Use these links to rapidly review the document
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-142207

        PROSPECTUS

Huntsman International LLC

Exchange Offer for
$347,000,000 7.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014,
$175,000,000 7.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 and
€135,000,000 7.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015

This exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City Time,
on June 5, 2007, unless extended.

Terms of the exchange offer:

•

We will exchange all outstanding 7.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 ("old 2014 notes"), all outstanding 7.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 ("old 2015 dollar notes" and, together with the old 2014 notes, the "old dollar notes") and all outstanding 7.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 ("old euro notes" and, together with the old dollar notes, the "old notes") that are validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

•

The terms of the new 7.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 ("new 2014 notes"), the new 7.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 ("new 2015 dollar notes" and, together with the new 2014 notes, the "new dollar notes") and the new 7.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 ("new euro notes" and, together with the new dollar notes, the "new notes") to be issued in this exchange offer are substantially identical to the terms of the old notes, except for transfer restrictions and registration rights relating to the old notes. The old notes and the new notes are collectively referred to herein as the "notes." The old euro notes and the new euro notes are collectively referred to herein as the "euro notes." The old dollar notes and the new dollar notes are collectively referred to herein as the "dollar notes."

•

You may withdraw tendered old notes at any time prior to the expiration of the exchange offer.

•

The exchange of old notes will not be a taxable event for United States federal income tax purposes.

•

We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer.

•

There is no existing market for the new notes, and we have not and will not apply to list the new dollar notes on any securities exchange. We intend to apply to list the new euro notes on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.

        See the "Description of New Notes" section on page 157 for more information about the new notes to be issued in this exchange offer.

        This investment involves risks. See the section entitled "Risk Factors" that begins on page 15 for a discussion of the risks that you should consider prior to tendering your old notes for exchange.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or the accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is May 3, 2007

        Each broker-dealer that receives new notes for its own account pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the new notes it receives. The letter of transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. This prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of new notes received in exchange for old notes where such old notes were acquired by the broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that, for a period of 120 days after the consummation of the exchange offer, we will make this prospectus, as amended and supplemented, available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of Distribution."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

i

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

        The following summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and may not contain all the information that is important to you. This prospectus contains information regarding our business and detailed financial information. You should carefully read this entire document.

        Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this prospectus to "we," "us," "our" or our "Company" refer to Huntsman International LLC, together with its subsidiaries. Any references to our "Company," "we," "us" or "our" as of a date prior to March 23, 1999 (the date of our formation) are to our predecessor entities. In this prospectus, "Huntsman International Holdings" refers to Huntsman International Holdings LLC (our former parent that merged into our Company on August 16, 2005) and, unless the context otherwise requires, its subsidiaries; "Huntsman Advanced Materials" refers to Huntsman Advanced Materials Holdings LLC (our 100% owned subsidiary, the membership interests of which Huntsman Corporation contributed to us on December 20, 2005) and, unless the context otherwise requires, its subsidiaries; "Huntsman LLC" refers to Huntsman LLC (our affiliate that merged into our Company on August 16, 2005); "HPS" refers to Huntsman Polyurethanes Shanghai Ltd. (our consolidated splitting joint venture with Shanghai Chlor-Alkali Chemical Company, Ltd); "SLIC" refers to Shanghai Liengheng Isocyanate Investment BV (our unconsolidated manufacturing joint venture with BASF AG and three Chinese chemical companies); and "guarantors" or "guarantor subsidiaries" refer to our subsidiaries that have guaranteed our debt obligations, including the notes, consisting of substantially all of our domestic subsidiaries and certain of our foreign subsidiaries.

        In this prospectus, we may refer to "notes," "old notes," "new notes," "dollar notes," "old dollar notes" or "new dollar notes" without distinguishing among the particular issues of notes. In such instances, the term shall refer to each applicable issue of notes separately. In addition, we may refer to "indenture," "exchange and registration rights agreement" or "guarantee" without distinguishing between the particular instrument applicable to an issue of notes. In such instances, the term shall refer to the particular instrument applicable to each issue of notes.

        In this prospectus, we may use, without definition, the common names of competitors or other industry participants. We may also use the common names or abbreviations for certain chemicals or products. Many of these terms are defined in the Glossary of Chemical Terms that begins on page 121 below.

OUR COMPANY

History

        We are a Delaware limited liability company and all of our membership interests are owned by Huntsman Corporation. We were formed in 1999 in connection with a transaction between Huntsman International Holdings, Huntsman Specialty Chemicals Corporation ("Huntsman Specialty") and ICI. In that transaction, Huntsman International Holdings acquired ICI's polyurethane chemicals, selected petrochemicals and titanium dioxide businesses and Huntsman Specialty's PO business. Huntsman International Holdings also acquired BP's 20% ownership interest in an olefins facility located at Wilton, U.K. and certain related assets. Huntsman International Holdings then transferred the acquired businesses to us and to our subsidiaries.

        A summary of our other key acquisitions follows:

•

In 1993, we purchased Monsanto's LAB and maleic anhydride businesses.



•

In 1994, we purchased Texaco's global chemical business.



•

In 1997, we purchased Texaco's PO business. Also in 1997, we acquired Rexene Corporation, significantly increasing the size of our Polymers business.

1

•

In 2000, we completed the acquisition of the Morton global TPU business from Rohm and Haas.



•

In 2001, we completed our acquisition of Dow's global ethyleneamines business, and we completed our acquisition of the Albright & Wilson European surfactants business from Rhodia.



•

In 2003, Huntsman Corporation completed its acquisition of 88% of our advanced materials business (the "Huntsman Advanced Materials Transaction") through the purchase of Vantico.



•

On June 30, 2006, we acquired Ciba's global textile effects business (the "Textile Effects Acquisition").

        Our consolidated group has also divested certain businesses, including our packaging subsidiary in 1997, our global styrenics business in 1998, our U.S. butadiene and MTBE business operated by our Base Chemicals segment on June 27, 2006, and our European base chemicals and polymers business on December 29, 2006, which we sold to SABIC.

        In February 2005, our parent, Huntsman Corporation, completed an initial public offering of common stock and mandatory convertible preferred stock. Also during 2005, we completed a series of transactions designed to simplify our consolidated group's financing and public reporting structure, to reduce our cost of financing and to facilitate other organizational efficiencies, including the following:

•

On August 16, 2005, Huntsman LLC merged into our Company (the "Huntsman LLC Merger"). At that time, Huntsman International Holdings also merged into our Company (collectively with the Huntsman LLC Merger, the "Affiliate Mergers"). As a result of the Huntsman LLC Merger, we succeeded to the assets, rights and obligations of Huntsman LLC. We entered into supplemental indentures under which we assumed the obligations of Huntsman LLC under its outstanding debt securities. Our subsidiaries that guaranteed our outstanding debt securities now provide guarantees with respect to these securities, and all of Huntsman LLC's subsidiaries that guaranteed its debt securities continue to provide guarantees with respect to these debt securities. In addition, Huntsman LLC's guarantor subsidiaries executed supplemental indentures to guarantee all of our outstanding debt securities.



•

On December 20, 2005, Huntsman Corporation agreed that its subsidiary, Huntsman Advanced Materials, would pay $125 million to affiliates of SISU Capital Limited and other third parties to retire the 9.7% of the equity of Huntsman Advanced Materials held by such persons in connection with the parent-subsidiary merger of Huntsman Advanced Materials. Huntsman Corporation then contributed its 100% ownership interest in Huntsman Advanced Materials to us (the "Huntsman Advanced Materials Minority Interest Transaction"). In conjunction with this transaction, we amended our senior secured credit facilities (the "Senior Credit Facilities") and increased our existing term loan B by $350 million. We used proceeds from the increased term loan, together with approximately $74 million of cash on hand, to pay the merger consideration associated with retiring the minority equity interests in Huntsman Advanced Materials, to redeem Huntsman Advanced Materials' $250 million of outstanding 11% senior secured notes due 2010, to pay $35.6 million in call premiums plus accrued interest, and to pay other related costs.

Recent Developments

Amendment of Senior Credit Facilities

        On April 19, 2007, we entered into an amendment to our Senior Credit Facilities. Subject in some cases to certain conditions, the amendment provides for improved applicable interest rates, extends the maturity of our dollar denominated term loan to April 2014, increases the restricted payments basket for certain types of payments, eliminates certain financial covenants and increases our capacity for

2

additional term loan borrowings. In addition, pursuant to the amendment, we repaid our euro denominated term loan in full.

Agreement to Sell U.S. Base Chemicals and Polymers Business

        On February 15, 2007, we entered into an agreement with Flint Hills Resources, a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch, which provides that Flint Hills Resources will acquire our U.S. base chemicals and polymers business (the "Pending U.S. Petrochemicals Disposition"). We expect to realize a total value from the sale of approximately $761 million. Under the agreement, Flint Hills Resources will acquire our U.S. base chemicals and polymers manufacturing assets for approximately $456 million in cash, plus the value of inventory on the date of closing (approximately $286 million at December 31, 2006). We will retain other elements of working capital, including accounts receivables, accounts payable and certain accrued liabilities (net, approximately $19 million at December 31, 2006), which will be liquidated for cash in the ordinary course of business following the closing. Subject to customary regulatory approvals and other closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2007, following the re-start of our Port Arthur, Texas, olefins manufacturing facility. For more information, see "Note 22. Casualty Losses and Insurance Recoveries—Port Arthur, Texas Plant Fire" to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. In the event that the Port Arthur, Texas olefins manufacturing facility is not operating at a specified performance level by August 15, 2007, Flint Hills Resources has the option to close on its purchase of the U.S. polymers business separate from the purchase of the U.S. base chemicals business (the "Polymers Purchase Option"). If Flint Hills Resources exercises the Polymers Purchase Option, the U.S. polymers business purchase price will be $150 million, plus the value of associated inventory, and we will amend the asset purchase agreement to facilitate the separate closing of the U.S. base chemicals business for the remaining $306 million of sales price, plus the value of associated inventory. We currently expect that the Port Arthur, Texas olefins manufacturing facility may not achieve the specified performance level by August 15, 2007. We expect to use the net proceeds from this transaction to repay debt.

        The transaction includes our olefins and polymers manufacturing assets located at five U.S. sites: Port Arthur, Odessa and Longview, Texas; Peru, Illinois; and Marysville, Michigan. The business employs about 900 associates. The captive ethylene unit at our retained Port Neches, Texas, site of our Performance Products segment operations is not included in the sale. This asset, along with a long-term post-closing arrangement for the supply of ethylene and propylene from Flint Hills to us, will continue to provide feedstock for our downstream derivative units.

Formation of Polyurethanes Joint Venture in Russia and Former Soviet States

        On February 1, 2007, we announced the creation of a new Russian-based joint venture to manufacture and sell polyurethane systems to adhesives, coatings, elastomers and insulation markets in Russia and other areas of the former Soviet Union.

Sale of Australian Polyester Resins Assets

        On January 4, 2007, we completed the sale of our Australian polyester resins assets to Nuplex for A$9.6 million (approximately $7.5 million) in cash, plus the value of inventory at the sale date, for a total transaction value of A$20.3 million (approximately $15.8 million), subject to post closing adjustments. The transaction further includes additional consideration to be received over a three year period upon achieving certain associated earnings targets. The sale includes our Australian polyesters, vinylesters and gelcoats manufacturing assets. In connection with the sale agreement, we also entered into a tolling agreement with Nuplex whereby we will continue to manufacture product using the Australian polyester resins assets. Nuplex will own the assets located on our site. The tolling agreement expires January 2009.

