Document:

EXHIBIT 10.18

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT (the  Agreement) is entered into effective as of January
1, 2001 between RENTECH, INC., a Colorado corporation (the Company), and CHARLES
B. BENHAM (the Employee) in consideration of the following circumstances.

         A. The Employee is presently  employed by the Company as Vice President
- Research and Development.

         B. The Board of Directors of the Company  recognizes  that the Employee
has made a  substantial  contribution  to the growth and success of the Company.
The Board  believes  that it is in the best  interests  of the  Company  and its
shareholders  for the Company to continue its  employment of the  Employee.  The
Board has  determined  that the  Company  should  enter into this  Agreement  to
encourage  and secure the  Employee's  continued  dedication to the Company as a
member of its management and to retain the experience, abilities and services of
the Employee.

         C. The Employee is willing to continue to be employed by the Company on
the terms and conditions of the following Agreement.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the background  circumstances and
the following agreements, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Employment. The Company agrees to employ the Employee and the Employee agrees
to perform  services  for and continue in the  employment  of the Company on the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

2. Term. The term of employment will begin on the date of this Agreement and end
three years later on December 31, 2003;  provided,  however,  that  beginning on
December 31, 2001 and each December 31 thereafter,  the term of employment shall
automatically be extended each such time, on the same terms and conditions,  for
one additional year beyond the end of the  then-current  term,  unless not later
than January 15 of each year  starting  January 15, 2001 and  continuing on each
succeeding  year,  either party has given written notice to the other party that
it elects not to extend the term. For example,  unless either the Company or the
Employee  elects in writing not to extend the term of  employment by January 15,
2001, the term of employment will be extended to December 31, 2004.  However, if
either the Company or the  Employee  elects in writing not to extend the term of
employment by January 15, 2001, the term of employment  will end on December 31,
2003.

3.  Position  and  Duties.  The  Employee  shall  serve as the Vice  President -
Research  and   Development  of  the  Company  with  such  duties,   powers  and
responsibilities  as the Board of  Directors  or Chief  Employee  Officer of the
Company may reasonably  specify from time to time. The Employee shall devote all
his working time and efforts to his responsibilities under this Agreement and to
the business and affairs of the Company and its  subsidiaries  and affiliates in
accordance with the standards of the industry,  and shall not be employed by any
other person or entity.

4. Place of Performance.  In connection with the employment,  the Employee shall
be based  either at the  principal  executive  offices  of the  Company,  at the
location of one of its other offices or plant locations in the Denver,  Colorado
metropolitan area, or at the offices of one of the Company's subsidiaries in the
Denver, Colorado metropolitan area.

<PAGE>

5.  Compensation and Related Matters.

         5.1 Salary.  During the period of the Employee's  employment hereunder,
the Company shall pay the Employee a salary of not less than $150,948 per annum.
The salary shall be paid in equal monthly installments,  in advance. This salary
shall be increased annually according to an appropriate cost of living index for
the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area, and shall not be reduced during the term
of this Agreement.  Compensation of the Employee by salary payments shall not be
deemed  exclusive and shall not prevent the Employee from  participating  in any
other compensation arrangement, deferred compensation plan, bonus or bonus plan,
stock  options,   stock  appreciation  rights,  similar  executive  compensation
arrangements,  or employee  benefit  plan of the  Company.  The salary  payments
(including any increased  salary  payments) shall not in any way limit or reduce
any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement or under other employee
benefit plans. No other  compensation,  benefit or payment to the Employee shall
in any way limit or reduce the  obligation of the Company to pay the  Employee's
salary under this Agreement.

         5.2  Expenses.  During  the  term  of the  Employee's  employment,  the
Employee shall be promptly  reimbursed for all reasonable  expenses  incurred by
the Employee in performing services for the Company; provided that such expenses
are incurred and accounted for in  accordance  with the policies and  procedures
established  by the Company.  The expenses  reimbursed  shall  include  costs of
travel and living expenses while away from home on business or at the request of
and in the service of the Company.

         5.3 Other  Benefits.  The  Employee  shall  continue  to be entitled to
participate in all of the Company's  employee  benefit plans and arrangements in
effect on the date of this  Agreement,  or in substituted  plans or arrangements
providing the Employee with at least equivalent benefits.  The Company shall not
make any changes in such plans and arrangements  that would adversely affect the
Employee's  rights or benefits,  unless such change occurs pursuant to a program
applicable   to  all   officers  of  the  Company  and  does  not  result  in  a
proportionately greater reduction in the rights or benefits of the Employee than
those of any other executive officers of the Company. The Employee shall also be
entitled to participate in or receive  benefits under any employee  benefit plan
or  arrangement  made  available  by the Company in the future to its  executive
officers,  on  a  basis  consistent  with  the  terms,  conditions  and  overall
administration of such plans and arrangements.  Any payments or benefits payable
to the Employee in respect to any calendar  year or fiscal year during which the
Employee is employed by the Company for less than the entire year shall,  unless
otherwise  provided  in the  applicable  plan or  arrangement,  be  prorated  in
accordance with the number of days in the year during which he is so employed.

6.  Termination.

         The Employee's employment hereunder may be terminated with no breach of
this Agreement only under the following circumstances:

         6.1 Death. The Employee's employment hereunder shall terminate upon his
death.

<PAGE>

         6.2 Disability.  The Company may terminate the Employee's employment if
Employee  shall sustain a Disability (as  subsequently  defined in this Section)
and be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities during the term of this
Agreement,  as shall  have  been  certified  by at least two duly  licensed  and
qualified physicians,  one approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and
one approved by Employee (the Examining  Physicians),  and the Employee has been
absent from his duties under this Agreement on a full-time basis for a period of
six consecutive months.  "Disability" means the complete and total disability of
Employee  resulting  from injury,  sickness,  disease,  or infirmity due to age,
whereby Employee is unable to perform his usual services for the Company.

         6.3 Cause.  This Agreement shall  immediately be terminated and neither
party shall have any  obligation  thereafter  if the  Employee's  employment  is
terminated for "Cause." Termination for Cause means termination  resulting from:
(i)  theft  or  dishonesty  in  the  conduct  of  the  Company's  business,   or
intoxication  while on duty resulting from use of alcohol or illegal drugs; (ii)
deliberate  misconduct,  including  violation  of written  Company  policies  or
provisions of federal or state law,  which could be  materially  damaging to the
Company  without  reasonable good faith belief by the Employee that such conduct
is in the best interests of the Company; or (iii) Employee's final conviction of
a felony involving moral turpitude.  If the Employee is advised that he is being
terminated  for Cause and within  fifteen days  thereafter  submits to the Chief
Executive  Officer  or Chief  Operating  Officer a written  objection  to such a
determination,  the  termination  will be  rescinded  and will not be  effective
unless the Board of  Directors  of the  Company at or before its next  regularly
scheduled  meeting  determines by majority vote that the Employee was terminated
for Cause.

