Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.30

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
--------------------

         This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is made as of June 1, 1999
by and between OM Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Employer"), and Edward
W. Kissel, of 464 North Portage Path ("Executive").

         WHEREAS, Employer and Executive desire to enter into this Agreement to
provide for Executive's continued employment with Employer.

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

         1. DEFINITIONS.

                  (a) Accounting Firm shall mean a nationally recognized
         accounting firm (see section 11(b)).

                  (b) Agreement shall mean this Employment Agreement.

                  (c) Bank shall mean National City Bank or another bank having
         combined capital surplus in excess of $500 million (see section 14(b)).

                  (d) Board shall mean the Board of Directors of the Employer
         (see section 1(f)).

                  (e) Cause shall have the meaning set forth in section 10(iii).

                  (f) Change in Control shall mean the occurrence, at any time
         during the Term of this Agreement, of any of the following events:

                            (i) The Employer is merged, consolidated or
                  reorganized into or with another corporation or other legal
                  person, and immediately after such merger, consolidation or
                  reorganization less than a majority of the combined voting
                  power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation
                  or person immediately after such transaction are held in the
                  aggregate by the holders of Voting Stock (as that term is
                  hereafter defined) of the Employer immediately prior to such
                  transaction;

                            (ii) The Employer sells all or substantially all of
                  its assets to any other corporation or other legal person,
                  less than a majority of the combined voting power of the
                  then-outstanding securities of such corporation or person
                  immediately after such sale are held in the aggregate by the
                  holders of Voting Stock of the Employer immediately prior
                  to such sale;

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                            (iii) There is a report filed on Schedule 13D or
                  Schedule 14D-1 (or any successor schedule, form or report),
                  each as promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of
                  1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), disclosing that any
                  person (as the term "person" is used in Section 13(d)(3) or
                  Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) has become the
                  beneficial owner (as the term "beneficial owner" is defined
                  under Rule 13d-3 or any successor rule or regulation
                  promulgated under the Exchange Act) of securities representing
                  20% or more of the combined voting power of the
                  then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the
                  election of directors of the Employer ("Voting Stock");

                            (iv) The Employer files a report or proxy statement
                  with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the
                  Exchange Act disclosing in response to Form 8-K or Schedule
                  14A (or any successor schedule, form or report or item
                  therein) that a change in control of the Employer has or may
                  have occurred or will or may occur in the future pursuant to
                  any then-existing contract or transaction; or

                            (v) If during any period of two consecutive years,
                  individuals who at the beginning of any such period constitute
                  the Directors of the Employer cease for any reason to
                  constitute at least a majority thereof, provided, however,
                  that for purposes of this clause (v), each Director who is
                  first elected, or first nominated for election by the
                  Employer's stockholders by a vote of at least two-thirds of
                  the Directors of the Employer (or a committee thereof) then
                  still in office who were Directors of the Employer at the
                  beginning of any such period will be deemed to have been a
                  Director of the Employer at the beginning of such period.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Section 1(f)(iii) or 1(f)(iv)
hereof, unless otherwise determined in a specific case by majority vote of the
Board of Directors of the Employer (the "Board"), a Change in Control shall not
be deemed to have occurred for purposes of this Agreement solely because (i) the
Employer, (ii) an entity in which the Employer directly or indirectly
beneficially owns 50% or more of the voting securities (a "Subsidiary"), or
(iii) any Employer-sponsored employee stock ownership plan or any other employee
benefit plan of the Employer, either files or becomes obligated to file a report
or a proxy statement under or in response to Schedule 13D, Schedule 14D-1, Form
8-K or Schedule 14A (or any successor schedule, form or report or item therein)
under the Exchange Act, disclosing beneficial ownership by it of shares of
Voting Stock, whether in excess of 20% or otherwise, or because the Employer
reports that a change in control of the Employer has or may have occurred or
will or may occur in the future by reason of such beneficial ownership.

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               (g) Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
         (see section 11(a)).

               (h) Discount Rate shall have the meaning set forth in section
         4(a)(i).

               (i) Employer shall mean the OM Group, Inc., a Delaware
         corporation.

               (j) Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
         as amended (see section 1(f)(iii)).

               (k) Excise Tax shall have the meaning set forth in section 11(a).

               (l) Executive shall mean the executive named in this Agreement.

               (m) Gross-Up Payment shall have the meaning set forth in section
         11(a).

               (n) Initial Term shall have the meaning set forth in section
         2(b).

               (o) Intentional shall mean only if done, or omitted to be done,
         by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that
         his action or omission was in the best interest of the Employer (see
         section 10(a)(iii)(D)).

               (p) Letter of Credit shall mean an irrevocable standby letter of
         credit (see section 14(b)).

               (q) Payment shall have the meaning set forth in section 11(a).

               (r) Renewal Term shall mean a renewal of the Initial Term (see
         section 2(b)).

               (s) Severance Payment shall mean a lump sum payment to the
         Executive in lieu of any further payments for periods subsequent to the
         Termination Date (see section 4(a)(i)).

               (t) Subsidiary shall mean an entity in which the Employer
         directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of the voting
         securities (see section 1(f)).

               (u) Termination Date shall mean the date that the Executive's
         employment is terminated (see section 4(a)).

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               (v) Term of this Agreement shall mean the Initial Term as well
         as any Renewal Term then in effect if the Initial Term has been
         extended (see section 2(b)).

               (w) Underpayment shall have the meaning set forth in section
         11(b)).

               (x) Voting Stock shall mean the then-outstanding securities
         entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Employer
         (see section 1(f)(iii)).

         2. EMPLOYMENT. Employer agrees to employ Executive and Executive
accepts such continued employment upon the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in this Agreement.