3

Sale of European Base Chemicals and Polymers Business

        On December 29, 2006, we sold all of the outstanding equity interests of Huntsman Petrochemicals (UK) Limited to SABIC for an aggregate purchase price of $685 million in cash, plus the assumption by SABIC of approximately $126 million in unfunded pension liabilities (the "U.K. Petrochemicals Disposition"). The final sales price is subject to agreement by SABIC on adjustments relating to working capital, investment in the LDPE plant currently under construction at Wilton, U.K. and unfunded pension liabilities. We used the net proceeds from the transaction to legally defease the remaining $250 million outstanding principal amount of our 9.875% senior notes due 2009 and to repay $400 million of debt under our Senior Credit Facilities.

        As a result of the U.K. Petrochemicals Disposition, SABIC acquired our European base chemicals and polymers business. The results of operations of our European base chemicals and polymers business for current and prior periods have been classified as discontinued operations in our financial statements. The transaction did not include our Teesside, U.K.-based Pigments operations or the Wilton, U.K.-based aniline and nitrobenzene operations of our Polyurethanes segment. For more information, see "Note 3. Discontinued Operations" and "Note 4. Business Dispositions and Combinations" to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

OUR BUSINESS

        We are among the world's largest global manufacturers of differentiated chemical products; we also manufacture inorganic and commodity chemical products. Our products comprise a broad range of chemicals and formulations, which we market in more than 100 countries to a diversified group of consumer and industrial customers. Our products are used in a wide range of applications, including those in the adhesives, aerospace, automotive, construction products, durable and non-durable consumer products, electronics, medical, packaging, paints and coatings, power generation, refining, synthetic fiber, textile chemicals and dye industries. We are a leading global producer in many of our key product lines, including MDI, amines, surfactants, epoxy-based polymer formulations, textile chemicals, dyes, maleic anhydride and titanium dioxide. Our administrative, research and development and manufacturing operations are primarily conducted at the 75 facilities that we own or lease. Our facilities are located in 24 countries and we employ approximately 15,000 associates worldwide. Our businesses benefit from large production scale in certain products and proprietary manufacturing technologies, which allow us to maintain a low-cost position. We had revenues for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005 of $10,623.6 million and $10,676.9 million, respectively.

        Our business is organized around our six segments: Polyurethanes, Advanced Materials, Performance Products, Pigments, Polymers and Base Chemicals. Upon the anticipated closing in the third quarter 2007 of the Pending U.S. Petrochemicals Disposition, we expect to operate our business in four segments: Polyurethanes, Materials and Effects, Performance Products and Pigments.

        Our current segments can be divided into three broad categories: differentiated, inorganic and commodity. Our Polyurethanes, Materials and Effects and Performance Products segments produce differentiated products, our Pigments segment produces inorganic products and our Polymers and Base Chemicals segments produce commodity chemicals. Growth in our differentiated products has been driven by the substitution of our products for other materials and by the level of global economic activity. Accordingly, the profitability of our differentiated products has been somewhat less influenced by the cyclicality that typically impacts the petrochemical industry. Our Pigments business, while cyclical, is influenced largely by seasonal demand patterns in the coatings industry. Certain products in our Polymers segment also follow different trends than petrochemical commodities as a result of our niche marketing strategy for such products that focuses on supplying customized formulations. The profitability of our commodity products has historically been cyclical in nature. Our six operating

4

segments are all impacted, to a greater or lesser degree, by economic conditions, prices of raw materials and global supply and demand pressures.

2006 Segment Revenues*		2006 Segment EBITDA*

*

Percentage allocations in the segment revenues chart above reflect the allocation of all inter-segment revenue eliminations to our Base Chemicals segment. Percentage allocations in the segment EBITDA chart above do not give effect to $149.1 million of corporate and other unallocated items and exclude $19.8 million of restructuring, impairment and plant closing costs and $24.7 million of EBITDA from discontinued operations and gains/losses from disposition of assets. For a detailed discussion of our revenues, total assets and EBITDA by segment, see "Note 26. Operating Segment Information" to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. For a discussion of EBITDA and a reconciliation of EBITDA to net income and cash provided by operating activities, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations."

        The following table identifies the key products, their principal end markets and applications and representative customers of each of our segments:

5

(1)

The PO/MTBE operations in our Polyurethanes segment were not included in the sale of our U.S. butadiene and MTBE business (operated in our Base Chemicals segment).

(2)

On February 15, 2007, we entered into an agreement to sell our U.S. base chemicals and polymers assets. See "—Recent Developments—Agreement to Sell U.S. Base Chemicals and Polymers Business" above. On December 29, 2006, we sold our European base chemicals and polymers business. See "—Recent Developments—Sale of European Base Chemicals and Polymers Business" above. On June 27, 2006, we sold our U.S. butadiene and MTBE business operated in our Base Chemicals segment.

6

THE EXCHANGE OFFER

7

8

9

THE NEW NOTES

        The terms of the new notes and those of the same respective issue of outstanding old notes are identical in all material respects, except:

(1)

the new notes will have been registered under the Securities Act;



(2)

the new notes will not contain transfer restrictions and registration rights that relate to the old notes; and



(3)

the new notes will not contain provisions relating to the payment of liquidated damages to be made to the holders of the old notes under circumstances related to the timing of the exchange offer.

        A brief description of the material terms of the new notes follows:

10

11

12

For additional information regarding the notes, see "Description of New Notes."

FAILURE TO EXCHANGE YOUR OLD NOTES

        The old notes which you do not tender or we do not accept will, following the exchange offer, continue to be restricted securities. Therefore, you may only transfer or resell them in a transaction registered under or exempt from the Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws. We will issue the new notes in exchange for the old notes under the exchange offer only following the satisfaction of the procedures and conditions described under the caption "The Exchange Offer."

        Because we anticipate that most holders of the old notes will elect to exchange their old notes, we expect that the liquidity of the markets, if any, for any old notes remaining after the completion of the exchange offer will be substantially limited. Any old notes tendered and exchanged in the exchange offer will reduce the aggregate principal amount outstanding of the old notes.

OTHER DEBT

        As of December 31, 2006, we had $3,093.1 million in debt outstanding other than the old notes.

        The indentures governing the notes limits our ability to incur additional debt. Consequently, we would be required to obtain an amendment of the indenture before we incurred any additional debt, other than the types of debt specifically identified in the indentures as permitted. For more information, see "Other Indebtedness and Certain Financing Arrangements" below.

SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA

        The summary historical financial data set forth below presents the historical financial data of our Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated. In 2005, we completed the Affiliate Mergers and the Huntsman Advanced Materials Minority Interest Transaction to simplify our consolidated group's financing and public reporting structure, to reduce our cost of financing and to facilitate other organizational efficiencies. Each of these transactions was accounted for as an exchange of shares between entities under common control similar to the pooling method. Huntsman LLC and Huntsman Advanced Materials came under common control with us effective May 1, 2003 and June 30, 2003, respectively. Huntsman International Holdings and our Company have been under common control since our inception. The summary historical financial data presented herein reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows as if Huntsman International Holdings, Huntsman LLC, Huntsman Advanced Materials and our Company were combined for all periods for which they were under common control. As a result, the financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 is not comparable to the financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.

13

        The summary financial and other data as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 has been derived from the audited financial statements of our Company. The summary financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data," and "Selected Historical Financial Data" included elsewhere in this prospectus and, in each case, any related notes thereto.

(1)

Includes the current portion of long-term debt.

14

RISK FACTORS

        You should carefully consider the risks described below in addition to all other information provided to you in this prospectus before participating in this exchange offer. Any of the following risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Future acquisitions, partnerships and joint ventures, as well as our recent Textile Effects Acquisition, may require significant resources and/or result in unanticipated adverse consequences that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and on our ability to make payments on the notes.

        In the future we may seek to grow our Company and businesses by making acquisitions or entering into partnerships and joint ventures. Any future acquisition, partnership or joint venture, such as our recent Textile Effects Acquisition, may require that we make a significant cash investment, issue stock or incur substantial debt. In addition, acquisitions, partnerships or investments, such as our recent Textile Effects Acquisition, may require significant managerial attention, which may be diverted from our other operations. These capital, equity and managerial commitments may impair the operation of our businesses. Furthermore, our recent Textile Effects Acquisition and any future acquisitions of businesses or facilities, could entail a number of additional risks, including:

•

problems with effective integration of operations;



•

the inability to maintain key pre-acquisition business relationships;



•

increased operating costs;



•

exposure to unanticipated liabilities; and



•

difficulties in realizing projected efficiencies, synergies and cost savings.

        We have incurred indebtedness to finance past acquisitions. We may finance future acquisitions with additional indebtedness. We could face the financial risks associated with incurring additional indebtedness such as reducing our liquidity and access to financing markets and increasing the amount of cash flow required to service such indebtedness, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make payments on the notes.

Significant price volatility or interruptions in supply of our raw materials may result in increased costs that we may be unable to pass on to our customers, which could negatively affect our ability to make payments on the notes.

        The prices of the raw materials that we purchase from third parties are cyclical and volatile. We purchase a substantial portion of these raw materials from third party suppliers, and the cost of these raw materials represents a substantial portion of our operating expenses. The prices for a number of these raw materials generally follow price trends of, and vary with market conditions for, crude oil and natural gas feedstocks, which are highly volatile and cyclical.

        The feedstocks and other raw materials we consume generally are commodity products that are readily available at market prices. Nevertheless, we frequently enter into supply agreements with particular suppliers where we believe such agreements will reduce our costs. In some cases, the existence of pipelines or the proximity of suppliers may provide significant cost benefits to us. Disruptions of existing supply arrangements could substantially impact our profitability. If certain of our suppliers are unable to meet their obligations under present supply agreements, we may be forced to pay higher prices to obtain the necessary raw materials from other sources and we may not be able to increase prices for our finished products to recoup the higher raw materials costs. In addition, if any of the raw materials that we use become unavailable within the geographic area from which they are now sourced, then we may not be able to obtain suitable or cost effective substitutes. Any interruption in

15

the supply of raw materials could increase our costs or decrease our revenues, which could reduce our cash flow.

        Our supply agreements typically provide for market-based pricing and provide us only limited protection against price volatility. While we attempt to match cost increases with corresponding product price increases, we are not always able to raise product prices immediately or at all. Timing differences between raw material prices, which may change daily, and contract product prices, which in many cases are negotiated only monthly or less often, have had and may continue to have a negative effect on our cash flow. Any cost increase that we are not able to pass on to our customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and our ability to make payments on the notes.

Demand for many of our products is cyclical, and we may experience prolonged depressed market conditions for such products, which may adversely affect our ability to make payments on the notes.

        Historically, the markets for many of our products, particularly our commodity products, have experienced alternating periods of tight supply, causing prices and profit margins to increase, followed by periods of capacity additions, resulting in oversupply and declining prices and profit margins.