         6.4  Termination  by the  Employee.  The  Employee  may  terminate  his
employment  under  this  Agreement  with no  breach:  (i) for  Good  Reason,  as
subsequently defined; (ii) for purposes of retiring at age 65 or more, by giving
written  notice  to that  effect;  or (iii)  if the  Employee's  health  becomes
impaired to an extent that he is unable to diligently and skillfully perform his
employment  duties  or  that  makes  his  continued  performance  of his  duties
hazardous  to his  physical  or mental  health or his  life,  provided  that the
Employee has  furnished  the Company with a written  statement  from a qualified
doctor to such effect and provided,  further that, at the Company's request, the
Employee  submits to an examination by a doctor selected by the Company and such
doctor concurs in the conclusion of the Employee's doctor.

         For  purposes  of this  Agreement,  "Good  Reason"  shall  mean:  (a) a
decrease in the total amount of the Employee's  annual salary below its level in
effect for the previous  twelve  months,  or a decrease,  without the Employee's
written consent, in the bonus share, based on the Company's profit-sharing plan,
to which the Employee may be entitled, for the previous twelve months, provided,
however,  nothing  herein  shall be  construed to guarantee a bonus award to the
Employee;  or (b) a geographical  relocation of the Employee without his written
consent;  (c) a failure by the Company to comply with any material  provision of
this  Agreement  which has not been cured  within ten days after  notice of such
noncompliance  has  been  given  by the  Employee  to the  Company;  or (d)  any
purported termination of the Employee's employment which is not made pursuant to
a Notice of Termination  complying with the requirements of Section 6.5 (and for
purposes of this Agreement no such purported non-complying  termination shall be
effective).

         6.5 Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Employee's employment
by the Company or by the Employee  (other than  termination  pursuant to Section
6.1 shall be  communicated  by written  Notice of Termination to the other party
hereto.  For purposes of this Agreement,  a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a
notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement
relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for  termination of the Employee's  employment  under
the provision so indicated.

         6.6 Date of Termination.  "Date of Termination"  shall mean: (i) if the
Employee's employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death, (ii) if
the Employee's  employment is terminated for Disability pursuant to Section 6.2,
thirty days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Employee has
not returned to the  performance of his duties on a full-time  basis during such
thirty-day period),  (iii) if the Employee's  employment is terminated for Cause
pursuant to Section 6.3, the date  specified in the Notice of  Termination,  and

<PAGE>

(iv) if the Employee's  employment is terminated for any other reason,  the date
on which a Notice of  Termination is given.  If the party  receiving a Notice of
Termination  notifies  the other  party  that a dispute  exists  concerning  the
termination,  the Date of Termination  shall be the date on which the dispute is
finally determined.  Such a dispute shall be finally determined either by mutual
written agreement of the parties,  by a binding and final arbitration  award, or
by a final judgment,  order or decree of a court of competent  jurisdiction (the
time for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected).

7. Compensation Upon Termination.

         7.1 Death. If the Employee's employment is terminated by his death, the
Company  shall  continue to pay salary for a period of twelve  months  after the
Date of  Termination,  at the Employee's  last annual salary rate and subject to
applicable tax withholding,  to the Employee's personal representative,  for the
benefit  of his  spouse,  or if none,  his  estate.  This  sum  shall be paid in
semimonthly  installments at the rate of salary in effect immediately before the
death.  The installments  shall start on the Company's  regular payday following
the death and continue on each regular payday thereafter until a total of twelve
bi-monthly installments have been paid.

         7.2  Disability.  During any period that the Employee  fails to perform
his  employment  duties as a result of a  Disability  (Disability  Period),  the
Employee  shall  continue  to receive his full salary at the rate then in effect
until his  employment  is  terminated  pursuant to Section  6.2,  provided  that
payments made to the Employee during the first 180 days of the Disability Period
shall be reduced by the sum of the amounts,  if any,  payable to the Employee at
or  prior to the  time of any  payment  under  disability  benefit  plans of the
Company and which were not  previously  applied to reduce any payment of salary.
If the Employee  terminates his employment for disability  under clause (iii) of
Section 6.4, the Company shall pay the Employee his full salary through the Date
of Termination at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given,
and as severance pay, an amount equal to the Employee's  annual salary in effect
as of the Date of  Termination.  This payment  shall be made in a lump sum on or
before the 30th day following the Date of Termination.

         7.3 Cause.  If the Employee's  employment is terminated for Cause,  the
Company  shall pay the Employee his full salary  through the date of delivery to
him of a Notice of  Termination.  Salary  shall be paid at the rate in effect at
the time Notice of  Termination  is  effective,  and the  Company  shall have no
further obligations to the Employee under this Agreement.

         7.4  Company's  Breach of  Contract;  Termination  by Employee for Good
Reason.  The  Company's  termination  of  employee's  employment  other  than as
provided  in this  Agreement,  including  a  purported  termination  pursuant to
Sections 6.2 or 6.3 that is disputed by the Employee and finally  determined not
to have been in accordance with this Agreement,  shall be a wrongful termination
by the  Company  in breach of this  Agreement.  In the event of such a  wrongful
termination,  or if the Employee shall terminate his employment for Good Reason,
then:

         (a) the Company shall pay the Employee his full salary through the Date
of Termination at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given;

         (b) the Company  shall pay the  Employee,  as severance  pay in lieu of
further  salary  payments to the Employee for periods  subsequent to the Date of
Termination, an amount equal to three times the Employee's annual salary rate in
effect as of the Date of  Termination,  in a lump sum on or before  the 20th day
following the Date of Termination; and

<PAGE>

         (c) the Company  shall pay all other  damages to which the Employee may
be  entitled  as a  result  of the  breach,  including  damages  for all loss of
benefits to the Employee  under the  Company's  profit  sharing  plan,  employee
benefit  plans and any  supplemental  retirement  income plan that the  Employee
would have received if the Company had not breached  this  Agreement and had the
Employee's  employment continued for the full term provided in Section 2 of this
Agreement,  at the rate of  compensation  specified in this  Agreement,  and all
legal fees and expenses incurred by him as a result of the termination.

8. Counsel Fees and Indemnification.

         8.1  Attorney  Fees and Costs.  The Company  shall pay, or reimburse to
Employee,  all reasonable costs incurred by him,  including  attorneys' fees and
costs, in the following circumstances:  (i) if the Company terminates,  or seeks
to terminate this Agreement,  alleging as  justification  for such termination a
material  breach by  Employee  or for Cause as  described  in Section  6.3,  and
Employee  disputes  such  termination  or  attempted  termination,  and Employee
prevails,  or (ii) if Employee  elects to terminate  his services  hereunder for
Good  Reason as  specified  in Section  6.4 of this  Agreement,  and the Company
disputes its obligation to pay to Employee the sums of money provided in Section
7.4, and Employee prevails.

         8.2  Indemnification.  The Company  shall  indemnify  and hold Employee
harmless as required by the Company's bylaws against judgments,  fines,  amounts
paid in settlement and reasonable  expenses,  including attorneys' fees incurred
by Employee,  in connection with the defense of, or as a result of any action or
proceeding  (or any appeal from any action or  proceeding)  in which Employee is
made or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that he is or was
an officer of the  Company.  Indemnification  shall be  provided  regardless  of
whether  such  action or  proceeding  is one  brought  by or in the right of the
Company, to procure a judgment in its favor (or other than by or in the right of
the Company). These obligations of the Company are independent of, and shall not
be limited or prejudiced by, the Company's other undertakings  specified in this
Section 8.

