and in
consideration of certain payments to be made and the benefits to be provided to
me under Section 5 of the Agreement to which this Appendix D is attached,
dated as of February 11, 2005, (the “Agreement”) with PQ Corporation (the
“Company”), and conditioned upon such payments and provisions, do hereby
REMISE, RELEASE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE the Company and each of its parent
corporations, subsidiaries and affiliates, their officers, directors,
shareholders, partners, employees and agents, their respective successors and
assigns, heirs, executors and administrators (hereinafter collectively included
within the term the “Company”), acting in any capacity whatsoever, of and from
any and all manner of actions and causes of actions, suits, debts, claims and
demands whatsoever in law or in equity, which I ever had, now have, or
hereafter may have, or which my heirs, executors or administrators hereafter
may have, by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever from the date of
the Agreement to the date of this Executive Release arising from or relating in
any way to my employment relationship, and the terms, conditions and benefits payments
resulting therefrom, including the payments and benefits under Section 5
of the Agreement, and the termination of my employment relationship with the
Company, including but not limited to, any claims which have been asserted,
could have been asserted, or could be asserted now or in the future under any
federal, state or local laws, including any claims under the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act (“ADEA”), as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 621 et  seq,
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as  amended, 42 U.S.C § 2000e
et  seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act, as  amended,
42 U.S.C. §12101 et  seq., the Family and Medical Leave Act of
1993, as  amended. 29 U.S.C, § 2601 et  seq.,
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as  amended,
29 U.S.C. § 1001, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, as  amended,
Pa. Stat. Tit. 43, § 951 et seq., and the common law of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, any contracts between the Company and me and any common law
claims now or hereafter recognized and all claims for counsel fees and costs,
provided, however, that this Executive Release shall not apply to (i) any
entitlements under the terms of the Agreement or under any other plans or
programs of the Company in which I participated and under which I have accrued and
am due a benefit nor (ii) to my right to be indemnified by the Company,
pursuant to Section 10 of the Agreement.

 

2.  Subject to the limitations of paragraph 1
above, I expressly waive all rights afforded by any statute which expressly
limits the effect of a release with respect to unknown claims. I understand the
significance of this release of unknown claims and the waiver of statutory protection
against a release of unknown claims which provides that a general release does
not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in
his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by it must have
materially affected its settlement with the debtor.

 

3.
 I hereby agree and recognize that my
employment by the Company was permanently and irrevocably severed on               ,
200     and the Company has no obligation, contractual or
otherwise to me to hire, rehire or re-employ me in the future. I acknowledge
that

 

D-1

 

the
terms of the Agreement provide me with payments and benefits which are in
addition to any amounts to which I otherwise would have been entitled.

 

4.
 I hereby agree and acknowledge that the
payments and benefits provided by the Company are to bring about an amicable
resolution of my employment arrangements and are not to be construed as an
admission of any violation of any federal, state or local statute or
regulation, or of any duty owed by the Company and that this Executive Release
is made voluntarily to provide an amicable resolution of my employment
relationship with the Company.

 

5.  I hereby certify that I have read the terms
of this Executive Release, that I have been advised by the Company to discuss
it with my attorney, and that I understand its terms and effects. I
acknowledge, further, that I am executing this Executive Release of my own
volition with a full understanding of its terms and effects and with the
intention of releasing all claims recited herein in exchange for the
consideration described in the Agreement, which I acknowledge is adequate and
satisfactory to me. None of the above-named parties, nor their agents,
representatives, or attorneys have made any representations to me concerning
the terms or effects of this Executive Release other than those contained
herein.

 

6.
 I hereby acknowledge that I have been
informed that I have the right to consider this Executive Release for a period
of 21 days prior to execution. I also
understand that I have the right to revoke this Executive Release for a period
of seven days following execution by giving written notice to the Company.

 

Intending
to be legally bound hereby, I execute the foregoing Executive Release this day
of          , 200    .

 

 

	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  Witness

  	
  Michael R. Imbriani

  	
   

  

 

D-2

 

COMPANY RELEASE

 

1.             PQ Corporation, and on behalf of each of its
parent, subsidiaries and affiliates, their officers, directors, shareholders,
partners, employees and agents, their respective successors and assigns, heirs,
executors and administrators (hereinafter collectively included within the term
“PQ”), for and in consideration of the release of Michael R. Imbriani (“Executive”)
given under the Agreement dated as of February 11, 2005 (hereinafter the “Agreement”)
to which this Company Release is attached, and other good and valuable
consideration, does hereby REMISE, RELEASE, AND FOREVER DISCHARGE Executive,
his assigns, heirs, executors and administrators (hereinafter collectively
included within the term “Executive”), acting in any capacity whatsoever, of
and from any and all manner of actions and causes of actions, suits, debts,
claims and demands whatsoever in law or in equity, which it ever had, now have,
or hereafter may have, by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever from February 11,
2005 to the date of this Company Release arising from or relating in any way to
Executive’s employment relationship and the termination of his employment
relationship with PQ and the termination of the Agreement, including but not
limited to, any claims which have been asserted, could have been asserted, or
could be asserted now or in the future under any federal, state or local laws,
any contracts between PQ and Executive and any common law claims now or hereafter
recognized and all claims for counsel fees and costs, but in no event shall
this release apply to the enforcement of the terms of the Agreement nor shall
this release be effective until the eighth day after the execution, without
revocation, of Executive’s Release, substantially in the form set forth above
in this Appendix D.

 

2.             PQ expressly waives all rights afforded by
any statute which expressly limits the effect of a release with respect to
unknown claims. PQ acknowledges the significance of this release of unknown
claims and the waiver of statutory protection against a release of unknown claims
which provides that a general release does not extend to claims which the
creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his favor at the time of
executing the release, which if known by it must have materially affected its
settlement with the debtor

 

3.              PQ hereby certifies that it has been advised
by counsel in the preparation and review of this Company Release.

 

Intending
to be legally bound hereby, PQ executed the foregoing Company Release this      
day of                 ,
200    

 

	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  	
   

  
	
  Witness

  	
   

  	
   

  

 

D-3Exhibit 10.9

 

	
  

  	
  P O. Box 840

  
	
  Valley Forge. PA 19482-0840

  
	
  USA

  
	
   

  
	
  1200 West Swedesford Road

  
	
   

  	
  Berwyn, PA 19312-1077

  
	
   

  	
  USA

  
	
   

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Fax: (610) 251-9133

  
	
   

  	
  Direct Dial:610-651-4310

  

 

April 6,
2005

 

Mr. Michael
R. Imbriani

Vice
Chairman

PQ
Corporation

PO
Box 840

Valley
Forge, PA 19312

 

 

Dear
Michael:

 

This
will confirm that a typographical error was made in Appendix C, Section 5
of your Employment Agreement dated February 11, 2005. Specifically the
phrase “Highest Target Bonus Percentage” on the top of page C-2 (Line 1) is incorrect. This phrase
should read “Highest Actual Bonus Percentage”.

 

Please
confirm your agreement with the foregoing by signing in the space provided
below and returning an original to my attention. I apologize for the typing
error.

 

Sincerely,

 

	
  /s/ William J. Sichko

  	
   

  
	
  William
  J. Sichko

  
	
  Chief
  Administrative Officer

  
	
   

  
	
   

  
	
  AGREED:

  	
  /s/
  Michael R. Imbriani

  	
   

  
	
   

  	
  Michael R. Imbriani

  	
   

  
	
   

  
	
   

  
	
  cc: 
  Bob Lichtenstein

  
	
  Maureen Riley

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