EXHIBIT 10.12


                             AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENTS

                  AGREEMENT,  dated as of October 11, 2000 by and between Hexcel
Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation  (the  "Company")  and David  Tanonis (the
"Executive").

                  WHEREAS, the  Company  maintains  the  Hexcel  Corporation
Incentive Stock Plan (the "Plan") and the Hexcel Corporation Management Stock
Purchase Plan (the "MSPP"); and

                  WHEREAS,  the Company has granted to the  Executive  (1) under
the Plan, nonqualified options ("NQOs") to acquire shares of the common stock of
the Company (the "Common Stock"), performance accelerated stock options ("PASOs"
and,  together with the NQOs,  the  "Options") to acquire shares of Common Stock
and  contractual  rights  representing  the right to earn shares of Common Stock
under specified circumstances ("PARs") and (2) contractual rights under the MSPP
representing   the  right  to  earn  shares  of  Common  Stock  under  specified
circumstances  ("RSUs"),  in each case  evidenced  by written  award  agreements
entered into between the Company and the Executive (the "Award Agreements"); and

                  WHEREAS,  under the Award Agreements the Executive has certain
rights upon the occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined thereby); and

                  WHEREAS,  Ciba Specialty Chemicals Holding, Inc. ("Ciba SCH"),
Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc. ("Ciba SCI"), Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation
("Ciba  SCC" and  together  with Ciba SCH and Ciba  SCI,  "Ciba"),  LXH,  L.L.C.
("LXH") and LXH II, L.L.C.  ("LXH II" and together  with LXH, "the  Purchasers")
have entered into a Stock Purchase  Agreement  dated as of October 11, 2000 (the
"Stock  Purchase   Agreement")  pursuant  to  which,  among  other  things,  the
Purchasers will purchase from Ciba shares of Common Stock; and

                  WHEREAS,  the consummation (the "Closing") of the transactions
contemplated  by  the  Stock  Purchase  Agreement  (the   "Transactions")   will
constitute  a  Change  in  Control  under  the  Plan,  the  MSPP  and the  Award
Agreements; and

                  WHEREAS,  the Company  desires the  Executive to waive certain
rights under the Plan, the MSPP and the Award  Agreements and desires to provide
additional  incentives  to the  Executive  to  remain  employed  by the  Company
following the Closing.

                  NOW, THEREFORE,  the Company and the Executive hereby agree as
follows.

                  1. The consummation of the Transactions shall not constitute a
Change in Control for  purposes of the Plan,  the MSPP or the Award  Agreements,
notwithstanding anything therein to the contrary.

                  2. Each Award Agreement is hereby amended to incorporate a new
definition of the term Change in Control (and related definitions),  in the form
annexed hereto as Exhibit A.

                  3. Each Award  Agreement  pursuant to which  Options have been
granted is hereby  amended to provide  that each  Option that is unvested at the
Closing will vest and become  exercisable  on the earliest to occur of (i) as to
50% of the shares subject thereto,  on the 1st anniversary of the Closing and as
to the remaining 50% of the shares subject  thereto,  on the 2nd  anniversary of
the  Closing,  (ii) the  Executive's  termination  of  employment  due to death,
Disability (as defined in Exhibit B hereto),  termination by the Company without
Cause (as defined in Exhibit B hereto) or by the  Executive  for Good Reason (as
defined in Exhibit B hereto) or (iii) the  occurrence of a Change in Control (as
defined in Exhibit A hereto).

                  4.  Each  Award  Agreement  pursuant  to which  PARs have been
granted is hereby  amended to provide  that each PAR subject  thereto  will vest
and,  without  being  subject to the  existing  limitations  relating to Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,  the underlying  shares
will be  distributed on the  earliest to occur of (i) as to 50% of the shares
subject  thereto,  on the 1st anniversary of the Closing and as to the remaining
50% of the shares subject thereto,  on the 2nd anniversary of the Closing,  (ii)
the Executive's termination of employment due to death, Disability,  termination
by the Company  without  Cause or by the  Executive for Good Reason or (iii) the
occurrence of a Change in Control (as defined in Exhibit A hereto).

                  5.  Each  Award  Agreement  pursuant  to which  RSUs have been
granted is hereby amended to provide that each RSU subject thereto will vest and
the underlying  shares will be distributed on the earliest to occur of (i) as to
50% of the shares subject thereto,  on the 1st anniversary of the Closing and as
to the remaining 50% of the shares subject  thereto,  on the 2nd  anniversary of
the  Closing,  (ii) the  Executive's  termination  of  employment  due to death,
Disability,  termination  by the Company  without  Cause or by the Executive for
Good  Reason or (iii) the  occurrence  of a Change in  Control  (as  defined  in
Exhibit A hereto).

                  6. Except as otherwise  expressly  provided herein,  the Award
Agreements shall remain in effect in accordance with their respective terms.