         8.3 Insurance.  The Company will exert reasonable efforts, if the Board
of Directors deems it practical and advisable,  to obtain and maintain officers'
and directors' liability insurance, in amounts and coverages deemed advisable by
the Board of Directors.  The Company will include  Employee  among those covered
and insured up to the maximum limits provided by any such insurance.

9. Non-Competition.

         9.1  Covenant Not To Compete.  The Company and the  Employee  recognize
that the  services  to be rendered  to the  Company by the  Employee  under this
Agreement  are  special,  unique  and of  extraordinary  character  in that  the
Employee has been involved in creating and developing its business contracts and
customers  and  in  developing  and  marketing  its  patented  and   proprietary
gas-to-liquids process.  Therefore, during the term of this employment hereunder
and for three years following the termination for such employment for any reason
whatsoever  (the  "Non-Competition   Period"),  if  the  Employee  receives  all
compensation  to  which  he is  entitled  under  this  Agreement,  the  Employee
covenants and agrees not to, without the express written consent of the Company,
directly or indirectly own, manage,  operate,  control,  advise,  lend money to,
endorse the  obligations  of, or  participate  in or be connected as an officer,
director,  five percent or more stockholder of a publicly-held  Company, or as a
stockholder, employee, partner, agent, consultant or otherwise of a closely held
company or of any enterprise or  individual,  that is engaged in the business of
developing,  manufacturing  or  marketing  processes,  technology,  products  or
services that are similar to processes,  technology,  products or services which
have been,  or are being  developed or are planned (as  documented by memoranda,
instruments, writings or other compilations of information of the Company) to be
developed  by the  Company,  and will not,  in any  manner,  either  directly or
indirectly,  compete with the Company in its business.  The Company may withhold
its  consent  to  any  such  proposed  competition  in  its  sole  and  absolute
discretion.

<PAGE>

         9.2  Non-Solicitation.  For a period of one year  following  Employee's
termination of employment  under this Agreement,  Employee will not, without the
express prior written  approval of the Board (i) directly or indirectly,  in one
or a series of transactions,  recruit,  solicit or otherwise induce or influence
any proprietor, partner, stockholder, lender, director, officer, employee, sales
agent, joint venturer,  investor, lessor, supplier,  licensee,  customer, agent,
representative  or any other person which has a business  relationship  with the
Company or had a business  relationship  with the Company within the twenty-four
month period preceding the date of the Employee's termination of employment,  to
discontinue,  reduce, or modify such employment, agency or business relationship
with the  Company,  or (ii)  employ  or seek to  employ  or cause  any  business
organization  in direct or  indirect  competition  with the Company to employ or
seek to employ  any  person or agent who is then (or was at any time  within six
months prior to the date the  Employee or the  competitive  business  employs or
seeks  to  employ  such   person)   employed   or   retained  by  the   Company.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  nothing herein shall prevent the Employee from
providing a letter of  recommendation  to an employee  with  respect to a future
employment opportunity.

         9.3 Outside  Business  Activity.  The Employee,  during the term of his
employment by the Company hereunder,  shall not undertake or engage in any other
employment,  occupation  or  business  enterprise  in  which  Employee  actively
participates.  Employee  shall at all times  keep the  Company  informed  of any
outside business  activity by him, and shall not engage in any activity that may
be in  conflict  with  this  Agreement  or the  Company's  business  or its best
interests.

10.  Confidentiality.  The  Employee  acknowledges  that,  as a  result  of  his
employment by the Company, he has learned Confidential  Information,  as defined
in Section  10.1,  that is owned by the  Company,  and which is of a special and
unique value and nature  relating to the business of the Company.  In the course
of his further employment by the Company,  Employee will learn more Confidential
Information  and  may  add  to  the  Confidential  Information.  As  a  material
inducement  to the Company to enter into this  Agreement and to pay the Employee
the compensation  described in this Agreement,  the Employee agrees that he will
not, except in the normal and proper course of his duties hereunder, disclose or
use or enable anyone else to disclose or use, either during the  Non-Competition
Period  (as  defined  in  Section  9.1)  or at any  time  thereafter,  any  such
Confidential  Information without the prior written consent of the Company.  The
Company may withhold its consent in its sole and absolute discretion.

         10.1 Confidential Information. "Confidential Information" is non-public
information  regarding  the  Company  and  its  proprietary  processes  for  the
conversion of  carbon-bearing  solids,  liquids and gases into  valuable  liquid
hydrocarbons;  contractual  licensing  terms  and  arrangements;  customers  and
potential  customers;  costs and  performance  data  relating  to the  Company's
catalysts  and  processes;  patent  applications;  and trade secrets used in the
Company's business that provide an advantage over competitors who do not know or
use them,  including  computer software  programs and source codes,  engineering
designs and specifications for the internal aspects of the synthesis gas reactor
modules;  secret  formulae  and  composition  of the  Company's  catalysts;  and
catalyst injection methods.

         10.2 Exception to Confidentiality. It is agreed, as an exception to the
foregoing  obligations  of  confidentiality,  that  information  received by the
Employee as a result of his employment shall not be considered confidential, and
he shall not be limited in  disclosing  the same,  if and to the extent that the
information, as shown by competent evidence: (i) is or becomes, through no fault
of the party obligated to maintain  confidentiality,  in the public domain; (ii)
is lawfully  obtained by him from a source other than the Company or its agents;
(iii)  was  already  known  to him at the  time  of its  receipt,  as  shown  by
reasonable  proof  filed with the  Company  within a  reasonable  time after its
receipt;  or (iv)  required  to be  disclosed  by law or order  of any  court or

<PAGE>

governmental  authority  having  jurisdiction.  Disclosures  that are  specific,
including   but  not  limited  to  operating   conditions   such  as  pressures,
temperatures,  formulas,  procedures  and other like  standards and  conditions,
shall not be deemed to be within the foregoing  exceptions  merely  because they
are embraced by general  disclosures  available to the general  public or in the
Employee's  possession.  Additionally,  any combination of features shall not be
deemed to be within the  foregoing  exceptions  merely  because  the  individual
features are  available to the general  public or in the  Employee's  possession
unless the  combination  itself and its  principle of operation are available to
the general public.

         10.3 Published Disclosure.  It is agreed that the disclosure of certain
information  by the Company in a  publication,  such as in letters  patent or by
otherwise  placing it in the public domain,  will not free the Employee from his
obligation to maintain in confidence any information not specifically  disclosed
in or fairly  ascertainable  from the publication or other disclosure,  such as,
for example,  the fact that  information in the publication or any portion of it
is or is not used by either party.  The Employee shall have the right to publish
information or articles  pertaining to the Company's  gas-to-liquids  technology
and  its  liquid   hydrocarbon   products  only  if  such   information  is  not
confidential,  and, with respect to  Confidential  Information,  only upon prior
written  approval  by the  Company,  which  it  may  withhold  in  its  absolute
discretion.

         10.4  Non-Use  After  Termination.  The  Employee  shall  not  use  the
Confidential  Information  after  termination  or expiration  of this  Agreement
unless  and  until  such  time  as the  information  ceases  being  Confidential
Information pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.2.