               (a) SERVICES. For the term set forth in Section 2(b), Executive
         shall serve as President and Chief Operating Officer, and shall render
         such services of an executive and administrative character as is
         consistent with such a position. For as long as Executive is so
         employed, he shall devote his full productive time, energy and ability
         to his duties, except for incidental attention to the management of his
         personal investments. Executive may serve on the board of directors of
         other companies or organizations so long as such participation does not
         conflict with the interests or business of Employer or its subsidiaries
         or materially interfere with the performance of his duties hereunder.
         In addition, Executive will be nominated to serve on the OM Group, Inc.
         board of directors to replace the retiring Chief Operating Officer,
         expected to be December 31, 1999.

               (b) TERM. Unless earlier terminated pursuant to the provisions
         of Section 10, the Initial Term of this Agreement shall commence on the
         date hereof and shall expire on May 31, 2002. If the Initial Term has
         been renewed pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 (the "Renewal
         Term"), the term of this Agreement shall extend through the expiration
         of any Renewal Term then in effect, unless earlier terminated pursuant
         to the provisions of Section 7. All references herein to the "Term of
         this Agreement" shall be deemed to refer to the Initial Term as well as
         any Renewal Term then in effect if the Initial Term has been extended
         pursuant to Section 13.

         3. COMPENSATION.

               (a) BASE COMPENSATION. The base compensation to be paid Executive
         by Employer for his services under this Agreement shall be at the
         annual rate of $400,000 for the remainder of 1999, payable in equal
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         installments every calendar month. Thereafter, Executive's base
         compensation shall be reviewed annually by the Board and may in the
         sole discretion of the Board be increased (but not decreased) after
         giving due consideration to the amounts paid to executives in
         comparable positions with comparable responsibilities and authority.

               (b) INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. In addition to the base compensation
         provided for in Section 3(a) hereof, Executive shall be entitled to
         receive an annual bonus of not less than 50% of the annual base
         compensation then in effect under Section 3(a). In addition, Executive
         will be immediately eligible to participate in the OM Group, Inc. 1998
         Long Term Incentive Plan and the awarding of stock options by the
         compensation committee of the OM Group, Inc. board of directors
         pursuant to such Plan.

               (c) FRINGE BENEFITS. In addition to the other compensation
         payable to Executive pursuant to this Section 3, Executive shall be
         entitled to receive for the Term of this Agreement but not limited to,
         health insurance, disability insurance, group life insurance, club
         memberships, education and seminar allowances, profit sharing,
         automobile allowances, annual physical examinations, and other similar
         benefits. The benefits to which Executive shall be entitled pursuant to
         this Section 3(c) shall be approved by the Board or otherwise in
         accordance with those benefits generally offered by Employer to its
         executives and shall be reasonably related to the business of Employer
         and its subsidiaries.

               (d) VACATION. Executive shall be entitled to vacation benefits
         substantially as provided by the Employer and its subsidiaries to
         executives of comparable stature. Executive will be credited with 15
         years of Continuous Service under the Vacation, Standard Holiday,
         Personal Holiday Policy resulting in four weeks vacation under the
         Policy.

               (e) OPTIONS SHARES. Upon execution of this Agreement, Executive
         will receive 15,000 option shares of OM Group, Inc. stock granted under
         the OM Group, Inc. 1998 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan at an
         exercise price equal to the opening price the day this employment
         contract is agreed upon.

               (f) SHARE GRANT SUBJECT TO CONTINGENCY Upon execution of this
         Agreement, Executive will receive a right to 15,000 shares of
         restricted stock. The shares will vest as follows:

         5,000 shares on the three year anniversary of the effective date of
         this contract, i.e. June 1, 2002.

         10,000 shares on the five year anniversary of the effective date of
         this contract, i.e. June 1, 2004.

         An amount representing accrued dividends will also be paid upon
         vesting.

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         Shares will vest immediately in the event of a Termination by Employer
         without Cause, death, permanent total disability, or in the event of a
         Change in Control.

               (g) RETIREMENT PROGRAMS Executive will be given credit for
         previous consulting and other services with OM Group, Inc. and will be
         immediately and fully vested in the OM Group, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan.
         Further, Executive will immediately become a participant in the OM
         Group, Inc. Benefit Restoration Plan or similar plan, and plan
         documents required to effect such participation will be mutually agreed
         upon.

         4.    SEVERANCE COMPENSATION.

               (a) If, following the occurrence of a Change in Control, the
         Employer shall terminate the Executive's employment during the Term of
         this Agreement other than pursuant to Section 10(a) hereof, or if the
         Executive shall terminate his employment pursuant to Section 10(b)
         hereof, the Employer shall continue to provide the following benefits
         and shall further pay to the Executive the following amounts within
         five business days after the date (the "Termination Date") that the
         Executive's employment is terminated (the effective date of which shall
         be the date of termination or such other date that may be specified by
         the Executive if the termination is pursuant to Section 10(b) hereof):

                   (i) In lieu of any further payments to the Executive for
               periods subsequent to the Termination Date, but without affecting
               the rights of the Executive referred to in Section 4(b) hereof, a
               lump sum payment (the "Severance Payment") in an amount equal to
               the present value (using a discount rate required to be utilized
               for purposes of computations under Section 280G of the Code or
               any successor provision thereto, or if no such rate is so
               required to be used, a rate equal to the then-applicable interest
               rate prescribed by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation for
               benefit valuations in connection with non-multiemployer pension
               plan terminations assuming the immediate commencement of benefit
               payments (the "Discount Rate")) of the sum of (A) the aggregate
               Base Compensation (at the highest rate in effect for any period
               prior to the Termination Date) for each remaining year or partial
               year of the Term of this Agreement which the Executive would have
               received had such termination or breach not occurred, plus (B)
               the aggregate Incentive Compensation (determined in accordance
               with the standards set forth in Section 3(b) hereof), which the
               Executive would have received pursuant to this Agreement or any
               agreement, policy, plan, program or arrangement referred to
               therein during the remainder of the Term of

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               this Agreement had his employment continued for the remainder
               of the Term of this Agreement (in which event the Executive
               will no longer be entitled to Incentive Compensation under any
               such agreement, policy, plan, program or arrangement except
               for Incentive Compensation to which he was entitled for
               service prior to the Termination Date).