        During 2006, we derived approximately 25% of our revenue from sales of commodity products. In December 2006, we completed the U.K. Petrochemical Disposition and in February 2007, we entered into an agreement to sell our U.S. base chemicals and polymers assets; however, we currently retain significant commodity assets. Due to the commodity nature of these products, competition in these markets is based primarily on price and to a lesser extent on performance, product quality, product deliverability and customer service. As a result, we may not be able to protect our market position for these products by product differentiation and may not be able to pass on cost increases to our customers. Historically, the prices for our commodity products have been cyclical and sensitive to relative changes in supply and demand, the availability and price of feedstocks and general economic conditions. Our other products may be subject to these same factors, but, typically, the impact of these factors is greatest on our commodity products.

We are subject to the risk of loss resulting from nonpayment and/or nonperformance by our customers.

        Our credit procedures and policies may not be adequate to eliminate customer credit risk. Our customers may experience financial difficulties, including bankruptcies, restructurings and liquidations. These and other financial problems that may be experienced by our customers, as well as potential financial weakness in our industry, may increase our risk in extending trade credit to customers. A significant adverse change in a customer relationship or in a customer's financial position could cause us to limit or discontinue business with that customer, require us to assume more credit risk relating to that customer's receivables or limit our ability to collect accounts receivable from that customer, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

Natural or other disasters could disrupt our business and result in loss of revenue or in higher expenses.

        Any serious disruption at any of our facilities due to hurricane, fire, earthquake, flood, terrorist attack or any other natural or man-made disaster could impair our ability to use our facilities and have a material adverse impact on our revenues and increase our costs and expenses. Substantially all of our revenues are derived from products manufactured at facilities, including among others, our U.S. Gulf Coast facilities, that are exposed to the risk of disasters. If there is a natural disaster or other serious disruption at any of these facilities, it could impair our ability to adequately supply our customers and negatively impact our operating results. On April 29, 2006, our Port Arthur, Texas Olefins manufacturing plant experienced a major fire. With the exception of cyclohexane operations at this site,

16

which were restarted in June 2006, the remaining operations at the site remain shut down. This facility is estimated to remain shut down until early in the third quarter of 2007. In addition, many of our current and potential customers are concentrated in specific geographic areas. A disaster in one of these regions could have a material adverse impact on our operations, operating results and financial condition and our ability to make payments on the notes.

We have a history of losses and may incur losses in the future.

        We incurred net losses in two of the last five fiscal years. Our history of net losses may have a negative impact on our business, including our ability to fund operations, make capital expenditures and service debt obligations. Persistent continued net losses likely would negatively affect our ability to meet such obligations over the long-term. Our history of net losses may also increase our cost of borrowing and make it more difficult and/or expensive to take advantage of opportunities for growth.

Our available cash and access to additional capital may be limited by our significant leverage, which could restrict our ability to grow our businesses, or adversely effect our results or our ability to make payments on the notes.

        We have a significant amount of indebtedness outstanding. As of December 31, 2006, we had total consolidated outstanding indebtedness of approximately $3.6 billion (including the current portion of long-term debt) and a debt to total capitalization ratio of approximately 70%. This balance does not reflect approximately $443 million of outstanding amounts under our off-balance sheet A/R Securitization Program at December 31, 2006. Our outstanding debt could have important consequences for our businesses, including:

•

a high degree of debt makes us more vulnerable to a downturn in our businesses, our industry or the economy in general, as a significant percentage of our cash flow from operations will be required to make payments on our indebtedness, making it more difficult to react to changes in our business and in market or industry conditions;



•

a substantial portion of our future cash flow from operations may be required to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available for other purposes, including the growth of our businesses;



•

our ability to obtain additional financing may be constrained due to our existing level of debt; and



•

part of our indebtedness is, and any future debt may be, subject to variable interest rates, which makes us vulnerable to increases in interest rates.

        We require substantial capital to finance our operations and continued growth, and we may incur substantial additional debt from time to time for a variety of purposes, including acquiring additional businesses. However, our existing debt instruments contain restrictive covenants. Among other things, these covenants limit or prohibit our ability to incur more debt; make prepayments of other debt; pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions; issue capital stock; make investments; create liens; enter into transactions with affiliates; enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and merge or consolidate; and transfer or sell assets. Also, if we undergo a change of control, our debt instruments may require us to make an offer to purchase certain of our notes. Under these circumstances, we may also be required to repay indebtedness under our Senior Credit Facilities prior to our notes. In this event, we may not have the financial resources necessary to purchase such notes, which would result in an event of default under the indentures governing such notes.

        As of December 31, 2006, the current portion of our long term debt totaled approximately $188 million. For 2007, we estimate that our annual aggregate debt service expense will be approximately $275 million, which will include approximately $10 million in amortization of capitalized

17

debt costs. As of December 31, 2006, we had combined outstanding variable rate borrowings of approximately $1.9 billion. Assuming a 1% increase in interest rates, without giving effect to any interest rate hedges, our annual interest rate expense would increase by approximately $19 million. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow or are otherwise unable to obtain the funds required to meet payments of principal and interest on our indebtedness, or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants in the instruments governing our indebtedness, we could be in default under the terms of those instruments. In the event of a default, a holder of the indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed under those instruments to be due and payable together with accrued and unpaid interest, the creditors under our Senior Credit Facilities could elect to terminate their commitments thereunder and we or one or more of our subsidiaries, could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. Any of the foregoing consequences could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make payments on the notes.

If our subsidiaries do not make sufficient distributions to us, then we will not be able to make payment on our debt, including the notes.

        Generally, our debt is the exclusive obligation of our Company and our guarantors and not of any of our other subsidiaries. Because a significant portion of our operations are conducted by these other subsidiaries, our cash flow and our ability to service indebtedness, including our ability to pay the interest on our debt when due and principal of such debt at maturity, are dependent to a large extent upon cash dividends and distributions or other transfers from non-guarantor subsidiaries. In addition, we must first pay amounts due on our senior indebtedness, including our Senior Credit Facilities and our outstanding senior secured notes and senior notes prior to making payments on the notes. Any payment of dividends, distributions, loans or advances by our non-guarantor subsidiaries to us could be subject to restrictions on dividends or repatriation of earnings under applicable local law, monetary transfer restrictions and foreign currency exchange regulations in the jurisdictions in which our subsidiaries operate, and any restrictions imposed by the current and future debt instruments of our non-guarantor subsidiaries. In addition, payments to us by our subsidiaries are contingent upon our non-guarantor subsidiaries' earnings.

        Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and, except for our guarantor subsidiaries, have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due on our debt or to make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans, distributions or other payments, and do not guarantee the payment of interest on, or principal of, our debt. Any right that we have to receive any assets of any of our subsidiaries that are not guarantors upon the liquidation or reorganization of any such subsidiary, and the consequent right of holders of notes to realize proceeds from the sale of their assets, will be structurally subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary's creditors, including trade creditors and holders of debt issued by that subsidiary. The guarantees are unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the guarantors, subordinated to all senior indebtedness of the guarantors, and in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of a guarantor, such guarantor's secured creditors will have a prior secured claim to any collateral securing the debt owed to them.

A downgrade in the ratings of the securities of our Company or our subsidiaries could result in increased interest and other financial expenses related to future borrowings of our Company or our subsidiaries and could restrict our access to additional capital or trade credit.

        Standard and Poor's Ratings Services and Moody's Investors Service maintain credit ratings for us and our parent, Huntsman Corporation. Each of these ratings is currently below investment grade. Any decision by these or other ratings agencies to downgrade such ratings in the future could result in increased interest and other financial expenses relating to our future borrowings and could restrict our ability to obtain additional financing on satisfactory terms. In addition, any downgrade could restrict our access to, and negatively impact the terms of, trade credit extended by our suppliers of raw materials.

18

Existing or future litigation or legislative initiatives restricting the use of MTBE in gasoline may subject us or our products to environmental liability, materially reduce our sales and/or materially increase our costs.

        We produce MTBE, an oxygenate that is blended with gasoline to reduce vehicle air emissions and to enhance the octane rating of gasoline. Existing or future litigation or legislative initiatives restricting the use of MTBE in gasoline may subject us or our products to environmental liability or materially adversely affect our sales and costs. Because MTBE has contaminated some water supplies, its use has become controversial in the U.S. and elsewhere, and its use has been effectively eliminated in the U.S. market.

        As a result of these developments, we currently market, either directly or through third parties, MTBE to customers located outside the U.S. for use as a gasoline additive, which has produced a lower level of cash flow than the previous sale of MTBE in the U.S. We may also elect to use all or a portion of our precursor TBA to produce saleable products other than MTBE. If we opt to produce products other than MTBE, necessary modifications to our facilities will require significant capital expenditures and the sale of such other products may produce a lower level of cash flow than that historically produced from the sale of MTBE.

        Numerous companies, including refiners, manufacturers and sellers of gasoline, as well as manufacturers of MTBE, have been named as defendants in approximately 150 cases currently pending in U.S. courts that allege MTBE contamination in groundwater. We were recently named for the first time as a defendant in five of those lawsuits. The plaintiffs in the MTBE groundwater contamination cases generally seek compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, such as monitoring and abatement, and attorney fees. We currently have insufficient information to meaningfully assess our potential exposure in these cases. It is possible that we could be named as a defendant in additional existing or future MTBE contamination cases. We cannot provide assurances that adverse results against us in existing or future MTBE contamination cases will not have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position.

Our results of operations may be adversely affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates and international business risks.

        We conduct a majority of our business operations outside the U.S., and these operations are subject to risks normally associated with international operations. These risks include the need to convert currencies which may be received for our products into currencies in which we purchase raw materials or pay for services, which could result in a gain or loss depending on fluctuations in exchange rates. In addition, we translate our local currency financial results into U.S. dollars based on average exchange rates prevailing during the reporting period or the exchange rate at the end of that period. During times of a strengthening U.S. dollar, our reported international sales and earnings may be reduced because the local currency may translate into fewer U.S. dollars. Because we currently have significant operations located outside the United States, we are exposed to fluctuations in global currency rates.

        Other risks of international operations include trade barriers, tariffs, exchange controls, national and regional labor strikes, social and political risks, general economic risks and required compliance with a variety of foreign laws, including tax laws. Furthermore, in foreign jurisdictions where process of law may vary from country to country, we may experience difficulty in enforcing agreements. In jurisdictions where bankruptcy laws and practices may vary, we may experience difficulty collecting foreign receivables through foreign legal systems. The occurrence of these risks could disrupt the businesses of our international subsidiaries, which could significantly affect their ability to make distributions to us.

19

The industries in which we compete are highly competitive, and we may not be able to compete effectively with our competitors that have greater financial resources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and on our ability to make payments on the notes.

        The industries in which we operate are highly competitive. Among our competitors are some of the world's largest chemical companies and major integrated petroleum companies that have their own raw material resources. Some of these companies may be able to produce products more economically than we can. In addition, some of our competitors have greater financial resources, which may enable them to invest significant capital into their businesses, including expenditures for research and development. If any of our current or future competitors develops proprietary technology that enables them to produce products at a significantly lower cost, our technology could be rendered uneconomical or obsolete. Moreover, certain of our businesses use technology that is widely available. Accordingly, barriers to entry, apart from capital availability, are low in certain commodity product segments of our business, and the entrance of new competitors into the industry may reduce our ability to capture improving profit margins in circumstances where capacity utilization in the industry is increasing. Further, petroleum-rich countries have become more significant participants in the petrochemical industry and may expand this role significantly in the future. Increased competition in any of our businesses could compel us to reduce the prices of our products, which could result in reduced profit margins and loss of market share and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and on our ability to make payments on the notes.