         10.5 Books and Records.  The  Employee  agrees that all  documents  and
other tangible property of any nature pertaining to activities of the Company or
to any Confidential Information, in his possession now or at any time during the
period  of his  employment  with  the  Company,  including  without  limitation,
financial data,  formulae,  processes,  operating  results of processes,  notes,
memoranda,   notebooks,   manuals,   reports,  studies,  data  sheets,  records,
blueprints,  designs, electronic or mechanical data storage devices and records,
and computer  software  programs and their  source  codes,  are and shall be the
property of the Company.  The Employee  will return to the Company all originals
and copies in his possession or control that contain such information,  whenever
requested by the Company from time to time during the Non-Competition Period and
after termination of his employment.

11. Inventions and Discoveries. The Employee and the Company agree that:

         11.1 Disclosure By Employee. The Employee will promptly disclose to the
Company  in  writing,  complete  and  accurate  information  pertaining  to each
invention,   discovery,   improvement,   device,  design,  apparatus,   process,
technological  advance,  innovation,  idea,  concept,  method  or  product  (the
Inventions)  whether  patentable or not, and all writings,  drawings,  software,
semiconductor  mask,  works and other works of  authorship  pertaining  to these
Inventions (Works of Authorship), whether copyrightable or not, made, developed,
perfected,  devised or conceived  during his  employment  with the  Company,  or
during the 12-month  period  following his employment by the Company,  which are
within or in any way related to the  existing or  contemplated  scope (now or at
any later time during such period),  of the business of the Company,  whether or
not developed on the Employee's own time. The determination of whether or not an
Invention or Work of Authorship is within the contemplated scope of the business
of the  Company  will be  based  on the  documentary  evidence  of the  Company,
including  all  documents,   memoranda,   writings  or  other   compilations  of
information of the Company relating to the scope of the business of the Company.
An Invention or Work of Authorship shall be deemed to have been made within such
period of time if it is made or conceived within such period and results from or
was suggested by the Employee's employment by the Company.

<PAGE>

         11.2  Assignment By Employee.  The Employee  will,  upon request of the
Company,  assign to the Company or to any other party designated by the Company,
all of his right,  title and interest in and to any or all of said Inventions or
Works  of  Authorship,   any  copyrights   obtained  thereon,   and  any  patent
applications  filed  thereon,  together  with  all  extensions,  re-issues,  and
renewals thereof in this and all foreign countries and patents granted.  He will
promptly  execute  all  proper  papers for these  purposes  as the  Company  may
request,  and for use in  applying  for,  obtaining,  and  maintaining  all such
patents or copyrights at the expense of the Company. The Employee's  obligations
to execute the papers and  assignments  specified in this Section shall continue
beyond the period of his employment and shall bind his heirs, assigns, executors
and other legal representatives.

12. Right To Injunctive Relief.  The Employee  acknowledges that a breach by the
Employee  of any of the terms of  Sections  9, 10 or 11 of this  Agreement  will
cause  irreparable harm to the Company,  and that the Company shall therefore be
entitled  to any and all  equitable  relief,  including,  but  not  limited  to,
injunctive  relief,  and to any other  remedy  that may be  available  under any
applicable  law or  agreement  between  the  parties,  and to  recover  from the
Employee  all costs of  litigation  including,  but not limited  to,  reasonable
attorneys'  fees and court costs.  The parties  hereto  further  agree that this
Agreement  shall be  enforced  wherever  the  Company is doing  business  at the
termination of the Employee's  employment  hereunder and wherever the Company at
such time  reasonably  foresees,  plans and  expects to do  business  during the
Non-Competition Period.

13.  Entire  Agreement.  The  Company  and the  Employee  acknowledge  that this
Agreement  contains  the full and  complete  agreement  between  and  among  the
parties, that there are no oral or implied agreements or other modifications not
specifically  set  forth  herein,  and  that  this  Agreement  supersedes  prior
agreements or understandings pertaining to this subject, between the Company and
the  Employee,  whether  written  or oral.  The  parties  further  agree that no
modifications  of this  Agreement  may be made  except  by  means  of a  written
agreement or memorandum signed by the parties.

14. Governing Law. The parties acknowledge that the Company's principal place of
business is located in the state of Colorado,  and that this  Agreement has been
entered  into in the state of Colorado  and that they wish legal  certainty  and
predictability as to the terms of their  undertaking.  Accordingly,  the parties
hereby agree that this agreement  shall be  constructed  in accordance  with the
laws of the state of Colorado, without giving consideration to its choice of law
provisions.

15.  Captions.  The captions or section  headings used in this Agreement are for
ease  of  reference  only  and  shall  have  no  bearing   whatsoever  upon  the
construction, interpretation and effect of this Agreement.

16.  Severability.  The Employee  believes and acknowledges  that the provisions
contained in this Agreement, including the covenants contained in Sections 9, 10
and 11 of this  Agreement,  are fair and reasonable.  Nonetheless,  in the event
that any  provision or any part of any  provision of this  Agreement  found by a
court to be void or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, then such provision
shall be  stricken,  severed  from this  Agreement,  and of no force and effect.
Unless  such  stricken  provision  goes  to the  essence  of  the  consideration
bargained for by a party,  the  remaining  provisions  of this  Agreement  shall
continue in full force and effect, and to the extent required, shall be modified
to preserve their validity.

17. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of the Company and its  successors  and assigns.  This  Agreement
shall be binding  upon and shall  inure to the benefit of the  Employee  and his
personal representatives, but shall not be assignable by the Employee.

<PAGE>

18. Notice. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be  delivered  by courier or other  means of personal  service
(including by means of a nationally  recognized  courier service or professional
messenger service); or sent by facsimile (if a facsimile number is provided by a
party to be notified) or mailed first class, postage prepaid, by certified mail,
return receipt requested; in all cases, addressed to each party at the following
address. All notices,  requests,  and other communications shall be deemed given
on the date of actual  receipt or  delivery  as  evidenced  by written  receipt,
acknowledgment  or other  evidence of actual  receipt or delivery to the address
specified  above.  Notice sent by  facsimile  shall be deemed  given on the date
printed by the sender's facsimile machine confirming receipt of the facsimile by
the other party's facsimile machine.  Any party hereto may from time to time, by
notice in writing served as set forth previously,  designate a different address
or a different or additional  person to which all such notices or communications
thereafter are to be given.

If to Company:           Rentech, Inc.
                         1331 17th Street, Suite 720
                         Denver, CO 80202
                         Attention:  Chief Operating Officer
                         Facsimile:  (303) 298-8010

If to Employee:          Charles B. Benham
--------------           1331 17th Street, Suite 720
                         Denver, CO 80202
                         Facsimile:  (   )

19. Continuing  Effect. The covenants and undertakings of the Employee specified
in  this  Agreement  shall  survive  expiration  or  other  termination  of this
Agreement to the extent expressed herein.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Company has hereunder signed its name and the
Employee  hereunder has signed his name,  all as of the day and year first above
written.

RENTECH, INC.                                EMPLOYEE:

By:_______________________                   __________________________
   Dennis L. Yakobson,                       Charles B. Benham
   PresidentEXHIBIT 10.19
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS AGREEMENT (the  Agreement) is entered into effective as of January
1, 2001 between RENTECH, INC., a Colorado corporation (the Company), and MARK S.
BOHN (the Employee) in consideration of the following circumstances.