                    (ii) For the remainder of the Term of this Agreement, the
               Employer shall arrange to provide the Executive with Employee
               Benefits that are welfare benefits, but not stock option, stock
               purchase, stock appreciation, or similar compensatory benefits,
               substantially similar to those which the Executive was receiving
               or entitled to receive immediately prior to the Termination Date
               (and if and to the extent that such benefits shall not or cannot
               be paid or provided under any policy, plan, program or
               arrangement of the Employer or any Subsidiary, as the case may
               be, then the Employer shall itself pay or provide for the payment
               to the Executive, his dependents and beneficiaries, such Employee
               Benefits). Without otherwise limiting the purposes or effect of
               Section 10 hereof, Employee Benefits otherwise receivable by the
               Executive pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 4(a)(ii)
               shall be reduced to the extent comparable welfare benefits are
               actually received by the Executive from another employer during
               such period following the Executive's Termination Date, and any
               such benefits actually received by the Executive shall be
               reported by the Executive to the Employer. Notwithstanding the
               foregoing, the remainder of the Term of this Agreement shall be
               considered service with the Employer for the purpose of
               determining service credits and benefits due and payable to the
               Executive under the Employer's retirement income, supplemental
               executive retirement and other benefit plans of the Employer
               applicable to the Executive or his beneficiaries immediately
               prior to the Termination Date.

               (b) Upon written notice given by the Executive to the Employer
         prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Executive, at his
         sole option, without reduction to reflect the present value of such
         amounts as aforesaid, may elect to have all or any of the Severance
         Payment payable pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) hereof paid to him on a
         quarterly or monthly basis during the remainder of the Term of this
         Agreement.

               (c) Without limiting the rights of the Executive at law or in
         equity, if the Employer fails to make any payment required to be made
         hereunder on a timely basis, the Employer shall pay interest on the
         amount thereof at an annualized rate of interest equal to the
         then-applicable Discount Rate.

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               (d) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the parties'
         respective rights and obligations under this Section 4 will survive any
         termination or expiration of this Agreement or the termination of the
         Executive's employment for any reason whatsoever.

         5. COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE.

               (a) BASIC TERM. During the term of this Agreement and for a
         period of one (1) year thereafter, Executive shall not, directly or
         indirectly, within the United States, Western Europe or Southeast Asia
         engage in any type of business in which either Employer or its
         subsidiaries are then actively engaged; provided that Executive may,
         without violating this Section 5, own directly or indirectly not more
         than five percent (5%) of the outstanding capital stock of any public
         company regardless of the business in which such public company is
         engaged.

               (b) AGREEMENT AS TO SCOPE. If, at the time of enforcement of any
         provision of Section 5(a), a court of competent jurisdiction holds that
         the restrictions stated therein are unreasonable under circumstances
         then existing, the parties agree that the maximum period, scope, or
         geographical area reasonable under such circumstances shall be
         substituted for the period, scope, or geographical area stated therein.

         6. NON-SOLICITATION. Executive agrees that, during the term of this
Agreement and for a period of one (1) year thereafter, he will not knowingly,
either directly or indirectly, for himself or for any other person or entity,
divert, call on, solicit, or take away, or attempt to divert, call on, solicit,
or take away present or actively solicited prospective employees or, with
respect to competitive products or services, any present or actively solicited
prospective suppliers (including, without limitation, cobalt suppliers) or
customers of Employer, or any of its controlled subsidiaries.

         7. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Executive acknowledges that during the
course of his employment under this Agreement he will make use of, acquire and
add to confidential information of a special and unique nature and value
relating to such matters as trade secrets, systems, procedures, manuals,
confidential reports and lists of suppliers, customers and other business
contacts of Employer and its subsidiaries, as well as the nature and type of
services rendered to such persons. Executive agrees that he will not disclose to
an unauthorized person or use for his own account any of such information
without the prior written consent of the Board, unless and to the extent that
the aforementioned matters become generally known to and available for use by
the public other than as a result of Executive's acts or omissions to act.

         8. INVENTIONS AND PATENTS. Executive agrees that any inventions,
innovations or improvements in Employer's or its subsidiaries' method of

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conducting their business (including new contributions, improvements, ideas and
discoveries, whether patentable or not) conceived or made by him during his
employment pursuant to this Agreement belong to Employer or its subsidiaries, as
the case may be. Executive shall perform any actions reasonably requested by the
Board to establish and confirm such ownership. Executive shall not claim any
right, title or interest of any kind with respect to such inventions,
innovations or improvements.

         9. REMEDY FOR BREACH. In the event of a breach by Executive of any of
the provisions of Sections 5, 6, 7, or 8 Employer or its subsidiaries, as the
case may be, may, 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 thereof.