Our operations involve risks that may increase our operating costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and on our ability to make payments on the notes.

        Although we take precautions to enhance the safety of our operations and minimize the risk of disruptions, our operations are subject to hazards inherent in the manufacturing and marketing of differentiated and commodity chemical products. These hazards include: chemical spills, pipeline leaks and ruptures; storage tank leaks, discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous substances or gases and other hazards incident to the manufacturing, processing, handling, transportation and storage of dangerous chemicals. We are also potentially subject to other hazards, including natural disasters and severe weather; explosions and fires; transportation problems, including interruptions, spills and leaks; mechanical failures; unscheduled downtimes; labor difficulties; remediation complications; and other risks. For example, on April 29, 2006, our Port Arthur, Texas olefins manufacturing plant experienced a major fire and the facility is currently not operational. Damage from the fire is significant and the plant is currently expected to be off line until early in the third quarter of 2007.

        Many potential hazards can cause bodily injury and loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and equipment and environmental damage, and may result in suspension of operations and the imposition of civil or criminal penalties and liabilities. Furthermore, we are subject to present and future claims with respect to workplace exposure, exposure of contractors on our premises as well as other persons located nearby, workers' compensation and other matters.

        We maintain property, business interruption and casualty insurance policies which we believe are in accordance with customary industry practices, but we are not fully insured against all potential hazards and risks incident to our business. We maintain property damage and business interruption insurance policies and products liability and sudden and accidental insurance policies, as well as insurance policies covering other types of risks, including pollution legal liability insurance. Each of these insurance policies is subject to customary exclusions, deductibles and coverage limits, in accordance with industry standards and practices. As a result of market conditions, premiums and deductibles for certain insurance policies can increase substantially and, in some instances, certain insurance may become unavailable or available only for reduced amounts of coverage. If we were to incur a significant liability for which we were not fully insured, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and on our ability to make payments on the notes.

20

        In addition, we are subject to various claims and litigation in the ordinary course of business. In conjunction with many of our past acquisitions, we have obtained indemnity agreements from the prior owners addressing liabilities that may arise from operations and events prior to our ownership. We are a party to various pending lawsuits and proceedings. It is possible that judgments could be rendered against us in these cases or others in which we could be uninsured or not covered by indemnity and beyond the amounts that we currently have reserved or anticipate incurring for such matters.

We are subject to many environmental and safety regulations that may result in unanticipated costs or liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and on our ability to make payments on the notes.

        We are subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws, regulations, rules and ordinances relating to pollution, protection of the environment and the generation, storage, handling, transportation, treatment, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances and waste materials. Actual or alleged violations of environmental laws or permit requirements could result in restrictions or prohibitions on plant operations, substantial civil or criminal sanctions, as well as, under some environmental laws, the assessment of strict liability and/or joint and several liability. Moreover, changes in environmental regulations could inhibit or interrupt our operations, or require us to modify our facilities or operations. Accordingly, environmental or regulatory matters may cause us to incur significant unanticipated losses, costs or liabilities, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and on our ability to make payments on the notes.

        In addition, we could incur significant expenditures in order to comply with existing or future environmental or safety laws. Capital expenditures and costs relating to environmental or safety matters will be subject to evolving regulatory requirements and will depend on the timing of the promulgation and enforcement of specific standards which impose requirements on our operations. Therefore, we cannot assure you that capital expenditures and costs beyond those currently anticipated will not be required under existing or future environmental or safety laws.

        Furthermore, we may be liable for the costs of investigating and cleaning up environmental contamination on or from our properties or at off-site locations where we disposed of or arranged for the disposal or treatment of hazardous materials or from disposal activities that pre-dated our purchase of our businesses. We may therefore incur additional costs and expenditures beyond those currently anticipated to address all such known and unknown situations under existing and future environmental laws.

Our business is dependent on our intellectual property. If our patents are declared invalid or our trade secrets become known to our competitors, our ability to compete may be adversely affected.

        Proprietary protection of our processes, apparatuses and other technology is important to our business. Consequently, we may have to rely on judicial enforcement of our patents and other proprietary rights. While a presumption of validity exists with respect to patents issued to us in the U.S., there can be no assurance that any of our patents will not be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or rendered unenforceable. Furthermore, if any pending patent application filed by us does not result in an issued patent, or if patents are issued to us, but such patents do not provide meaningful protection of our intellectual property, then our ability to compete may be adversely affected. Additionally, our competitors or other third parties may obtain patents that restrict or preclude our ability to lawfully produce or sell our products in a competitive manner, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and on our ability to make payments on the notes.

21

        We also rely upon unpatented proprietary know-how and continuing technological innovation and other trade secrets to develop and maintain our competitive position. While it is our policy to enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees and third parties to protect our intellectual property, these confidentiality agreements may be breached, may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets or proprietary know-how, or adequate remedies may not be available in the event of an unauthorized use or disclosure of our trade secrets and know-how. In addition, others could obtain knowledge of our trade secrets through independent development or other access by legal means. The failure of our patents or confidentiality agreements to protect our processes, apparatuses, technology, trade secrets or proprietary know-how could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and on our ability to make payments on the notes.

Loss of key members of our management could disrupt our business.

        We depend on the continued employment and performance of our senior executives and other key members of management. If any of these individuals resigns or becomes unable to continue in his present role and is not adequately replaced, our business operations and our ability to implement our growth strategies could be materially disrupted. We generally do not have employment agreements with, and we do not maintain any "key man" life insurance for, our executive officers.

Terrorist attacks, such as the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, the continuing military action in Iraq, general instability in various OPEC member and other energy-producing nations, the threat of other attacks or acts of war in the U.S. and abroad and increased security regulations related to our industry could adversely affect our business.

        The attacks of September 11, 2001, and subsequent events, including the continuing military action in Iraq, have caused instability in the U.S. and other financial markets and have led, and may continue to lead, to further armed hostilities, prolonged military action in Iraq, or further acts of terrorism in the U.S. or abroad, which could cause further instability in financial markets. Current regional tensions and conflicts in various OPEC member and other energy-producing nations, including the continuing military action in Iraq, have caused, and may cause further, increases in raw material costs, particularly natural gas and crude oil based feedstocks, which are used in our operations. The uncertainty surrounding the threat of further armed hostilities, military action or acts of terrorism may impact any or all of our physical facilities and operations, which are located in North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East, or those of our customers. Furthermore, the terrorist attacks, subsequent events and future developments in any of these areas may result in reduced demand from our customers for our products. In addition, local, state and federal governments have begun a regulatory process that could lead to new regulations impacting the security of chemical plant locations and the transportation of hazardous chemicals, which could result in higher operating costs. These developments will subject our worldwide operations to increased risks and, depending on their magnitude, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and our ability to make payments on the notes.

Our internal control over financial reporting could be adversely affected by a material weakness in our internal controls.

        In our amended quarterly report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, we disclosed that in February 2007 we discovered an error in the accounting for the impairment of our European base chemicals and polymers business, which led to a restatement of our reported results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2006. In connection with the restatement, we concluded that, as of September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2006, we had a material weakness in our financial reporting process related to the accounting for this complex, non-routine transaction. As a result of this material weakness, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that as

22

of December 31, 2006 our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective. While we have taken steps to remediate this weakness, to the extent that our actions to remediate this weakness are ineffective or inadequate, or there are other weaknesses or deficiencies that arise, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting may be adversely affected.

RISKS RELATED TO THE NOTES

Despite our current levels of indebtedness, we may incur substantially more debt, which could further increase the risks associated with our substantial indebtedness.

        Although the agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness contain, and the indenture governing the notes contains, restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness by us and our restricted subsidiaries, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. As of December 31, 2006, we had approximately $3.645 billion of indebtedness and we had approximately $606.5 million available for revolving borrowings, or, within limits, issuances of letters of credit under our senior secured credit facilities. As of December 31, 2006, we had approximately $443.2 million in advances and approximately $2.8 million available for additional advances under our off-balance sheet A/R Securitization Program. We may incur substantial additional indebtedness from time to time for a variety of purposes. Although a covenant in the indenture governing the notes will restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, this covenant is subject to certain significant exceptions, such as our ability to incur additional debt when our pro forma Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined) exceeds 2 to 1 and to incur additional indebtedness under the definition of "Permitted Indebtedness." Our fixed charge coverage ratio currently exceeds 2 to 1. See "Description of Notes—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness" and "—Certain Definitions." Since the operating results of many of our businesses are cyclical, we could incur significant amounts of additional indebtedness at the peak of the operating cycle. To the extent that we incur indebtedness that constitutes senior indebtedness, such indebtedness may be secured. If new debt is added to the current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify.

We and the guarantors of the notes are permitted to provide guarantees of indebtedness of our direct or indirect parent. The indenture does not contain restrictions on such parent company and in certain circumstances the guarantees that we and the guarantors are permitted to issue in respect of such parent company's debt may be senior in right of payment to the notes or the guarantees of the notes, as the case may be.

        The indenture will provide that we and the guarantors of the notes may provide guarantees of indebtedness of our direct or indirect parent if, among other things, the proceeds of such parent's indebtedness are used to refinance our indebtedness. The amount of such guarantees by us and the guarantors shall be limited to the amount of our indebtedness that is so refinanced plus the amount of premiums and expenses to be paid, in each case in connection with such refinancing of our debt. The parent company whose indebtedness we and the guarantors so guarantee will not be governed by the covenants in the indenture governing the notes relating to, among other things, restricted payments and incurrence of indebtedness. There is a significant risk that such parent company's indebtedness, including our and our subsidiaries' guarantees of such parent indebtedness, may be satisfied from the assets of our company and the guarantors. If our or our subsidiaries' guarantees of parent indebtedness rank senior in right of payment to the notes and the guarantees and our parent becomes insolvent, our parent's creditors may assert claims against us or our subsidiaries that are senior in right of payment to claims of holders of the notes. See "Description of Notes—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness," "—Limitation on Restricted Payments," "—Limitation on Liens" and "—Limitations on Transactions with Affiliates."

23

The instruments governing our debt contain cross default provisions that may cause all of the debt issued under such instruments to become immediately due and payable as a result of a default under an unrelated debt instrument.

        The indentures governing our outstanding senior notes, senior secured notes and senior subordinated notes and the notes offered hereby contain numerous covenants, and the agreements governing our senior secured credit facilities and our off-balance sheet A/R Securitization Program contain numerous covenants and require us to meet certain financial ratios and tests. Our failure to comply with the obligations contained in the indentures governing our outstanding senior notes, senior secured notes and senior subordinated notes and the notes offered hereby, our senior secured credit facilities and our off-balance sheet A/R Securitization Program or other instruments governing our indebtedness could result in an event of default under the applicable instrument, which could result in the related debt and the debt issued under other instruments becoming immediately due and payable. In such event, we would need to raise funds from alternative sources, which funds may not be available to us on favorable terms, on a timely basis or at all. Alternatively, such a default could require us to sell our assets and otherwise curtail operations in order to pay our creditors.