         A. The Employee is presently  employed by the Company as Vice President
- Engineering.

         B. The Board of Directors of the Company  recognizes  that the Employee
has made a  substantial  contribution  to the growth and success of the Company.
The Board  believes  that it is in the best  interests  of the  Company  and its
shareholders  for the Company to continue its  employment of the  Employee.  The
Board has  determined  that the  Company  should  enter into this  Agreement  to
encourage  and secure the  Employee's  continued  dedication to the Company as a
member of its management and to retain the experience, abilities and services of
the Employee.

         C. The Employee is willing to continue to be employed by the Company on
the terms and conditions of the following Agreement.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the background  circumstances and
the following agreements, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1. Employment. The Company agrees to employ the Employee and the Employee agrees
to perform  services  for and continue in the  employment  of the Company on the
terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

2. Term. The term of employment will begin on the date of this Agreement and end
three years later on December 31, 2003;  provided,  however,  that  beginning on
December 31, 2001 and each December 31 thereafter,  the term of employment shall
automatically be extended each such time, on the same terms and conditions,  for
one additional year beyond the end of the  then-current  term,  unless not later
than January 15 of each year  starting  January 15, 2001 and  continuing on each
succeeding  year,  either party has given written notice to the other party that
it elects not to extend the term. For example,  unless either the Company or the
Employee  elects in writing not to extend the term of  employment by January 15,
2001, the term of employment will be extended to December 31, 2004.  However, if
either the Company or the  Employee  elects in writing not to extend the term of
employment by January 15, 2001, the term of employment  will end on December 31,
2003.

3.  Position  and  Duties.  The  Employee  shall  serve as the Vice  President -
Engineering of the Company with such duties,  powers and responsibilities as the
Board of  Directors  or Chief  Employee  Officer of the Company  may  reasonably
specify from time to time.  The  Employee  shall devote all his working time and
efforts to his  responsibilities  under this  Agreement  and to the business and
affairs of the Company and its  subsidiaries  and affiliates in accordance  with
the standards of the industry,  and shall not be employed by any other person or
entity.

4. Place of Performance.  In connection with the employment,  the Employee shall
be based  either at the  principal  executive  offices  of the  Company,  at the
location of one of its other offices or plant locations in the Denver,  Colorado
metropolitan area, or at the offices of one of the Company's subsidiaries in the
Denver, Colorado metropolitan area.

<PAGE>

5. Compensation and Related Matters.

         5.1 Salary.  During the period of the Employee's  employment hereunder,
the Company shall pay the Employee a salary of not less than $150,948 per annum.
The salary shall be paid in equal monthly installments,  in advance. This salary
shall be increased annually according to an appropriate cost of living index for
the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area, and shall not be reduced during the term
of this Agreement.  Compensation of the Employee by salary payments shall not be
deemed  exclusive and shall not prevent the Employee from  participating  in any
other compensation arrangement, deferred compensation plan, bonus or bonus plan,
stock  options,   stock  appreciation  rights,  similar  executive  compensation
arrangements,  or employee  benefit  plan of the  Company.  The salary  payments
(including any increased  salary  payments) shall not in any way limit or reduce
any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement or under other employee
benefit plans. No other  compensation,  benefit or payment to the Employee shall
in any way limit or reduce the  obligation of the Company to pay the  Employee's
salary under this Agreement.

         5.2  Expenses.  During  the  term  of the  Employee's  employment,  the
Employee shall be promptly  reimbursed for all reasonable  expenses  incurred by
the Employee in performing services for the Company; provided that such expenses
are incurred and accounted for in  accordance  with the policies and  procedures
established  by the Company.  The expenses  reimbursed  shall  include  costs of
travel and living expenses while away from home on business or at the request of
and in the service of the Company.

         5.3 Other  Benefits.  The  Employee  shall  continue  to be entitled to
participate in all of the Company's  employee  benefit plans and arrangements in
effect on the date of this  Agreement,  or in substituted  plans or arrangements
providing the Employee with at least equivalent benefits.  The Company shall not
make any changes in such plans and arrangements  that would adversely affect the
Employee's  rights or benefits,  unless such change occurs pursuant to a program
applicable   to  all   officers  of  the  Company  and  does  not  result  in  a
proportionately greater reduction in the rights or benefits of the Employee than
those of any other executive officers of the Company. The Employee shall also be
entitled to participate in or receive  benefits under any employee  benefit plan
or  arrangement  made  available  by the Company in the future to its  executive
officers,  on  a  basis  consistent  with  the  terms,  conditions  and  overall
administration of such plans and arrangements.  Any payments or benefits payable
to the Employee in respect to any calendar  year or fiscal year during which the
Employee is employed by the Company for less than the entire year shall,  unless
otherwise  provided  in the  applicable  plan or  arrangement,  be  prorated  in
accordance with the number of days in the year during which he is so employed.

6. Termination.

         The Employee's employment hereunder may be terminated with no breach of
this Agreement only under the following circumstances:

         6.1 Death. The Employee's employment hereunder shall terminate upon his
death.

         6.2 Disability.  The Company may terminate the Employee's employment if
Employee  shall sustain a Disability (as  subsequently  defined in this Section)
and be unable to perform his duties and responsibilities during the term of this
Agreement,  as shall  have  been  certified  by at least two duly  licensed  and
qualified physicians,  one approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and
one approved by Employee (the Examining  Physicians),  and the Employee has been
absent from his duties under this Agreement on a full-time basis for a period of
six consecutive months.  "Disability" means the complete and total disability of
Employee  resulting  from injury,  sickness,  disease,  or infirmity due to age,
whereby Employee is unable to perform his usual services for the Company.

<PAGE>

         6.3 Cause.  This Agreement shall  immediately be terminated and neither
party shall have any  obligation  thereafter  if the  Employee's  employment  is
terminated for "Cause." Termination for Cause means termination  resulting from:
(i)  theft  or  dishonesty  in  the  conduct  of  the  Company's  business,   or
intoxication  while on duty resulting from use of alcohol or illegal drugs; (ii)
deliberate  misconduct,  including  violation  of written  Company  policies  or
provisions of federal or state law,  which could be  materially  damaging to the
Company  without  reasonable good faith belief by the Employee that such conduct
is in the best interests of the Company; or (iii) Employee's final conviction of
a felony involving moral turpitude.  If the Employee is advised that he is being
terminated  for Cause and within  fifteen days  thereafter  submits to the Chief
Executive  Officer  or Chief  Operating  Officer a written  objection  to such a
determination,  the  termination  will be  rescinded  and will not be  effective
unless the Board of  Directors  of the  Company at or before its next  regularly
scheduled  meeting  determines by majority vote that the Employee was terminated
for Cause.

         6.4  Termination  by the  Employee.  The  Employee  may  terminate  his
employment  under  this  Agreement  with no  breach:  (i) for  Good  Reason,  as
subsequently defined; (ii) for purposes of retiring at age 65 or more, by giving
written  notice  to that  effect;  or (iii)  if the  Employee's  health  becomes
impaired to an extent that he is unable to diligently and skillfully perform his
employment  duties  or  that  makes  his  continued  performance  of his  duties
hazardous  to his  physical  or mental  health or his  life,  provided  that the
Employee has  furnished  the Company with a written  statement  from a qualified
doctor to such effect and provided,  further that, at the Company's request, the
Employee  submits to an examination by a doctor selected by the Company and such
doctor concurs in the conclusion of the Employee's doctor.