         10. TERMINATION.

             (a) In the event of the occurrence of a Change in Control, the
         Executive's employment may be terminated by the Employer during the
         Term of this Agreement and the Executive shall not be entitled to the
         benefits provided by Sections 4 and 11 hereof only upon the occurrence
         of one or more of the following events:

                  (i)  The Executive's death;

                  (ii) If the Executive shall become permanently disabled within
             the meaning of, and begins actually receiving disability benefits
             pursuant to, the long-term disability plan in effect for senior
             executives of the Employer immediately prior to the Change in
             Control; or

                  (iii) "Cause," which for purposes of this Agreement shall mean
             that, prior to any termination pursuant to Section 10(b) hereof,
             the Executive shall have committed:

                        (A) an intentional act of fraud, embezzlement or theft
                  in connection with his duties or in the course of his
                  employment with the Employer and/or any Subsidiary;

                        (B) intentional wrongful damage to property of the
                  Employer and/or any Subsidiary;

                        (C) intentional wrongful engagement in any activity
                  prohibited by sections 5, 6, 7 or 8 hereof;

                  and any such act shall have been materially harmful to the
         Employer. For purposes of this Agreement, no act, or failure to act, on
         the part of the

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         Executive shall be deemed "intentional" if it was due primarily to an
         error in judgment or negligence, but shall be deemed "intentional" only
         if done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and
         without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best
         interest of the Employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive
         shall not be deemed to have been terminated for "Cause" hereunder
         unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a
         copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less
         than three-quarters of the Board then in office at a meeting of the
         Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to the
         Executive and an opportunity for the Executive, together with his
         counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith
         opinion of the Board, the Executive had committed an act set forth
         above in Section 10(a)(iii) and specifying the particulars thereof in
         detail. Nothing herein shall limit the right of the Executive or his
         beneficiaries to contest the validity or propriety of any such
         determination.

               (b) In the event of the occurrence of a Change in Control, this
         Agreement may be terminated by the Executive during the Term of this
         Agreement with the right to severance compensation as provided in
         Sections 4 and 11 hereof upon the occurrence of one or more of the
         following events (regardless of whether any other reason, other than
         Cause as hereinabove provided, for such termination exists or has
         occurred, including without limitation other employment):

                   (i) Any termination by the Employer of the employment of the
             Executive prior to the date upon which the Executive shall have
             attained age 65, which termination shall be for any reason other
             than for Cause or as a result of the death of the Executive or by
             reason of the Executive's disability and the actual receipt of
             disability benefits in accordance with Section 10(a)(ii) hereof; or

                   (ii) Termination by the Executive of his employment with the
             Employer and any Subsidiary within three years after the Change in
             Control upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

                        (A) Failure to elect or reelect or otherwise to maintain
                   the Executive in the office or the position, or a
                   substantially equivalent office or position, of or with the
                   Employer and/or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, which the
                   Executive held immediately prior to a Change in Control, or
                   the removal of the Executive as a Director of the Employer
                   (or any successor thereto) if the Executive shall have been a
                   Director of the Employer immediately prior to the Change in
                   Control;

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                        (B) A significant adverse change in the nature or scope
                   of the authorities, powers, functions, responsibilities or
                   duties attached to the position with the Employer and any
                   Subsidiary which the Executive held immediately prior to the
                   Change in Control, a reduction in the aggregate of the
                   Executive's Base Compensation and Incentive Compensation
                   received from the Employer and any Subsidiary, or the
                   termination or denial of the Executive's rights to Employee
                   Benefits as herein provided, any of which is not remedied
                   within 10 calendar days after receipt by the Employer of
                   written notice from the Executive of such change, reduction
                   or termination, as the case may be;

                        (C) A determination by the Executive made in good faith
                   that as a result of a Change in Control and a change in
                   circumstances thereafter significantly affecting his
                   position, including without limitation a change in the scope
                   of the business or other activities for which he was
                   responsible immediately prior to a Change in Control, he has
                   been rendered substantially unable to carry out, has been
                   substantially hindered in the performance of, or has suffered
                   a substantial reduction in, any of the authorities, powers,
                   functions, responsibilities or duties attached to the
                   position held by the Executive immediately prior to the
                   Change in Control, which situation is not remedied within 10
                   calendar days after written notice to the Employer from the
                   Executive of such determination;

                        (D) The liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation
                   or reorganization of the Employer or transfer of all or a
                   significant portion of its business and/or assets, unless the
                   successor or successors (by liquidation, merger,
                   consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to which all or a
                   significant portion of its business and/or assets have been
                   transferred (directly or by operation of law) shall have
                   assumed all duties and obligations of the Employer under this
                   Agreement pursuant to Section 17 hereof;

                        (E) The Employer shall relocate its principal executive
                   offices, or require the Executive to have his principal
                   location of work changed, to any location which is in excess
                   of 25 miles from the location thereof immediately prior to
                   the Change of Control or to travel away from his office in
                   the course of discharging his responsibilities or duties
                   hereunder significantly more (in terms of either consecutive
                   days or

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                   aggregate days in any calendar year) than was required of him
                   prior to the Change of Control without, in either case, his
                   prior written consent; or

                        (F) Without limiting the generality or effect of the
                   foregoing, any material breach of this Agreement by the
                   Employer or any successor thereto.

               (c) A termination by the Employer pursuant to Section 10(a)
         hereof or by the Executive pursuant to Section 10(b) hereof shall not
         affect any rights which the Executive may have pursuant to any
         agreement, policy, plan, program or arrangement of the Employer
         providing Employee Benefits (except as provided in Section 4(a)(ii)
         hereof), which rights shall be governed by the terms thereof. If this
         Agreement or the employment of the Executive is terminated under
         circumstances in which the Executive is not entitled to any payments
         under Sections 3, 4 or 11 hereof, the Executive shall have no further
         obligation or liability to the Employer hereunder with respect to his
         prior or any future employment by the Employer.

         11. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY EMPLOYER.

               (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
         notwithstanding, in the event that this Agreement shall become
         operative and it shall be determined (as hereafter provided) that any
         payment or distribution by the Employer or any of its affiliates 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 pursuant to or by reason of any other agreement, policy,
         plan, program or arrangement, including without limitation any stock
         option, stock appreciation right or similar right, or the lapse or
         termination of any restriction on or the vesting or exercisability of
         any of the foregoing (individually and collectively 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 successor
         provision thereto) by reason of being considered "contingent on a
         change in ownership or control" of the Employer, within the meaning of
         Section 280G of the Code (or any successor provision thereto), or any
         interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax,
         together with any such interest and penalties, being hereafter
         collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall
         be entitled to receive an additional payment or payments (individually
         and collectively, a "Gross-Up Payment"). The Gross-Up Payment shall be
         in an amount such that, after payment by the Executive of all taxes
         (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such
         taxes), including any Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the
         Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise
         Tax imposed upon the Payment.