The notes and the subsidiary guarantees are subordinated to our and the subsidiary guarantors' senior debt.

        The notes will be our senior subordinated obligations. Accordingly, the notes will be subordinated to all of our existing and future senior debt. We expect to incur additional senior debt from time to time in the future. The indenture governing the notes will limit, but not prohibit, the incurrence of other debt by us, including senior debt. As a result of such subordination, upon any distribution to our creditors in a liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy, reorganization or any similar proceeding by or relating to us or our property, the holders of our senior debt would be entitled to receive payment in full before the holders of the notes would be entitled to receive any payment. In addition, all payments on the notes could be blocked in the event of a default on our senior debt. See "Description of Notes—Subordination."

        The notes will not be secured. The borrowings under our senior secured credit facilities and our senior secured notes are secured by liens on our assets. If we or any of our guarantors liquidates, dissolves or declares bankruptcy, or if payment under the credit agreement or any of our other secured debt is accelerated, our secured creditors would be entitled to exercise the remedies available to a secured creditor under applicable law and will have a claim on those assets before the holders of the notes. The guarantees are unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the guarantors, subordinated to all senior indebtedness of the guarantors, and in the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of a guarantor, such guarantor's secured creditors will have a prior secured claim to any collateral securing the debt owed to them. As of December 31, 2006, we and the guarantors had approximately $2.3 billion of senior debt outstanding to which the notes and the guarantees are subordinated, and approximately $164.7 million of additional debt is available for borrowing under our senior secured revolving credit facilities.

The notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness of our subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the notes.

        We derive a significant portion of our revenue from our consolidated subsidiaries. While certain of our subsidiaries will guarantee the notes, other subsidiaries are not guaranteeing the notes. You will not have any claim as a creditor against our other subsidiaries that are not guarantors of the notes. Accordingly, all obligations of our non-guarantor subsidiaries will have to be satisfied before any of the assets of such subsidiaries would be available for distribution, upon a liquidation or otherwise, to us or a guarantor of the notes. As of December 31, 2006, our non-guarantor subsidiaries had approximately $164.7 million of total indebtedness, excluding intercompany indebtedness owed to us or the

24

guarantors. Under the indenture, if we meet a specified fixed charge coverage ratio, our non-guarantor subsidiaries may incur additional indebtedness, which would be structurally senior to the notes.

We may not have the ability to repurchase notes upon a change of control as required by the indenture.

        Upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, each holder of notes may require us to repurchase all or a portion of its notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the date of purchase. Our ability to repurchase the notes upon a change of control is prohibited by our senior secured credit facilities. In any event, we cannot assure you that we will have sufficient funds to repurchase the notes upon a change of control. Our failure to repurchase the notes upon a change of control would result in a default under the indenture governing the notes, which would, in turn, result in a default under our senior secured credit facilities and our outstanding senior notes and senior subordinated notes.

The notes and guarantees may be void, avoided or subordinated under laws governing fraudulent transfers and insolvency.

        We have incurred substantial debt, including our outstanding senior notes and senior subordinated notes and our senior secured credit facilities. Various fraudulent conveyance laws enacted for the protection of creditors may apply to our issuance of the notes and the guarantors' issuance of the guarantees. To the extent that a court were to find that:

(1)

the notes were issued or a guarantee was incurred with actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud any present or future creditor; or



(2)

we or a guarantor did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value for issuing the notes or guarantees;

and that we or a guarantor

(A)

was insolvent;



(B)

was rendered insolvent by reason of the issuance of the notes or a guarantee;



(C)

was engaged or about to engage in a business or transaction for which our or its remaining assets or those of a guarantor constituted unreasonably small capital; or



(D)

intended to incur, or believed that we or it would incur, debts beyond our or its ability to pay those debts as they matured;

then the court could void the notes and the guarantees or subordinate the notes or the guarantees in favor of our or the guarantor's other creditors. Furthermore, to the extent that the notes or a guarantee were voided as a fraudulent conveyance or held unenforceable for any other reason:

•

claims of holders of the notes against us or a guarantor would be adversely affected;



•

the notes or the guarantees would be effectively subordinated to all obligations of our other creditors or the creditors of the guarantor; and



•

the other creditors would be entitled to be paid in full before any payment could be made on the notes or the guarantees.

You may find it difficult to sell your notes because no public trading market for the notes exists and securities laws will restrict your ability to transfer the notes.

        These notes have not been registered under the Securities Act. Accordingly, the notes may only be offered or sold pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or pursuant to an effective registration statement. Although we are required to commence an exchange

25

offer for the notes, or to register resales of the notes under the Securities Act, within certain time periods as described elsewhere in this offering circular, we cannot assure you that such exchange offer or registration will be completed. We are not obligated to effect any such registration with respect to the euro notes.

        The notes will constitute a new class of securities for which there is no established trading market. Although we expect the notes to be eligible for trading in PORTAL, we cannot assure you that we will obtain such a listing or that an active trading market will develop for or the notes. The initial purchasers have advised us that they currently intend to make a market in these notes after this offering is completed. However, the initial purchasers are not obligated to do so and may cease their market making at any time. Moreover, the initial purchasers' market making activities will be subject to limits imposed by the Securities Act or the Exchange Act during the pendency of any exchange offer described under "Exchange Offer; Registration Rights." If no active trading market develops, you may not be able to resell your notes at their fair market value or at all. Future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including, among other things, our ability to effect the exchange offer, prevailing interest rates, our operating results and the market for similar securities.

        Historically, the market for non-investment grade debt has been subject to disruptions that have caused substantial volatility in prices. The market for the notes, if any, may be subject to similar disruptions. A disruption may have a negative effect on you as a holder of the notes, regardless of our prospects or performance.

26

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        Certain information set forth in this prospectus contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions or dispositions and other information that is not historical information. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "anticipates" or "intends" or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. We may also make additional forward-looking statements from time to time. All such subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, by us or on our behalf, are also expressly qualified by these cautionary statements.

        All forward-looking statements, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them, but, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will result or be achieved. All forward-looking statements apply only as of the date made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

        There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in or contemplated by this prospectus. Any forward-looking statements should be considered in light of the risks set forth under the heading "Risk Factors," and elsewhere in this prospectus.

        This prospectus includes information with respect to market share, industry conditions and forecasts that we obtained from internal industry research, publicly available information (including industry publications and surveys), and surveys and market research provided by consultants. The publicly available information and the reports, forecasts and other research provided by consultants generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but there can be no assurance as to the accuracy and completeness of such information. We have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources, nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein. Similarly, our internal research and forecasts are based upon our management's understanding of industry conditions, and such information has not been verified by any independent sources.

27

THE EXCHANGE OFFER

PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

        When we sold the old notes in December 2004, November 2006, February 2007 and March 2007, we conveyed the rights contained in exchange and registration rights agreements with the initial purchasers of those notes. Under the exchange and registration rights agreements, we agreed to file the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part regarding the exchange of the old notes for new notes which are registered under the Securities Act. We also agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to cause the registration statement to become effective with the SEC, and to conduct this exchange offer after the registration statement was declared effective. We will use our best efforts to keep the registration statement effective until the exchange offer is completed. The exchange and registration rights agreements provide that we will be required to pay liquidated damages to the holders of the old notes if the exchange offer has not been completed within 45 days after the effective date of the registration statement. Copies of the exchange and registration rights agreements are filed as exhibits to the registration statement.

TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER

        This prospectus and the accompanying letters of transmittal together constitute the exchange offer. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the letters of transmittal, we will accept for exchange old notes that are properly tendered on or before the expiration date and are not withdrawn as permitted below. The expiration date for this exchange offer is 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 5, 2007, or such later date and time to which we, in our sole discretion, extend the exchange offer. The exchange offer, however, will be in effect no longer than 45 days from the date of this prospectus.

        The form and terms of the new notes being issued in the exchange offer are the same as the form and terms of the same respective issue of old notes, except that:

•

the new notes will have been registered under the Securities Act;



•

the new notes will not contain transfer restrictions and registration rights that relate to the old notes; and



•

the new notes will not contain provisions relating to the payment of liquidated damages to be made to the holders of the old notes under circumstances related to the timing of the exchange offer.

        Old dollar notes tendered in the exchange offer must be in denominations of the principal amount of $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof. Old euro notes tendered in the exchange offer must be in denominations of the principal amount of €1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.

        We expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion:

•

to extend the expiration date;



•

to delay accepting any old notes;



•

if any of the conditions set forth below under "—Conditions to the Exchange Offer" have not been satisfied, to terminate the exchange offer and not accept any notes for exchange; and



•

to amend the exchange offer in any manner.

        We will give oral or written notice of any extension, delay, non-acceptance, termination or amendment as promptly as practicable by a public announcement, and in the case of an extension, no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

28

        During an extension, all old notes previously tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer and may be accepted for exchange by us. Any old notes not accepted for exchange for any reason will be returned without cost to the holder that tendered them promptly after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.

HOW TO TENDER OLD NOTES FOR EXCHANGE

        We have forwarded to you, along with this prospectus, letters of transmittal relating to this exchange offer. Because all of the old notes are held in book-entry accounts maintained by the relevant exchange agent at DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, a holder need not submit a letter of transmittal if the holder tenders old notes in accordance with the procedures mandated by DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP") or by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be. To tender old notes without submitting a letter of transmittal, the electronic instructions sent to DTC, Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg and transmitted to the relevant exchange agent must contain your acknowledgment of receipt of, and your agreement to be bound by and to make all of the representations contained in, the letter of transmittal. In all other cases, a letter of transmittal must be manually executed and delivered as described in this prospectus.

        We have appointed two separate exchange agents in connection with this exchange offer. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A, the dollar exchange agent, has been appointed as the exchange agent with responsibility for the tender and exchange of all old dollar notes for new dollar notes. Citibank, N.A., the euro exchange agent, has been appointed as the exchange agent with responsibility for the tender and exchange of all old euro notes for new euro notes. Holders of old notes are responsible for knowing which exchange agent is responsible for the type of notes such holder wishes to tender. Any letters of transmittal or other instructions sent by a holder to the wrong exchange agent may be delayed or rejected.

        Only a holder of record of old notes may tender old notes in the exchange offer. To tender in the exchange offer, a holder must comply with the procedures of DTC or Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as applicable, and either:

•

complete, sign and date the letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal; have the signature on the letter of transmittal guaranteed if the letter of transmittal so requires; and deliver the letter of transmittal or facsimile to the applicable exchange agent prior to the expiration date; or



•

in lieu of delivering a letter of transmittal, comply with the instructions and procedures of DTC or Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be, for the transmittal on behalf of the holder of a computer-generated message to the relevant exchange agent in which the holder of the old notes acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal, which computer-generated message shall be received by the relevant exchange agent prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

        In addition, either:

•

the applicable exchange agent must receive old notes along with the letter of transmittal; or



•

with respect to the old dollar notes, the dollar exchange agent must receive, before expiration of the exchange offer, timely confirmation of book-entry transfer of old dollar notes into the dollar exchange agent's account at DTC, according to the procedure for book-entry transfer described below; or



•

with respect to the old euro notes, the euro exchange agent must receive, before the expiration date, timely confirmation from Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg that the securities account to which the old euro notes are credited has been blocked from and including the day

29

on which the confirmation is delivered to the euro exchange agent and that no transfers will be effected in relation to such old euro notes at any time after such date.