         For  purposes  of this  Agreement,  "Good  Reason"  shall  mean:  (a) a
decrease in the total amount of the Employee's  annual salary below its level in
effect for the previous  twelve  months,  or a decrease,  without the Employee's
written consent, in the bonus share, based on the Company's profit-sharing plan,
to which the Employee may be entitled, for the previous twelve months, provided,
however,  nothing  herein  shall be  construed to guarantee a bonus award to the
Employee;  or (b) a geographical  relocation of the Employee without his written
consent;  (c) a failure by the Company to comply with any material  provision of
this  Agreement  which has not been cured  within ten days after  notice of such
noncompliance  has  been  given  by the  Employee  to the  Company;  or (d)  any
purported termination of the Employee's employment which is not made pursuant to
a Notice of Termination  complying with the requirements of Section 6.5 (and for
purposes of this Agreement no such purported non-complying  termination shall be
effective).

         6.5 Notice of Termination. Any termination of the Employee's employment
by the Company or by the Employee  (other than  termination  pursuant to Section
6.1 shall be  communicated  by written  Notice of Termination to the other party
hereto.  For purposes of this Agreement,  a "Notice of Termination" shall mean a
notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement
relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for  termination of the Employee's  employment  under
the provision so indicated.

         6.6 Date of Termination.  "Date of Termination"  shall mean: (i) if the
Employee's employment is terminated by his death, the date of his death, (ii) if
the Employee's  employment is terminated for Disability pursuant to Section 6.2,
thirty days after Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Employee has
not returned to the  performance of his duties on a full-time  basis during such
thirty-day period),  (iii) if the Employee's  employment is terminated for Cause
pursuant to Section 6.3, the date  specified in the Notice of  Termination,  and
(iv) if the Employee's  employment is terminated for any other reason,  the date
on which a Notice of  Termination is given.  If the party  receiving a Notice of
Termination  notifies  the other  party  that a dispute  exists  concerning  the
termination,  the Date of Termination  shall be the date on which the dispute is
finally determined.  Such a dispute shall be finally determined either by mutual
written agreement of the parties,  by a binding and final arbitration  award, or
by a final judgment,  order or decree of a court of competent  jurisdiction (the
time for appeal therefrom having expired and no appeal having been perfected).

<PAGE>

7. Compensation Upon Termination.

         7.1 Death. If the Employee's employment is terminated by his death, the
Company  shall  continue to pay salary for a period of twelve  months  after the
Date of  Termination,  at the Employee's  last annual salary rate and subject to
applicable tax withholding,  to the Employee's personal representative,  for the
benefit  of his  spouse,  or if none,  his  estate.  This  sum  shall be paid in
semimonthly  installments at the rate of salary in effect immediately before the
death.  The installments  shall start on the Company's  regular payday following
the death and continue on each regular payday thereafter until a total of twelve
bi-monthly installments have been paid.

         7.2  Disability.  During any period that the Employee  fails to perform
his  employment  duties as a result of a  Disability  (Disability  Period),  the
Employee  shall  continue  to receive his full salary at the rate then in effect
until his  employment  is  terminated  pursuant to Section  6.2,  provided  that
payments made to the Employee during the first 180 days of the Disability Period
shall be reduced by the sum of the amounts,  if any,  payable to the Employee at
or  prior to the  time of any  payment  under  disability  benefit  plans of the
Company and which were not  previously  applied to reduce any payment of salary.
If the Employee  terminates his employment for disability  under clause (iii) of
Section 6.4, the Company shall pay the Employee his full salary through the Date
of Termination at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given,
and as severance pay, an amount equal to the Employee's  annual salary in effect
as of the Date of  Termination.  This payment  shall be made in a lump sum on or
before the 30th day following the Date of Termination.

         7.3 Cause.  If the Employee's  employment is terminated for Cause,  the
Company  shall pay the Employee his full salary  through the date of delivery to
him of a Notice of  Termination.  Salary  shall be paid at the rate in effect at
the time Notice of  Termination  is  effective,  and the  Company  shall have no
further obligations to the Employee under this Agreement.

         7.4  Company's  Breach of  Contract;  Termination  by Employee for Good
Reason.  The  Company's  termination  of  employee's  employment  other  than as
provided  in this  Agreement,  including  a  purported  termination  pursuant to
Sections 6.2 or 6.3 that is disputed by the Employee and finally  determined not
to have been in accordance with this Agreement,  shall be a wrongful termination
by the  Company  in breach of this  Agreement.  In the event of such a  wrongful
termination,  or if the Employee shall terminate his employment for Good Reason,
then:

         (a) the Company shall pay the Employee his full salary through the Date
of Termination at the rate in effect at the time Notice of Termination is given;

         (b) the Company  shall pay the  Employee,  as severance  pay in lieu of
further  salary  payments to the Employee for periods  subsequent to the Date of
Termination, an amount equal to three times the Employee's annual salary rate in
effect as of the Date of  Termination,  in a lump sum on or before  the 20th day
following the Date of Termination; and

         (c) the Company  shall pay all other  damages to which the Employee may
be  entitled  as a  result  of the  breach,  including  damages  for all loss of
benefits to the Employee  under the  Company's  profit  sharing  plan,  employee
benefit  plans and any  supplemental  retirement  income plan that the  Employee
would have received if the Company had not breached  this  Agreement and had the
Employee's  employment continued for the full term provided in Section 2 of this
Agreement,  at the rate of  compensation  specified in this  Agreement,  and all
legal fees and expenses incurred by him as a result of the termination.

<PAGE>

8. Counsel Fees and Indemnification.

         8.1  Attorney  Fees and Costs.  The Company  shall pay, or reimburse to
Employee,  all reasonable costs incurred by him,  including  attorneys' fees and
costs, in the following circumstances:  (i) if the Company terminates,  or seeks
to terminate this Agreement,  alleging as  justification  for such termination a
material  breach by  Employee  or for Cause as  described  in Section  6.3,  and
Employee  disputes  such  termination  or  attempted  termination,  and Employee
prevails,  or (ii) if Employee  elects to terminate  his services  hereunder for
Good  Reason as  specified  in Section  6.4 of this  Agreement,  and the Company
disputes its obligation to pay to Employee the sums of money provided in Section
7.4, and Employee prevails.

         8.2  Indemnification.  The Company  shall  indemnify  and hold Employee
harmless as required by the Company's bylaws against judgments,  fines,  amounts
paid in settlement and reasonable  expenses,  including attorneys' fees incurred
by Employee,  in connection with the defense of, or as a result of any action or
proceeding  (or any appeal from any action or  proceeding)  in which Employee is
made or is threatened to be made a party by reason of the fact that he is or was
an officer of the  Company.  Indemnification  shall be  provided  regardless  of
whether  such  action or  proceeding  is one  brought  by or in the right of the
Company, to procure a judgment in its favor (or other than by or in the right of
the Company). These obligations of the Company are independent of, and shall not
be limited or prejudiced by, the Company's other undertakings  specified in this
Section 8.