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               (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 11(e) hereof, all
         determinations required to be made under this Section 11, including
         whether an Excise Tax is payable by the Executive and the amount of
         such Excise Tax and whether a Gross-Up Payment is required to be paid
         by the Employer to the Executive and the amount of such Gross-Up
         Payment, if any, shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting
         firm (the "Accounting Firm") selected by the Executive in his sole
         discretion. The Executive shall direct the Accounting Firm to submit
         its determination and detailed supporting calculations to both the
         Employer and the Executive within 30 calendar days after the
         Termination Date, if applicable, and any such other time or times as
         may be requested by the Employer or the Executive. If the Accounting
         Firm determines that any Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, the
         Employer shall pay the required Gross-Up Payment to the Executive
         within five business days after receipt of such determination and
         calculations with respect to any Payment to the Executive. The federal
         tax returns filed by the Executive shall be prepared and filed on a
         consistent basis with the determination of the Accounting Firm with
         respect to the Excise Tax payable by the Executive. If the Accounting
         Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it
         shall, at the same time as it makes such determination, furnish the
         Employer and the Executive an opinion that the Executive has
         substantial authority not to report any Excise Tax on his federal
         income tax return. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of
         Section 4999 of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) at the
         time of any determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is
         possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the
         Employer should have been made (an "Underpayment"), consistent with the
         calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the
         Employer exhausts or fails to pursue its remedies pursuant to Section
         11(e) hereof and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment
         of any Excise Tax, the Executive shall direct the Accounting Firm to
         determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and to
         submit its determination and detailed supporting calculations to both
         the Employer and the Executive as promptly as possible. Any such
         Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Employer to, or for the
         benefit of, the Executive within five business days after receipt of
         such determination and calculations.

               (c) The Employer and the Executive shall each provide the
         Accounting Firm access to and copies of any books, records and
         documents in the possession of the Employer or the Executive, as the
         case may be, reasonably requested by the Accounting Firm, and otherwise
         cooperate with the Accounting Firm in connection with the preparation
         and issuance of the determinations and calculations contemplated by
         Section 11(b) hereof.

               (d) The fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm for its services
         in connection with the determinations and calculations contemplated

<PAGE>   14

         by Section 11(b) hereof shall be borne by the Employer. If such fees
         and expenses are initially paid by the Executive, the Employer shall
         reimburse the Executive the full amount of such fees and expenses
         within five business days after receipt from the Executive of a
         statement therefor and reasonable evidence of his payment thereof.

               (e) The Executive shall notify the Employer in writing of any
         claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would
         require the payment by the Employer of a Gross-Up Payment. Such
         notification shall be given as promptly as practicable but no later
         than 10 business days after the Executive actually receives notice of
         such claim and the Executive shall further apprise the Employer of the
         nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to
         be paid (in each case, to the extent known by the Executive). The
         Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the earlier of (i) the
         expiration of the 30-calendar-day period following the date on which he
         gives such notice to the Employer and (ii) the date that any payment of
         amount with respect to such claim is due. If the Employer notifies the
         Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it
         desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:

                    (i) provide the Employer with any written records or
               documents in his possession relating to such claim reasonably
               requested by the Employer;

                    (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such
               claim as the Employer shall reasonably request in writing from
               time to time, including without limitation accepting legal
               representation with respect to such claim by an attorney
               competent in respect of the subject matter and reasonably
               selected by the Employer;

                    (iii) cooperate with the Employer in good faith in order
               effectively to contest such claim; and

                    (iv) permit the Employer to participate in any proceedings
               relating to such claim;

               provided, however, that the Employer shall bear and pay
         directly all costs and expenses (including interest and penalties)
         incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold
         harmless the Executive, on an after-tax basis, for and against 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 limiting the foregoing provisions of this
         Section 11(e), the Employer shall control all proceedings taken in
         connection with the contest of any claim contemplated by this Section
         11(e) and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and

<PAGE>   15
         all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with
         the taxing authority in respect of such claim (provided however, that
         the Executive may participate therein at his own cost and expense) and
         may, at its option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed
         and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner,
         and 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 Employer shall determine;
         provided, however, that if the Employer directs the Executive to pay
         the tax claimed and sue for a refund, the Employer 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 tax, including interest or penalties with
         respect thereto, imposed with respect to such advance; and provided
         further, however, that any extension of the statute of limitations
         relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with
         respect to which the contested amount is claimed to be due is limited
         solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Employer's control of
         any such contested claim 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.

               (f) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced
         by the Employer pursuant to Section 11(e) hereof, the Executive
         receives any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall
         (subject to the Employer's complying with the requirements of Section
         11(e) hereof) promptly pay to the Employer the amount of such refund
         (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after any taxes
         applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an
         amount advanced by the Employer pursuant to Section 11(e) hereof, a
         determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any
         refund with respect to such claim and the Employer does not notify the
         Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial or refund
         prior to the expiration of 30 calendar days after such determination,
         then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be
         repaid and the amount of any such advance shall offset, to the extent
         thereof, the amount or Gross-Up Payment required to be paid by the
         Employer to the Executive pursuant to this Section 11.