        To be tendered effectively, the exchange agent must receive any physical delivery of the letter of transmittal and other required documents at the exchange agent's address set forth below under the caption "—The Exchange agent" before expiration of the exchange offer. To receive confirmation of valid tender of old notes, a holder should contact the exchange agent at the telephone number listed under the caption "—The Exchange agent".

        The tender by a holder that is not withdrawn before expiration of the exchange offer will constitute an agreement between that holder and us in accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the letter of transmittal. Only a registered holder of old notes may tender the old notes in the exchange offer. If a holder completing a letter of transmittal tenders less than all of the old notes held by such holder, such tendering holder should fill in the applicable box of the letter of transmittal. The amount of old notes delivered to the exchange agent will be deemed to have been tendered, unless otherwise indicated.

        If old notes, the letter of transmittal or any other required documents are physically delivered to the exchange agent, the method of delivery is at the holder's election and risk. Rather than mail these items, we recommend that holders use an overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, holders should allow sufficient time to assure delivery to the exchange agent before expiration of the exchange offer. Holders should not send the letter of transmittal or old notes to us. Holders may request their respective brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees to effect the above transactions for them.

        Any beneficial owner whose old notes are registered in the name of a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes to tender should contact the registered holder promptly and instruct it to tender on the owner's behalf. If the beneficial owner wishes to tender on its own behalf, it must, prior to completing and executing the letter of transmittal and delivering its old notes, either:

•

make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the old notes in the owner's name; or



•

obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder of old notes.

        The transfer of registered ownership may take considerable time and may not be completed prior to the expiration date.

        If the applicable letter of transmittal is signed by the record holder(s) of the old notes tendered, the signature must correspond with the name(s) written on the face of the old note without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever. If the applicable letter of transmittal is signed by a participant in DTC or Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as applicable, the signature must correspond with the name as it appears on the security position listing as the holder of the old notes.

        Signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, must be guaranteed unless the old notes surrendered for exchange are tendered:

(1)

by a holder of old notes who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the letter of transmittal; or



(2)

for the account of an "eligible institution."

        An "eligible institution" is a financial institution, including most banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses, that is a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program or the Stock Exchanges Medallion Program.

30

        If signatures on a letter of transmittal or notice of withdrawal are required to be guaranteed, the guarantor must be an eligible institution. If old notes are registered in the name of a person other than the signer of the letter of transmittal, the old notes surrendered for exchange must be endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer or exchange, in satisfactory form as determined by us in our sole discretion, duly executed by the registered holder with the holder's signature guaranteed by an eligible institution.

        If a person or persons other than the registered holder or holders of the old notes tendered for exchange signs the letter of transmittal, the tendered notes must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate powers of attorney, in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered holder or holders that appear on the old notes.

        If trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity sign the letter of transmittal or any old notes or any power of attorney, such persons should so indicate when signing, and you must submit proper evidence satisfactory to us of such person's authority to so act unless we waive this requirement.

        We will determine all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance of old notes tendered for exchange in our sole discretion. Our determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to:

(1)

reject any and all tenders of any old note improperly tendered;



(2)

refuse to accept any old note if, in our judgment or the judgment of our counsel, acceptance of the old note may be deemed unlawful; and



(3)

waive any defects or irregularities or conditions of tender as to any particular old note either before or after the expiration date, including the right to waive the ineligibility of any holder who seeks to tender old notes in the exchange offer.

        Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of tender as to any particular old note either before or after the expiration date, including the letter of transmittal and the instructions to it, will be final and binding on all parties. Holders must cure any defects and irregularities in connection with tenders of old notes for exchange within such reasonable period of time as we will determine, unless we waive such defects or irregularities. Neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person shall be under any duty to give notification of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of old notes for exchange, nor shall any of us incur any liability for failure to give such notification.

        By tendering, each holder will represent to us, among other things, that the person acquiring new notes in this exchange offer is obtaining them in the ordinary course of its business, whether or not such person is the holder, and that neither the holder nor such other person has any arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the new notes issued in this exchange offer. If any holder or any such other person is an "affiliate," as defined under Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of our company, or is engaged in or intends to engage in or has an arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in a distribution of such new notes to be acquired in this exchange offer, such holder or any such other person:

(1)

may not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the SEC; and



(2)

must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction.

        Each broker-dealer who acquired its old notes as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and thereafter receives new notes issued for its own account in this exchange offer, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such new notes issued in this exchange offer. The letters of transmittal state that by so acknowledging and by delivering

31

a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. See "Plan of Distribution" for a discussion of the exchange and resale obligations of broker-dealers in connection with this exchange offer.

ACCEPTANCE OF OLD NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF NEW NOTES

        Upon satisfaction or waiver of all of the conditions to this exchange offer, we will accept, promptly after the expiration date, all old notes properly tendered and will issue the new notes registered under the Securities Act. For purposes of this exchange offer, we shall be deemed to have accepted properly tendered old notes for exchange when, as and if we have given oral or written notice to the exchange agent, with written confirmation of any oral notice to be given promptly thereafter. See "—Conditions to the Exchange Offer" for a discussion of the conditions that must be satisfied before we accept any old notes for exchange.

        For each old note accepted for exchange, the holder will receive a new note registered under the Securities Act having a principal amount equal to, and in the denomination of, that of the surrendered old note. Accordingly, registered holders of new notes on the relevant record date for the first interest payment date following the consummation of this exchange offer will receive interest accruing from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid on the old notes, from the respective dates such old notes were originally issued. Old notes that we accept for exchange will cease to accrue interest from and after the date of consummation of this exchange offer. Under the exchange and registration rights agreement, we may be required to make additional payments in the form of liquidated damages to the holders of the old 2014 notes under circumstances relating to the timing of this exchange offer.

        In all cases, we will issue new dollar notes in this exchange offer for old dollar notes that are accepted for exchange only after the exchange agent timely receives:

(1)

certificates for such old notes or a timely book-entry confirmation of such old notes into the exchange agent's account at the book entry transfer facility;



(2)

a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal or facsimile thereof, with any required signature guarantees, or an agent's message; and



(3)

all other required documents.

        In all cases, we will issue new euro notes in this exchange offer for old euro notes that are accepted for exchange only after the euro exchange agent timely receives:

(1)

a timely confirmation from Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg that the securities account to which the old euro notes are credited has been blocked;



(2)

a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal or facsimile thereof, with any required signature guarantees, or an agent's message; and



(3)

all other required documents.

        If for any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of this exchange offer we do not accept any tendered old notes, or if a holder submits old notes for a greater principal amount than the holder desires to exchange, we will return such unaccepted or non-exchanged notes without cost to the tendering holder. In the case of old dollar notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the dollar exchange agent's account at DTC, such non-exchanged old dollar notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC promptly after the expiration or termination of this exchange offer. In the case of old euro notes tendered in accordance with the blocking procedures of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, the old euro notes will be returned to their holder by cancellation of the blocking

32

instruction in accordance with the standard operating procedures of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg promptly after the expiration or termination of this exchange offer.

DTC BOOK ENTRY TRANSFERS

        The dollar exchange agent will make a request to establish an account at DTC with respect to old dollar notes for purposes of this exchange offer promptly upon receipt of this prospectus. Any financial institution that is a participant in DTC's systems must make book-entry delivery of old dollar notes by causing DTC to transfer those old dollar notes into the exchange agent's account at DTC in accordance with DTC's electronic Automated Tender Offer Program procedures for such transfer. Such participant should transmit its acceptance to DTC on or prior to the expiration date or comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below. DTC will verify such acceptance, execute a book-entry transfer of the tendered old dollar notes into the dollar exchange agent's account at DTC and then send to the exchange agent confirmation of such book-entry transfer. The confirmation of such book-entry transfer will include an agent's message confirming that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from such participant that such participant has received and agrees to be bound by the letter of transmittal and that we may enforce the letter of transmittal against such participant. Delivery of new dollar notes may be effected through book-entry transfer at DTC, as applicable. However, the letter of transmittal or facsimile thereof, with any required signature guarantees, or an agent's message, and any other required documents, must be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at the address set forth below under "—The Exchange agent" on or prior to the expiration date or comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described below.

EUROCLEAR AND CLEARSTREAM, LUXEMBOURG PROCEDURES FOR BLOCKING INSTRUCTIONS

        The registered holder of the old euro notes on the records of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg must, unless otherwise instructed by Euroclear or Clearstream Luxembourg, instruct Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg to block the securities in the account in Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg to which such old euro notes are credited. In order for the exchange offer to be accepted, the euro exchange agent must have received, prior to the expiration date, a confirmation from Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg that the securities account of old euro notes tendered has been blocked from and including the day on which the confirmation is delivered to the euro exchange agent and that no transfers will be effected in relation to the old euro notes at any time after such date. Old euro notes should be blocked in accordance with the procedures of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as the case may be. The exchange of the old euro notes so tendered will only be made after a timely receipt by the euro exchange agent of an agent's message and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal. The term "agent's message" means a message, transmitted by Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg and received by the euro exchange agent which states that Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg has received an express acknowledgment from a participant tendering old euro notes that the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal, and that we may enforce that agreement against the participant.

        These instructions are subject to the rules and procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg, which are subject to change. Holders of old euro notes must comply with any and all instructions received from Euroclear and Clearstream, Luxembourg.

GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES

        If a registered holder of old dollar notes desires to tender the old dollar notes, and the old dollar notes are not immediately available, or time will not permit the holder's old dollar notes or other required documents to reach the dollar exchange agent before the expiration date, or the procedure for

33

book-entry transfer described above cannot be completed on a timely basis, a tender may nonetheless be made if:

•

the tender is made through an eligible institution;



•

prior to the expiration date, the dollar exchange agent received from an eligible institution a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of transmittal, and notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in the form provided by us, by facsimile transmission, mail or hand delivery,



(1)

stating the name and address of the holder of old dollar notes and the amount of old dollar notes tendered;



(2)

stating that the tender is being made; and



(3)

guaranteeing that within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the expiration date, the certificates for all physically tendered old dollar notes, in proper form for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, and any other documents required by the letter of transmittal will be deposited by the eligible institution with the dollar exchange agent; and



•

the certificates for all physically tendered old dollar notes, in proper form for transfer, or a book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, and all other documents required by the letter of transmittal, are received by the exchange dollar agent within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the expiration date.

WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS

        You may withdraw tenders of your old notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

        For a withdrawal to be effective, you must send a written notice of withdrawal to the appropriate exchange agent at the exchange agent's corresponding address set forth below under "—The Exchange agent." Any such notice of withdrawal must:

(1)

specify the name of the person having tendered the old notes to be withdrawn;



(2)

identify the old notes to be withdrawn, including the principal amount of such old notes; and



(3)

where certificates for old notes are transmitted, specify the name in which old notes are registered, if different from that of the withdrawing holder.