         8.3 Insurance.  The Company will exert reasonable efforts, if the Board
of Directors deems it practical and advisable,  to obtain and maintain officers'
and directors' liability insurance, in amounts and coverages deemed advisable by
the Board of Directors.  The Company will include  Employee  among those covered
and insured up to the maximum limits provided by any such insurance.

9. Non-Competition.

         9.1  Covenant Not To Compete.  The Company and the  Employee  recognize
that the  services  to be rendered  to the  Company by the  Employee  under this
Agreement  are  special,  unique  and of  extraordinary  character  in that  the
Employee has been involved in creating and developing its business contracts and
customers  and  in  developing  and  marketing  its  patented  and   proprietary
gas-to-liquids process.  Therefore, during the term of this employment hereunder
and for three years following the termination for such employment for any reason
whatsoever  (the  "Non-Competition   Period"),  if  the  Employee  receives  all
compensation  to  which  he is  entitled  under  this  Agreement,  the  Employee
covenants and agrees not to, without the express written consent of the Company,
directly or indirectly own, manage,  operate,  control,  advise,  lend money to,
endorse the  obligations  of, or  participate  in or be connected as an officer,
director,  five percent or more stockholder of a publicly-held  Company, or as a
stockholder, employee, partner, agent, consultant or otherwise of a closely held
company or of any enterprise or  individual,  that is engaged in the business of
developing,  manufacturing  or  marketing  processes,  technology,  products  or
services that are similar to processes,  technology,  products or services which
have been,  or are being  developed or are planned (as  documented by memoranda,
instruments, writings or other compilations of information of the Company) to be
developed  by the  Company,  and will not,  in any  manner,  either  directly or
indirectly,  compete with the Company in its business.  The Company may withhold
its  consent  to  any  such  proposed  competition  in  its  sole  and  absolute
discretion.

<PAGE>

         9.2  Non-Solicitation.  For a period of one year  following  Employee's
termination of employment  under this Agreement,  Employee will not, without the
express prior written  approval of the Board (i) directly or indirectly,  in one
or a series of transactions,  recruit,  solicit or otherwise induce or influence
any proprietor, partner, stockholder, lender, director, officer, employee, sales
agent, joint venturer,  investor, lessor, supplier,  licensee,  customer, agent,
representative  or any other person which has a business  relationship  with the
Company or had a business  relationship  with the Company within the twenty-four
month period preceding the date of the Employee's termination of employment,  to
discontinue,  reduce, or modify such employment, agency or business relationship
with the  Company,  or (ii)  employ  or seek to  employ  or cause  any  business
organization  in direct or  indirect  competition  with the Company to employ or
seek to employ  any  person or agent who is then (or was at any time  within six
months prior to the date the  Employee or the  competitive  business  employs or
seeks  to  employ  such   person)   employed   or   retained  by  the   Company.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  nothing herein shall prevent the Employee from
providing a letter of  recommendation  to an employee  with  respect to a future
employment opportunity.

         9.3 Outside  Business  Activity.  The Employee,  during the term of his
employment by the Company hereunder,  shall not undertake or engage in any other
employment,  occupation  or  business  enterprise  in  which  Employee  actively
participates.  Employee  shall at all times  keep the  Company  informed  of any
outside business  activity by him, and shall not engage in any activity that may
be in  conflict  with  this  Agreement  or the  Company's  business  or its best
interests.

10.  Confidentiality.  The  Employee  acknowledges  that,  as a  result  of  his
employment by the Company, he has learned Confidential  Information,  as defined
in Section  10.1,  that is owned by the  Company,  and which is of a special and
unique value and nature  relating to the business of the Company.  In the course
of his further employment by the Company,  Employee will learn more Confidential
Information  and  may  add  to  the  Confidential  Information.  As  a  material
inducement  to the Company to enter into this  Agreement and to pay the Employee
the compensation  described in this Agreement,  the Employee agrees that he will
not, except in the normal and proper course of his duties hereunder, disclose or
use or enable anyone else to disclose or use, either during the  Non-Competition
Period  (as  defined  in  Section  9.1)  or at any  time  thereafter,  any  such
Confidential  Information without the prior written consent of the Company.  The
Company may withhold its consent in its sole and absolute discretion.

         10.1 Confidential Information. "Confidential Information" is non-public
information  regarding  the  Company  and  its  proprietary  processes  for  the
conversion of  carbon-bearing  solids,  liquids and gases into  valuable  liquid
hydrocarbons;  contractual  licensing  terms  and  arrangements;  customers  and
potential  customers;  costs and  performance  data  relating  to the  Company's
catalysts  and  processes;  patent  applications;  and trade secrets used in the
Company's business that provide an advantage over competitors who do not know or
use them,  including  computer software  programs and source codes,  engineering
designs and specifications for the internal aspects of the synthesis gas reactor
modules;  secret  formulae  and  composition  of the  Company's  catalysts;  and
catalyst injection methods.

         10.2 Exception to Confidentiality. It is agreed, as an exception to the
foregoing  obligations  of  confidentiality,  that  information  received by the
Employee as a result of his employment shall not be considered confidential, and
he shall not be limited in  disclosing  the same,  if and to the extent that the
information, as shown by competent evidence: (i) is or becomes, through no fault
of the party obligated to maintain  confidentiality,  in the public domain; (ii)
is lawfully  obtained by him from a source other than the Company or its agents;
(iii)  was  already  known  to him at the  time  of its  receipt,  as  shown  by
reasonable  proof  filed with the  Company  within a  reasonable  time after its
receipt;  or (iv)  required  to be  disclosed  by law or order  of any  court or
governmental  authority  having  jurisdiction.  Disclosures  that are  specific,
including   but  not  limited  to  operating   conditions   such  as  pressures,
temperatures,  formulas,  procedures  and other like  standards and  conditions,
shall not be deemed to be within the foregoing  exceptions  merely  because they
are embraced by general  disclosures  available to the general  public or in the
Employee's  possession.  Additionally,  any combination of features shall not be
deemed to be within the  foregoing  exceptions  merely  because  the  individual
features are  available to the general  public or in the  Employee's  possession
unless the  combination  itself and its  principle of operation are available to
the general public.

<PAGE>

         10.3 Published Disclosure.  It is agreed that the disclosure of certain
information  by the Company in a  publication,  such as in letters  patent or by
otherwise  placing it in the public domain,  will not free the Employee from his
obligation to maintain in confidence any information not specifically  disclosed
in or fairly  ascertainable  from the publication or other disclosure,  such as,
for example,  the fact that  information in the publication or any portion of it
is or is not used by either party.  The Employee shall have the right to publish
information or articles  pertaining to the Company's  gas-to-liquids  technology
and  its  liquid   hydrocarbon   products  only  if  such   information  is  not
confidential,  and, with respect to  Confidential  Information,  only upon prior
written  approval  by the  Company,  which  it  may  withhold  in  its  absolute
discretion.

         10.4  Non-Use  After  Termination.  The  Employee  shall  not  use  the
Confidential  Information  after  termination  or expiration  of this  Agreement
unless  and  until  such  time  as the  information  ceases  being  Confidential
Information pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.2.