         12. NO MITIGATION OBLIGATION. The Employer hereby acknowledges that it
will be difficult, and may be impossible, for the Executive to find reasonably
comparable employment following the Termination Date and that the noncompetition
covenant contained in Section 5 hereof will further limit the employment
opportunities for the Executive. In addition, the Employer acknowledges that its
severance compensation plans applicable in general to its

<PAGE>   16

salaried employees do not provide for mitigation, offset or reduction of any
severance payment received thereunder. Accordingly, the parties hereto expressly
agree that the payment of the severance compensation by the Employer to the
Executive in accordance with the terms of this Agreement will be liquidated
damages, and that the Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of
any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or
otherwise, nor shall any profits, income, earnings or other benefits from any
source whatsoever create any mitigation, offset, reduction or any other
obligation on the part of the Executive hereunder or otherwise, except as
expressly provided in Section 4(a)(ii) hereof.

         13. RENEWAL. Unless either party gives written notice to the other
party at least six (6) months prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or any
Renewal Term then in effect, this Agreement shall automatically be renewed for
successive two (2) year Renewal Terms upon the same terms and conditions as were
in effect as of the commencement date of such Renewal Term.

         14. LEGAL FEES AND EXPENSES.

               (a) It is the intent of the Employer that the Executive not be
         required to incur legal fees and the related expenses associated with
         the enforcement or defense of his rights under this Agreement by
         litigation or other legal action because the cost and expense thereof
         would substantially detract from the benefits intended to be extended
         to the Executive hereunder. Accordingly, if it should appear to the
         Executive that the Employer has failed to comply with any of its
         obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Employer or
         any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this
         Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other
         action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, the
         Executive the benefits provided or intended to be provided to the
         Executive hereunder, the Employer irrevocably authorizes the Executive
         from time to time to retain counsel of his choice, at the expense of
         the Employer as hereafter provided, to represent the Executive in
         connection with the initiation or defense of any litigation or other
         legal action, whether by or against the Employer or any Director,
         officer, stockholder or other person affiliated with the Employer, in
         any jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any existing or prior attorney-client
         relationship between the Employer and such counsel, the Employer
         irrevocably consents to the Executive's entering into an
         attorney-client relationship with such counsel, and in that connection
         the Employer and the Executive agree that a confidential relationship
         shall exist between the Executive and such counsel. Without respect to
         whether the Executive prevails, in whole or in part, in connection with
         any of the foregoing, the Employer shall pay or cause to be paid and
         shall be solely responsible for any and all attorneys' and related fees
         and expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with any of the
         foregoing.

<PAGE>   17

             (b) Without limiting the generality or effect of Section 14(a)
         hereof, in order to ensure the benefits intended to be provided to the
         Executive under Section 14(a) hereof, the Employer will promptly use
         its best efforts to secure an irrevocable standby letter of credit (the
         "Letter of Credit"), issued by National City Bank or another bank
         having combined capital and surplus in excess of $500 million (the
         "Bank") for the benefit of the Executive and certain other of the
         officers of the Employer and providing that the fees and expenses of
         counsel selected from time to time by the Executive pursuant to this
         Section 14 shall be paid, or reimbursed to the Executive if paid by the
         Executive, on a regular, periodic basis upon presentation by the
         Executive to the Bank of a statement or statements prepared by such
         counsel in accordance with its customary practices. The Employer shall
         pay all amounts and take all action necessary to maintain the Letter of
         Credit during the Term of this Agreement and for two years thereafter
         and if, notwithstanding the Employer's complete discharge of such
         obligations, such Letter of Credit shall be terminated or not renewed,
         the Employer shall obtain a replacement irrevocable clean letter of
         credit drawn upon a commercial bank selected by the Employer and
         reasonably acceptable to the Executive, upon substantially the same
         terms and conditions as contained in the Letter of Credit, or any
         similar arrangement which, in any case, assures the Executive the
         benefits of this Agreement without incurring any cost or expense in
         connection therewith.

             (c) Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the parties'
         respective rights and obligations under this Section 14 will survive
         any termination or expiration of this Agreement or the termination of
         the Executive's employment for any reason whatsoever.

         15. EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS. Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement
shall create any right or duty on the part of the Employer or the Executive to
have the Executive remain in the employment of the Employer prior to any Change
in Control; provided, however, that any termination of employment of the
Executive or the removal of the Executive from his office or position in the
Employer or any Subsidiary following the commencement of any discussion with a
third person that ultimately results in a Change in Control shall be deemed to
be a termination or removal of the Executive after a Change in Control for
purposes of this Agreement.

         16. WITHHOLDING OF TAXES. The Employer may withhold from any amounts
payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes as shall be
required pursuant to any law or government regulation or ruling.

         17. SUCCESSORS AND BINDING AGREEMENT.

             (a) The Employer shall require any successor (whether direct

<PAGE>   18

         or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or
         otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of
         the Employer, by agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the
         Executive, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in
         the same manner and to the same extent the Employer would be required
         to perform if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement shall
         be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Employer and any
         successor to the Employer, including without limitation any persons
         acquiring directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the
         business and/or assets of the Employer whether by purchase, merger,
         consolidation, reorganization or otherwise (and such successor shall
         thereafter be deemed the "Employer" for the purposes of this
         Agreement), but shall not otherwise be assignable, transferable or
         delegable by the Employer.

             (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
         by the Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors,
         administrators, successors, heirs, distributees and/or legatees.

             (c) This Agreement is personal in nature and neither of the parties
         hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign, transfer or
         delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except
         as expressly provided in Sections 17(a) and 17(b) hereof. Without
         limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive's right to
         receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable, transferable or
         delegable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or
         otherwise, other than by a transfer by his will or by the laws of
         descent and distribution and, in the event of any attempted assignment
         or transfer contrary to this Section 17(c), the Employer shall have no
         liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned, transferred or
         delegated.