        If certificates for old notes have been delivered or otherwise identified to an exchange agent, then, prior to the release of such certificates the withdrawing holder must also submit the serial numbers of the particular certificates to be withdrawn and signed notice of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an eligible institution unless such holder is an eligible institution. If old notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer or the blocking instructions described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC or Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, as applicable, to be credited with the withdrawn old notes and otherwise comply with the procedures of such facility. We will determine all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) of such notices and our determination will be final and binding on all parties. Any tendered old notes so withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for exchange for purposes of this exchange offer. Any old notes tendered for exchange that are not exchanged for any reason will be returned to the holder without cost to such holder. In the case of old notes tendered by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account at DTC, such old notes will be credited to an account maintained with DTC for the old notes as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of this exchange offer. In the case of old euro notes tendered in

34

accordance with the blocking procedures of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg, the old euro notes will be returned to their holder by cancellation of the blocking instruction in accordance with the standard operating procedures of Euroclear or Clearstream, Luxembourg as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of tender or termination of this exchange offer. Properly withdrawn old notes may be re-tendered by following one of the procedures described under "—How to Tender Old Notes for Exchange" above at any time on or prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date.

CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER

        Notwithstanding any other provision of this exchange offer, we will not be required to accept for exchange, or to issue new notes in this exchange offer for any old notes, and we may terminate or amend this exchange offer, if at any time before the expiration of this exchange offer:

(1)

any federal law, statute, rule or regulation shall have been adopted or enacted which, in our judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair our ability to proceed with this exchange offer;



(2)

any stop order shall be threatened or in effect with respect to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a part or the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended;



(3)

there shall occur a change in the current interpretation by the staff of the SEC which permits the new notes issued in this exchange offer in exchange for the old notes to be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by such holders, other than broker-dealers and any such holder which is an "affiliate" of our company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act, without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that such new notes acquired in this exchange offer are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business and such holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such new notes issued in this exchange offer;



(4)

there has occurred any general suspension of or general limitation on prices for, or trading in, securities on any national exchange or in the over-the-counter market;



(5)

any governmental agency creates limits that adversely affect our ability to complete this exchange offer; or



(6)

there shall occur any declaration of war, armed hostilities or other similar international calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, or the worsening of any such condition that existed at the time that we commence this exchange offer.

        The non-occurrence of each of the preceding events is a condition to this exchange offer. We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate this exchange offer upon the occurrence of any of these events. The conditions are for our sole benefit and we may assert them regardless of the circumstances giving rise to them. We may waive the preceding conditions in whole or in part at any time and from time to time in our sole discretion prior to the expiration of this exchange offer. If we do so, this exchange offer will remain open for at least three (3) business days following any waiver of the preceding conditions and, if we determine that any waiver constitutes a material change to the terms of this exchange offer, this exchange offer will remain open for at least five (5) business days following any such waiver. Our failure at any time to exercise the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such right shall be deemed an ongoing right which we may assert at any time and from time to time, except that all conditions to this exchange offer must be satisfied or waived by us prior to the expiration of this exchange offer. We will give oral or written notice or public announcement of any waiver by us of any condition and any related amendment, termination or extension of this exchange offer. In the case of any extension, such oral or written notice or public

35

announcement will be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.

THE EXCHANGE AGENT

        As explained above, we have appointed two separate exchange agents in connection with this exchange offer. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A has been appointed as the dollar exchange agent and is responsible for the tender and exchange of all old dollar notes for new dollar notes. Citibank, N.A. has been appointed as the euro exchange agent and is responsible for the tender and exchange of all old euro notes for new euro notes. All executed letters of transmittal should be directed to the appropriate exchange agent at the address set forth below corresponding to such exchange agent. You should direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal and requests for notices of guaranteed delivery to the relevant exchange agent addressed as follows:

36

        Delivery of the letter of transmittal to the wrong exchange agent, to an address other than as set forth above, or transmission of such letter of transmittal via facsimile other than as set forth above, does not constitute a valid delivery of such letter of transmittal.

FEES AND EXPENSES

        We will not make any payment to brokers, dealers or others soliciting acceptance of this exchange offer, except for reimbursement of mailing expenses.

ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

        We will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes upon the consummation of this exchange offer. We will amortize the expense of this exchange offer over the term of the new notes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").

TRANSFER TAXES

        You will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection with the tender of your old notes in this exchange offer. If, however, new notes are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the holder of the old notes tendered, or if a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of old notes in connection with this exchange offer, then you must pay any such transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder or on any other person. If satisfactory evidence of payment of, or exemption from, such taxes is not submitted with the letter of transmittal, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to you.

CONSEQUENCES OF FAILING TO EXCHANGE OLD NOTES

        Holders who desire to tender their old notes in exchange for new notes registered under the Securities Act should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. Neither the exchange agent nor our Company is under any duty to give notification of defects or irregularities with respect to the tenders of old notes for exchange.

        Old notes that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted will, following the consummation of this exchange offer, continue to be subject to the provisions in the indenture regarding the transfer and exchange of the old notes and the existing restrictions on transfer set forth in the legend on the old notes and in the offering memoranda dated December 3, 2004 and October 31, 2006, relating to the old notes. Except in limited circumstances with respect to specific types of holders of old notes, we will have no further obligation to provide for the registration under the Securities Act of such old notes. In general, old notes, unless registered under the Securities Act, may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. We do not currently anticipate that we will take any action to register the untendered old notes under the Securities Act or under any state securities laws.

        Upon completion of this exchange offer, holders of the old notes will not be entitled to any further registration rights under the exchange and registration rights agreement, except under limited circumstances.

        Holders of the new notes and any old notes which remain outstanding after consummation of this exchange offer will vote together as a single class for purposes of determining whether holders of the requisite percentage of the class have taken certain actions or exercised certain rights under the indenture.

37

CONSEQUENCES OF EXCHANGING OLD NOTES

        Based on interpretations of the staff of the SEC, as set forth in no-action letters to third parties, we believe that the new notes may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by holders of such notes, other than by any holder which is a broker-dealer or an "affiliate" of our Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act. The new notes may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, if:

(1)

the new notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holder's business; and



(2)

such holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of the new notes.

        However, the SEC has not considered this exchange offer in the context of a no-action letter and we cannot guarantee that the staff of the SEC would make a similar determination with respect to this exchange offer as in such other circumstances.

        Each holder, other than a broker-dealer, must furnish a written representation, at our request, that:

(1)

it is not an affiliate of ours;



(2)

it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the new notes and has no arrangement or understanding to participate in a distribution of the new notes;



(3)

it is acquiring the new notes in the ordinary course of its business; and



(4)

it is not acting on behalf of a person who could not make representations (1)-(3).

        Each broker-dealer that receives new notes in this exchange offer for its own account in exchange for old notes must acknowledge that it acquired such old notes as a result of market-making or other trading activities and that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the new notes. See "Plan of Distribution" for a discussion of the exchange and resale obligations of broker-dealers in connection with this exchange offer.

        In addition, to comply with state securities laws of certain jurisdictions, the new notes may not be offered or sold in any state unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and complied with by the holders selling the new notes. We have agreed in the exchange and registration rights agreement that, prior to any public offering of transfer restricted securities, we will register or qualify the transfer restricted securities for offer or sale under the securities laws of any jurisdiction requested by a holder. Unless a holder requests, we currently do not intend to register or qualify the sale of the new notes in any state where an exemption from registration or qualification is required and not available. "Transfer restricted securities" means each old note until:

(1)

the date on which such old note has been exchanged by a person other than a broker-dealer or an affiliate for a new note;



(2)

following the exchange by a broker-dealer in this exchange offer of an old note for a new note, the date on which the new note is sold to a purchaser who receives from such broker-dealer on or prior to the date of such sale a copy of this prospectus;



(3)

the date on which such old note has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with a shelf registration statement that we file in accordance with the exchange and registration rights agreement; or



(4)

the date on which such old note is distributed to the public in a transaction under Rule 144 of the Securities Act.

38

USE OF PROCEEDS

        We will not receive any proceeds from the issuance of the new notes. The new notes will be exchanged for old notes in like principal amount, and the exchanged old notes will be canceled. As a result, the issuance of new notes in exchange for old notes as contemplated in this prospectus will not result in any change in our indebtedness.

        The aggregate net proceeds received by us from the sale of the old 2015 notes, after deducting the initial purchasers' discounts and commissions and offering expenses, were approximately $355 million U.S. dollar equivalents in cash. We used all of the net proceeds to redeem part of our outstanding 10.125% senior subordinated notes due 2009.

        On November 13, 2006, in conjunction with the offering of $200 million of the old 2014 notes, we also completed an offering of €400 million (approximately $508 million on or about the offering date; $525.1 million as of December 31, 2006) 6.875% senior subordinated notes due 2013. On March 1, 2007, we completed an additional offering of $147.0 million of old notes issued at a premium of 104% of the principal amount. The aggregate net proceeds received by us from the sale of the old 2014 notes and the sale of the euro-denominated 6.875% senior subordinated notes due 2013, after deducting the initial purchasers' discounts and commissions, were approximately $851 million in U.S. dollar equivalents. We used the net proceeds to redeem all of our outstanding dollar-denominated 10.125% senior subordinated notes due 2009.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table shows our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated (dollars in millions):

39

CAPITALIZATION

        The following table sets forth our cash and capitalization as of December 31, 2006. The information presented below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, "Use of Proceeds," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Selected Historical Financial Data" included in this prospectus and, in each case, any related notes thereto. We will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the new notes. In consideration for issuing the new notes as contemplated in this prospectus, we will receive in exchange old notes in like principal amount, which will be cancelled and as such will not result in any increase in our capitalization.

(1)

Excludes off-balance sheet financing associated with our accounts receivable securitization program of approximately $443.2 million in U.S. dollar equivalents in commercial paper issued by a non-consolidated special purpose entity.

40

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

        The selected financial data set forth below presents the historical financial data of our Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated.

        During 2005, we completed a series of transactions designed to simplify our consolidated group's financing and public reporting structure, to reduce our cost of financing and to facilitate other organizational efficiencies, including the following:

•

On August 16, 2005, we completed the Huntsman LLC Merger in which Huntsman LLC, another wholly-owned subsidiary of Huntsman Corporation, merged with and into us and we continued in existence as the surviving entity. At the same time, Huntsman International Holdings, our former parent, was also merged into our Company. Prior to the Affiliate Mergers, all of our membership interests were owned by Huntsman International Holdings, and Huntsman International Holdings was owned 58% by Huntsman Corporation and 42% by Huntsman LLC.



•

On December 20, 2005, Huntsman Corporation acquired all of the outstanding interests of Huntsman Advanced Materials that it did not already own and contributed all of the outstanding equity of Huntsman Advanced Materials to us in the Huntsman Advanced Materials Minority Interest Transaction. As a result, Huntsman Advanced Materials and its subsidiaries have become our subsidiaries. We did not pay any consideration to Huntsman Corporation in connection with the Huntsman Advanced Materials Minority Interest Transaction, other than the issuance of additional equity to Huntsman Corporation.