         10.5 Books and Records.  The  Employee  agrees that all  documents  and
other tangible property of any nature pertaining to activities of the Company or
to any Confidential Information, in his possession now or at any time during the
period  of his  employment  with  the  Company,  including  without  limitation,
financial data,  formulae,  processes,  operating  results of processes,  notes,
memoranda,   notebooks,   manuals,   reports,  studies,  data  sheets,  records,
blueprints,  designs, electronic or mechanical data storage devices and records,
and computer  software  programs and their  source  codes,  are and shall be the
property of the Company.  The Employee  will return to the Company all originals
and copies in his possession or control that contain such information,  whenever
requested by the Company from time to time during the Non-Competition Period and
after termination of his employment.

11. Inventions and Discoveries. The Employee and the Company agree that:

         11.1 Disclosure By Employee. The Employee will promptly disclose to the
Company  in  writing,  complete  and  accurate  information  pertaining  to each
invention,   discovery,   improvement,   device,  design,  apparatus,   process,
technological  advance,  innovation,  idea,  concept,  method  or  product  (the
Inventions)  whether  patentable or not, and all writings,  drawings,  software,
semiconductor  mask,  works and other works of  authorship  pertaining  to these
Inventions (Works of Authorship), whether copyrightable or not, made, developed,
perfected,  devised or conceived  during his  employment  with the  Company,  or
during the 12-month  period  following his employment by the Company,  which are
within or in any way related to the  existing or  contemplated  scope (now or at
any later time during such period),  of the business of the Company,  whether or
not developed on the Employee's own time. The determination of whether or not an
Invention or Work of Authorship is within the contemplated scope of the business
of the  Company  will be  based  on the  documentary  evidence  of the  Company,
including  all  documents,   memoranda,   writings  or  other   compilations  of
information of the Company relating to the scope of the business of the Company.
An Invention or Work of Authorship shall be deemed to have been made within such
period of time if it is made or conceived within such period and results from or
was suggested by the Employee's employment by the Company.

         11.2  Assignment By Employee.  The Employee  will,  upon request of the
Company,  assign to the Company or to any other party designated by the Company,
all of his right,  title and interest in and to any or all of said Inventions or
Works  of  Authorship,   any  copyrights   obtained  thereon,   and  any  patent
applications  filed  thereon,  together  with  all  extensions,  re-issues,  and
renewals thereof in this and all foreign countries and patents granted.  He will
promptly  execute  all  proper  papers for these  purposes  as the  Company  may

<PAGE>

request,  and for use in  applying  for,  obtaining,  and  maintaining  all such
patents or copyrights at the expense of the Company. The Employee's  obligations
to execute the papers and  assignments  specified in this Section shall continue
beyond the period of his employment and shall bind his heirs, assigns, executors
and other legal representatives.

12. Right To Injunctive Relief.  The Employee  acknowledges that a breach by the
Employee  of any of the terms of  Sections  9, 10 or 11 of this  Agreement  will
cause  irreparable harm to the Company,  and that the Company shall therefore be
entitled  to any and all  equitable  relief,  including,  but  not  limited  to,
injunctive  relief,  and to any other  remedy  that may be  available  under any
applicable  law or  agreement  between  the  parties,  and to  recover  from the
Employee  all costs of  litigation  including,  but not limited  to,  reasonable
attorneys'  fees and court costs.  The parties  hereto  further  agree that this
Agreement  shall be  enforced  wherever  the  Company is doing  business  at the
termination of the Employee's  employment  hereunder and wherever the Company at
such time  reasonably  foresees,  plans and  expects to do  business  during the
Non-Competition Period.

13.  Entire  Agreement.  The  Company  and the  Employee  acknowledge  that this
Agreement  contains  the full and  complete  agreement  between  and  among  the
parties, that there are no oral or implied agreements or other modifications not
specifically  set  forth  herein,  and  that  this  Agreement  supersedes  prior
agreements or understandings pertaining to this subject, between the Company and
the  Employee,  whether  written  or oral.  The  parties  further  agree that no
modifications  of this  Agreement  may be made  except  by  means  of a  written
agreement or memorandum signed by the parties.

14. Governing Law. The parties acknowledge that the Company's principal place of
business is located in the state of Colorado,  and that this  Agreement has been
entered  into in the state of Colorado  and that they wish legal  certainty  and
predictability as to the terms of their  undertaking.  Accordingly,  the parties
hereby agree that this agreement  shall be  constructed  in accordance  with the
laws of the state of Colorado, without giving consideration to its choice of law
provisions.

15.  Captions.  The captions or section  headings used in this Agreement are for
ease  of  reference  only  and  shall  have  no  bearing   whatsoever  upon  the
construction, interpretation and effect of this Agreement.

16.  Severability.  The Employee  believes and acknowledges  that the provisions
contained in this Agreement, including the covenants contained in Sections 9, 10
and 11 of this  Agreement,  are fair and reasonable.  Nonetheless,  in the event
that any  provision or any part of any  provision of this  Agreement  found by a
court to be void or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever, then such provision
shall be  stricken,  severed  from this  Agreement,  and of no force and effect.
Unless  such  stricken  provision  goes  to the  essence  of  the  consideration
bargained for by a party,  the  remaining  provisions  of this  Agreement  shall
continue in full force and effect, and to the extent required, shall be modified
to preserve their validity.

17. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure
to the benefit of the Company and its  successors  and assigns.  This  Agreement
shall be binding  upon and shall  inure to the benefit of the  Employee  and his
personal representatives, but shall not be assignable by the Employee.

<PAGE>

18. Notice. All notices, requests and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be  delivered  by courier or other  means of personal  service
(including by means of a nationally  recognized  courier service or professional
messenger service); or sent by facsimile (if a facsimile number is provided by a
party to be notified) or mailed first class, postage prepaid, by certified mail,
return receipt requested; in all cases, addressed to each party at the following
address. All notices,  requests,  and other communications shall be deemed given
on the date of actual  receipt or  delivery  as  evidenced  by written  receipt,
acknowledgment  or other  evidence of actual  receipt or delivery to the address
specified  above.  Notice sent by  facsimile  shall be deemed  given on the date
printed by the sender's facsimile machine confirming receipt of the facsimile by
the other party's facsimile machine.  Any party hereto may from time to time, by
notice in writing served as set forth previously,  designate a different address
or a different or additional  person to which all such notices or communications
thereafter are to be given.

If to Company:           Rentech, Inc.
                         1331 17th Street, Suite 720
                         Denver, CO 80202
                         Attention:  Chief Operating Officer
                         Facsimile:  (303) 298-8010

If to Employee:          Mark S. Bohn
--------------           1331 17th Street, Suite 720
                         Denver, CO 80202
                         Facsimile:  (   )

19. Continuing  Effect. The covenants and undertakings of the Employee specified
in  this  Agreement  shall  survive  expiration  or  other  termination  of this
Agreement to the extent expressed herein.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Company has hereunder signed its name and the
Employee  hereunder has signed his name,  all as of the day and year first above
written.

RENTECH, INC.                      EMPLOYEE:

By:_______________________         __________________________
   Dennis L. Yakobson,             Mark S. Bohn
   President

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00044-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00044-of-00352.parquet"}]]