             (d) The Employer and the Executive recognize that each party will
         have no adequate remedy at law for breach by the other of any of the
         agreements contained herein and, in the event of any such breach, the
         Employer and the Executive hereby agree and consent that the other
         shall be entitled to a decree of specific performance, mandamus or
         other appropriate remedy to enforce performance of this Agreement.

         18. NO SET-OFF. Neither Employer nor its subsidiaries shall have any
right of set-off or counterclaim, in respect of any claim, debt or obligation,
against the payments or benefits to be made or provided to Executive under this
Agreement.

         19. NOTICES. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
which are required or may be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered personally or mailed, first
class mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or by any other express
delivery technique calling for receipted delivery, as follows:

<PAGE>   19

                  (a)      If to Executive:

                           Edward W. Kissel

                           464 North Portage Path

                           Akron, Ohio 44303

                           Telephone: (330) 864-2752

                           Facsimile: (330) 836-2524

                  (b)      If to Employer or its subsidiaries:

                           OM Group, Inc.

                           3800 Terminal Tower

                           Cleveland, Ohio 44113

                           Attention: Michael J. Scott, General Counsel

                  Telephone: (216) 781-0083

                  Facsimile: (216) 263-7756

                  With a copy to:

                  Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P.

                  4900 Key Tower

                  127 Public Square

                  Cleveland, Ohio 44114

                  Attention: Carolyn J. Buller, Esq.

                  Telephone: (216) 479-8528

                  Facsimile: (216) 479-8780

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any notice
under this Agreement will be deemed to have been given when so delivered or
mailed.

         20. SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction,

<PAGE>   20

such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other
provision or any other jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable
provision had never been contained herein.

         21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, those documents expressly
referred to herein and other documents of even date herewith embody the complete
agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any
prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties,
written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

         22. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed on separate
counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together constitute one and the same agreement.

         23. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement is intended to bind and
inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive, Employer, and their
respective successors and assigns; provided that Executive may not assign his
rights or delegate his obligations hereunder without the prior written consent
of Employer. Neither Employer nor its subsidiaries may assign their respective
rights hereunder with respect to the employment of Executive to any person or
entity other than to any of the controlled subsidiaries of the Employer.

         24. CHOICE OF LAW. All questions concerning the construction, validity
and interpretation of the employment provisions of this Agreement will be
governed by the internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of
Delaware.

         25. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. Any provision of this Agreement may be
amended or waived only with the prior written consent of Executive and Employer.

         26. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Any dispute arising out of this
Agreement (except a dispute relating to this Section 26 or Exhibit A attached
hereto) shall be submitted to the Alternative Dispute Resolution procedures
described in Exhibit A attached hereto.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Employer has caused this Agreement to be executed
by its duly authorized officer and Executive has executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.

                                         "EMPLOYER"
                                         OM GROUP, INC.

                                         By: /s/James P. Mooney
                                            --------------------------

<PAGE>   21

                                         Its: Chairman, CEO
                                             -------------------------

                                         "EXECUTIVE"

                                         /s/ Edward W. Kissel
                                         -----------------------------

                                         Printed Name: Edward W. Kissel
                                                      -----------------------<PAGE>   1
                                                                   Exhibit 10.31

                     THOMAS E. FLEMING SEPARATION AGREEMENT

         This Agreement, upon your signature, will constitute the agreement
between you and OM Group, Inc. and affiliated operating companies (referred to
herein as the "Company") on the terms of your separation from employment
(referred to herein as the "Agreement").

         You understand that you would not be entitled to all of the
consideration set forth below as a result of the termination of your employment,
and that all of this consideration is available to you only as a consideration
of your acceptance of this Agreement. This Agreement is offered to you to
resolve any and all matters and issues relating to your service with the Company
and your separation from employment.

         In exchange for the consideration described below, the parties agree as
follows:

         1.       Your employment with the Company is terminated effective
                  December 31, 1999.

         2.       You agree to amend the non-competition clause of your
                  employment contract to a three year (3) period.

         3.       The Company will provide you with the following:

                  (a)      The Company will continue to pay your base salary, in
                           monthly installments, through June 30, 2000.

                  (b)      You will receive your bonus for the 1999 fiscal year
                           in the amount of $177,000.

                  (c)      Your health insurance will continue in force under
                           the provisions of the OMG Medical Plan provisions for
                           retired officers.

                  (d)      You will have an opportunity to continue in force the
                           supplemental split dollar life insurance policies
                           which will be assigned to you. The Cash Surrender
                           value of these policies in the amount of
                           approximately $20,000. You will be responsible for
                           payment of the premium in order to continue these
                           policies.

                  (e)      Lease and insurance payments for your automobile will
                           continue until the termination of the lease in May,
                           2000.

                  (f)      Dues will be paid for your club memberships through
                           December 31, 1999.

                  (g)      You will be vested in the OMG Benefit Restoration
                           Plan and eligible for periodic or lump sum payments
                           under the plan. Your account balance eligible for
                           payout is approximately $120,000.

<PAGE>   2

[Name]
March 13, 2000
Page 2

         3.       In return for the above monies to be paid and benefits to be
                  provided by the Company, the sufficiency of which is hereby
                  acknowledged by you, you agree on behalf of yourself, your
                  heirs, administrators, executors and assigns to WAIVE, RELEASE
                  AND PROMISE never to assert any or all claims that you have or
                  might have, based upon any occurrence to the effective date of
                  this Agreement, against OM GROUP, INC., its predecessors,
                  parent corporations, subsidiaries, affiliates, related
                  entities, officers, directors, shareholders, agents,
                  attorneys, employees, successors, or assigns, arising from or
                  related to your employment and/or the termination of your
                  employment.