        The Affiliate Mergers and the Huntsman Advanced Materials Minority Interest Transaction were accounted for as an exchange of shares between entities under common control similar to the pooling method. Huntsman LLC and Huntsman Advanced Materials came under common control with us effective May 1, 2003 and June 30, 2003, respectively. Huntsman International Holdings and our Company have been under common control since our inception. The summary historical financial data presented herein reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows as if Huntsman International Holdings, Huntsman LLC, Huntsman Advanced Materials and our Company were combined for all periods for which they were under common control. As a result, the financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 is not comparable to the financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004.

        The summary financial and other data as of December 31, 2006 and 2005 and for each of three years in the period ended December 31, 2006 has been derived from the audited financial statements of our Company. The summary financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data," and "Selected

41

Historical Financial Data" included elsewhere in this prospectus and, in each case, any related notes thereto.

(1)

Income (loss) from discontinued operations represents the operating results and loss on disposal of our European base chemicals and polymers business and our TDI business. The European base chemicals and polymers business was sold on December 29, 2006 and the TDI business was sold on July 6, 2005.

(2)

During the fourth quarter of 2005, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Interpretation No. ("FIN") 47, "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations," and recorded a charge for the cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax, of $31.7 million. Also in the fourth quarter of 2005, we accelerated the date for actuarial measurement of our pension and postretirement benefit obligations from December 31 to November 30. The effect of the change in measurement date resulted in a cumulative effect of accounting change credit, net of tax, of $4.2 million.

(3)

On June 30, 2006, we completed the Textile Effects Acquisition. The extraordinary gain on the acquisition of a business represents the fair value of the net assets acquired in excess of the purchase price paid for the textile effects business, after the values of all long-lived assets were reduced to zero.

42

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA

        On February 15, 2007, we entered into the Pending U.S. Petrochemicals Disposition, pursuant to which Flint Hills Resources, a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch, will acquire our U.S. base chemicals and polymers business assets for approximately $456 million in cash, plus the value of inventory on the date of closing (approximately $286 million at December 31, 2006). We will retain other elements of working capital, including accounts receivables, accounts payable and certain accrued liabilities, which will be liquidated for cash in the ordinary course of business following the closing. Subject to customary regulatory approvals and other closing conditions, the transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2007, following the re-start of our Port Arthur, Texas, olefins manufacturing facility. For more information, see "Note 22. Casualty Losses and Insurance Recoveries—Port Arthur, Texas Plant Fire" to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

        The transaction includes our olefins and polymers manufacturing assets located at five U.S. sites: Port Arthur, Odessa and Longview, Texas; Peru, Illinois; and Marysville, Michigan. The business employs about 900 associates. The captive ethylene unit at our retained Port Neches, Texas, site of our Performance Products segment operations is not included in the sale. This asset, along with a long-term post-closing arrangement for the supply of ethylene and propylene from Flint Hills to us, will continue to provide feedstock for our downstream derivative units.

        As of December 31, 2006, these assets were classified as held and used in accordance with SFAS No. 144, Accounting for the impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, because these assets were not immediately available for sale in their present condition due to the required repair and restart of the Port Arthur facility. We expect to incur a loss in connection with the anticipated 2007 sale of our U.S. base chemicals and polymers business. We tested these assets for recoverability using expected future cash flows together with expected proceeds from the Port Arthur fire insurance recovery and concluded that these expected future cash flows were in excess of the carrying value of the business expected to be sold. Therefore, we did not recognize an impairment charge as of December 31, 2006. We will continue to assess these assets for recoverability during 2007. As the date of sale completion nears and insurance proceeds are received, future cash flows associated with these assets will diminish and, at some point in 2007, we expect that future cash flows will no longer be sufficient to recover the carrying value of the business to be sold, which will increase as we rebuild the plant, and we expect to recognize an impairment charge.

        On June 27, 2006, we sold the assets comprising our U.S. butadiene and MTBE business operated by our Base Chemicals segment. The results of operations of this business were not classified as discontinued operations under applicable accounting rules because of the expected continuing cash flows from the MTBE business we continue to operate in our Polyurethanes segment.

        On June 30, 2006, we acquired the textile effects business. The operating results of the textile effects business have been consolidated with our operating results beginning July 1, 2006.

        The following unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2006 gives effect to the Pending U.S. Petrochemical Disposition, the sale of our U.S. butadiene and MTBE business and the Textile Effects Acquisition as of these transactions occurred on January 1, 2006. The following unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of operations for the two years ended December 31, 2005 give effect to the Pending U.S. Petrochemical Disposition as if the sale occurred at the beginning of the period presented. The following unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2006 gives effect to the Pending U.S. Petrochemicals Disposition as if the sale transaction occurred on December 31, 2006.

        The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the financial position or results of operations of future periods or indicative of results that would have actually occurred had the transaction been completed as of the date thereof or as of the beginning of the periods presented

43

therein. The pro forma adjustments, as described in the accompanying notes to the pro forma consolidated balance sheet and statements of operations, are based upon available information and certain assumptions we believe are reasonable. The pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006
(Dollars in Millions)

(1)

Reflects the disposition of the U.S base chemicals and polymers business' operations as a result of the sale transaction.

(2)

Reflects the disposition of the U.S. butadiene and MTBE business' operations as a result of the sale transaction.

(3)

Reflects the operations of the textile effects business for periods prior to its acquisition.

44

(4)

No adjustments were made to income tax expense as we have a full valuation allowance on our net U.S. deferred tax assets.

NOTE: The above pro forma statement of operations does not reflect the preliminary loss on the transaction, net of taxes, of $166.6 million, or the reduction to interest expense resulting from the use of the sales proceeds.

45

HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005
(Dollars in Millions)

(1)

Reflects the disposition of the U.S base chemicals and polymers business operations as a result of the sale transaction.

(2)

Reflects the tax effect of the pro forma adjustments.

NOTE: The above pro forma statement of operations does not reflect the preliminary loss on the transaction, net of taxes, of $166.6 million, or the reduction to interest expense resulting from the use of the sales proceeds.

46

HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
(Dollar in Millions)

(1)

Reflects the disposition of the U.S base chemicals and polymers business' operations as a result of the sale transaction.

(2)

No adjustments were made to income tax expense as we have a full valuation allowance on our net U.S. deferred tax assets.

NOTE: The above pro forma statement of operations does not reflect the preliminary loss on the transaction, net of taxes, of $166.6 million, or the reduction to interest expense resulting from the use of the sales proceeds.

47

HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2006
(Dollars in Millions)

(1)

Reflects the net sale consideration, based on December 31, 2006 inventory values.

(2)

Reflects the disposition of the U.S. base chemicals and polymers business.

(3)

Reflects the accrual of liabilities associated with the sale transaction.

(4)

Reflects the preliminary loss on the sale transaction, net of taxes of nil.

48

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and other financial information appearing elsewhere in the prospectus, including "Prospectus Summary—Summary Historical Financial Data," "Capitalization" and "Selected Historical Financial Data."

OVERVIEW

        We are among the world's largest global manufacturers of differentiated chemical products; we also manufacture inorganic and commodity chemical products. Our products comprise a broad range of chemicals and formulations, which we market in more than 100 countries to a diversified group of consumer and industrial customers. Our products are used in a wide range of applications, including those in the adhesives, aerospace, automotive, construction products, durable and non-durable consumer products, electronics, medical, packaging, paints and coatings, power generation, refining, synthetic fiber, textile chemicals and dye industries. We are a leading global producer in many of our key product lines, including MDI, amines, surfactants, epoxy-based polymer formulations, textile chemicals, dyes, maleic anhydride and titanium dioxide. Our administrative, research and development and manufacturing operations are primarily conducted at the 75 facilities that we own or lease. Our facilities are located in 24 countries and we employ approximately 15,000 associates worldwide. Our businesses benefit from vertical integration, large production scale in certain products and proprietary manufacturing technologies, which allow us to maintain a low-cost position.

        Our business is organized around our six segments: Polyurethanes, Materials and Effects, Performance Products, Pigments, Polymers and Base Chemicals. These segments can be divided into three broad categories: differentiated, inorganic and commodity. Our Polyurethanes, Materials and Effects and Performance Products segments produce differentiated products, our Pigments segment produces inorganic products and our Polymers and Base Chemicals segments produce commodity chemicals.

        Growth in our Polyurethanes and Materials and Effects segments has been driven by the continued substitution of our products for other materials across a broad range of applications, as well as by the level of global economic activity. Historically, demand for many of these products has grown at rates in excess of GDP growth. In Polyurethanes, this growth, particularly in Asia, has recently resulted in improved demand and higher industry capacity utilization rates for many of our key products, including MDI.

        In our Performance Products segment, demand for our performance specialties has generally continued to grow at rates in excess of GDP as overall demand is significantly influenced by new product and application development. Overall demand for most of our performance intermediates has generally been stable or improving, but excess surfactant manufacturing capacity and a decline in the use of LAB in new detergent formulations have continued to keep margins under pressure. Ethylene glycol industry operating rates and profitability have declined since 2005 due to additional capacity coming on stream. Over time, demand for maleic anhydride has generally grown at rates that slightly exceed GDP growth. However, given its dependence on the UPR market, which is heavily influenced by construction end markets, maleic anhydride demand can be cyclical.

        Historically, demand for titanium dioxide pigments has grown at rates approximately equal to global GDP growth. Pigment prices have historically reflected industry-wide operating rates but have typically lagged behind movements in these rates by up to twelve months due to the effects of product stocking and destocking by customers and producers, contract arrangements and seasonality. The industry experiences some seasonality in its sales because sales of paints, the largest end use for

49

titanium dioxide, generally peak during the spring and summer months in the northern hemisphere. This results in greater sales volumes in the second and third quarters of the year.

        The profitability of our Polymers and Base Chemicals segments has historically been cyclical in nature. The industry has recently operated in an up cycle that resulted primarily from strong demand reflecting global economic conditions and the fact that there have been no recent capacity additions in our markets. However, volatile crude oil and natural gas-based raw materials costs and a recent weakening in demand could negatively impact the profitability of our Polymers and Base Chemicals segments. In addition, the profitability of our Base Chemicals segment has been negatively impacted in 2006 and will be negatively impacted in 2007 by the fire at our Port Arthur, Texas manufacturing plant. During 2006, we sold our U.S. butadiene and MTBE business and our European base chemicals and polymers business. On February 15, 2007, we announced the pending sale of our U.S. base chemicals and polymers business.

        For a discussion of recent developments affecting our Company, see "Business—Recent Developments" below.

OUTLOOK

        As we enter 2007, we continue to experience many positive trends across our businesses and the markets that we serve. Raw material and energy prices have declined, while at the same time, demand and selling prices for many of our products continue to improve. We anticipate that the earnings in our Polyurethanes, Materials and Effects and Performance Products segments—the differentiated segments that will remain following the expected completion of the Pending U.S. Petrochemicals Disposition—will be higher in the first quarter of 2007 as compared to the fourth quarter of 2006 and also will be higher for the full year 2007 as compared to the full year 2006. In Pigments, we are guardedly optimistic in our outlook for the upcoming spring paint season in light of the softness in demand that we experienced in the fourth quarter of 2006. We believe that higher earnings in our differentiated segments, together with substantially lower interest expense, will have a positive impact on our earnings in the coming quarters.

50

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The following table sets forth the condensed consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004 (dollars in millions):