                  These claims include, but are not limited to, any and all
                  claims, causes of action, suits, claims for attorneys' fees,
                  damages or demand; all claims of discrimination, on any basis,
                  including, without limitation, claims of race, sex, age,
                  ancestry, national origin, religion and/or disability
                  discrimination; any and all claims arising under federal,
                  state and/or local statutory, or common law, such as, but not
                  limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended,
                  including the amendments to the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the
                  Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in
                  Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection
                  Act; any and all claims arising under any other state and/or
                  local anti-discrimination statute and the law of contract and
                  tort; and any and all claims, demands and causes of action
                  including, but not limited to, claims of breach of public
                  policy, unjust discharge or breach of contract.

                  You further WAIVE, RELEASE, AND PROMISE never to assert any
                  such claims, even if you presently believe you have no such
                  claims.

         4.       You also agree that you will not initiate or pursue any
                  lawsuit against the Company or its affiliates for any claims
                  of any type you might have against the Company based on any
                  act or event occurring on or before the effective date this
                  Agreement, including claims based on future effects of any
                  past acts. You also represent that you have not filed or
                  initiated any lawsuit against the Company or any Company
                  affiliate, and you acknowledge that the Company is relying on
                  such representations in entering into this Agreement with you.

                  You understand that the claims you are releasing do not
                  include rights or claims which may arise out of acts occurring
                  after the effective date of this Agreement which do not in any
                  way relate to the facts and circumstances of this Agreement of
                  your employment relationship with the Company.

<PAGE>   3

[Name]
March 13, 2000
Page 3

                  You also understand that the above provisions in this
                  paragraph shall not preclude you from instituting an action to
                  seek relief for any breach of this Agreement, or from
                  challenging the validity of this Agreement.

         5.       You understand that neither you nor the Company make any
                  admission of any failing or wrongdoing by entering in this
                  Agreement. You understand that the Company is not offering
                  this Agreement because it believes that you have any valid
                  legal claims against the Company. Instead, this Agreement is
                  offered to provide you with additional compensation upon your
                  employment termination.

         6.       You represent that you have returned to the Company any and
                  all property of the Company and information you have about the
                  Company's practices, procedures, trade secrets, customer
                  lists, or product list or product marketing. You further agree
                  not to divulge or reveal any trade secret or confidential
                  information of the Company, including but not limited to,
                  processes, procedures, formula or designs, or business plans,
                  financial information or customer lists.

         7.       You agree not to at any time divulge, disclose, or communicate
                  to any person, firm, or corporation, the existence of, or any
                  terms of, this Agreement or the circumstances relating to it
                  except as may be necessary to effectuate the terms of this
                  Agreement with your counsel and/or accountant who will also
                  hold this matter in strictest confidence. You agree not to
                  make any statements, whether written or oral, not take any
                  action which would result in the injury or impairment of the
                  reputation or goodwill of the Company or any of its
                  affiliates.

         8.       You understand and agree that in the event you breach any of
                  your obligations under this Agreement or as otherwise imposed
                  by law, the Company will pursue to recover the benefits paid
                  under the Agreement and to obtain all other relief provided by
                  law or equity including attorney fees.

<PAGE>   4

[Name]
March 13, 2000
Page 4

         9.       You understand that the Company does not intend to reinstate
                  you to employment and that the Company shall have no
                  obligation to consider you for future employment at any time
                  hereafter.

         10.      The following is required by the Older Workers Benefit
                  Protection Act:

                  (a)      You have up to 21 days from the date of this letter
                           to accept the terms of this Separation Agreement,
                           although you may accept it at any time within those
                           21 days. You waive any right you may have to
                           additional time beyond this consideration period
                           within which to consider this Release. You understand
                           that no payments will be made unless and until you
                           sign this Agreement. You further understand that you
                           do not have to wait the entire 21 day period but may
                           sign this Agreement at any time during the period.
                           Prior to signing, you are advised to consult with an
                           attorney of your own choosing to discuss all aspects
                           of the Agreement.

                  (b)      To accept the Agreement, please date and sign this
                           letter and return it to me. (An extra copy for your
                           files is enclosed.) Once you do so, you will have an
                           additional seven (7) days in which to revoke your
                           acceptance. To revoke, you must deliver to me a
                           written statement of revocation by hand-delivery or
                           registered mail, return receipt requested. I must
                           receive this revocation by the close of business on
                           the seventh (7th) day after you have signed this
                           letter. If you do not revoke, the eighth day after
                           the date of your acceptance will be the effective
                           date of the Agreement.

                  (c)      In the event you decline to accept the terms of this
                           Agreement, or having accepted them, effectively
                           revoke the acceptance thereof, this Agreement shall
                           have no force or effect, and neither its terms, nor
                           any of the discussions of the parties relative to its
                           negotiation shall be admissible in any court or
                           arbitration proceeding.

         11.      To the extent governed by the law of any State, this Agreement
                  shall be governed by and interpreted and construed in
                  accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio. If any
                  provision of this Agreement shall, for any reason, be adjudged
                  by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or
                  unenforceable, in whole or in part, such judgment shall not
                  affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this Agreement.

<PAGE>   5

[Name]
March 13, 2000
Page 5

         12.      This Agreement, which consists of six (6) typewritten pages,
                  set forth the entire Agreement between you and the Company
                  concerning the matters discussed herein.

                                             Sincerely,

                                             OM Group, Inc.

                                             Michael J. Scott
                                             Vice President & General Counsel

         By signing this letter, I acknowledge that no promise or inducement has
been offered to me to enter into this Agreement, except as expressly set forth
herein, and that this Agreement is executed without reliance upon any statements
or representations by the Company, except as expressly provided herein. I
further acknowledge that: I have had sufficient time to consider this Agreement
before signing it; I have carefully read this Agreement; I fully understand the
terms of the Agreement; and I am entering into it voluntarily.

Date: __________________________

________________________________        Signature: /s/ Thomas E. Fleming
                                                   ---------------------
                                                   Thomas E. Fleming

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