                  7.  Effective as of the date on which the Closing  occurs (the
"Closing  Date"),  the Company shall grant to the  Executive  options to acquire
13,540  shares of Common Stock.  Such options shall be at an exercise  price per
share equal to the greater of (a) the fair market value (as defined in the Plan)
of a share of Common Stock on the Closing  Date or (b) $11, and shall  otherwise
be made pursuant to the form of Stock Option Agreement annexed hereto as Exhibit
C. The Company  agrees that such grant shall not be in lieu of, or  otherwise be
taken into  account in  determining the size or terms of, the annual long term
incentive grant to the Executive for the 2001 or other fiscal year.

                  8. For purposes of this Agreement,  notices,  demands, and all
other  communications  provided for  hereunder  shall be in writing and shall be
deemed  to have  been  duly  given  when hand  delivered  or  (unless  otherwise
specified)  when  mailed  by  United  States  certified  mail,   return  receipt
requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

                  To the Executive at the address shown in the personnel records
                  of the Company

                  To the Company at:

                  Hexcel Corporation
                  Two Stamford Plaza
                  281 Tresser Boulevard
                  Stamford Connecticut 06901-3238

                  Att'n:

or to such other  address  as either  party may have  furnished  to the other in
writing in accordance  herewith,  except that notices of change of address shall
be effective only upon receipt.

                  9. The invalidity or  unenforceability of any provision hereof
shall not  affect  the other  provisions  hereof,  and this  Agreement  shall be
construed in all respects as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had been
omitted.

                  10. No change, modification or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement shall be valid unless the same be in writing and signed by the parties
hereto.

                  11. This Agreement  contains the entire  understanding  of the
parties  hereto with respect to the subject  matter  hereof and  supersedes  all
prior communications, representations and negotiations in respect thereto.

                  12. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and
enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware,  without regard
to its conflicts of law rules.

                  13. This  Agreement may be executed in  counterparts,  each of
which  shall  be  deemed  to be an  original  but all of  which  together  shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

                  14. This  agreement  shall become  effective upon the Closing,
and shall be null and void and of no effect if the Closing does not occur.

                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date and year first written above.

                                            HEXCEL CORPORATION


                                            By: /s/ Ira J. Krakower
                                                Name:   Ira J. Krakower
                                                Title:  Senior Vice President


                                               /s/ David Tanonis
                                                   David Tanonis





                                                                       EXHIBIT A

Affiliate of any Person shall mean any other Person that directly or indirectly,
through one or more  intermediaries,  Controls,  is  Controlled  by, or is under
common Control with, such first Person. Control shall have the meaning specified
in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on the date
of this Agreement.

Beneficial Owner shall have the meaning used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act.

Change in Control means:

(i) any Person is or becomes the Beneficial  Owner,  directly or indirectly,  of
40% or more of either (x) the then outstanding  common stock of the Company (the
"Outstanding  Common  Stock") or (y) the  combined  voting  power of the then
outstanding  securities  entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
of the Company (the "Total Voting Power"), excluding, however, the following (1)
any  acquisition  by the Company or any of its  Controlled  Affiliates,  (2) any
acquisition  by any  employee  benefit  plan (or  related  trust)  sponsored  or
maintained by the Company or any of its Controlled Affiliates and (3) any Person
who becomes such a Beneficial  Owner in connection with a transaction  described
in the exclusion within clause (iii) below; or

(ii) a change in the composition of the Board such that the individuals  who, on
the date hereof,  constitute  the Board (such  individuals  shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Incumbent  Directors") cease for any reason to constitute at
least  a  majority  of the  Board;  provided,  however,  for  purposes  of  this
definition  that any individual  who becomes a director  subsequent to such date
whose election,  or nomination for election by the Company's  stockholders,  was
made or approved pursuant to the Governance Agreement or by a vote of at least a
majority of the Incumbent  Directors (or directors  whose election or nomination
for election was  previously  so approved)  shall be  considered a member of the
Incumbent Board; but, provided,  further, that any such individual whose initial
assumption  of office  occurs  as a result  of  either  an actual or  threatened
election  contest  (as such  terms  are used in Rule  14a-11 of  Regulation  14A
promulgated  under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened  solicitation
of proxies or  consents by or on behalf of a person or legal  entity  other than
the Board shall not be considered a member of the Incumbent Board; or

(iii)  there is  consummated  a merger or  consolidation  of the  Company or any
direct or indirect  subsidiary of the Company or a sale or other  disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company ("Corporate Transaction");
excluding, however, such a Corporate Transaction pursuant to  which  (x) all  or
substantially all of the individuals and entities who are the Beneficial Owners,
respectively,  of the  Outstanding  Common  Stock and the Total  Voting  Power
immediately prior to such Corporate  Transaction will Beneficially Own, directly
or indirectly,  more than 50%, respectively,  of the outstanding  common stock
and the combined voting power of the  outstanding  common stock and the combined
voting power of the then  outstanding  securities  entitled to vote generally in
the  election  of  directors  of  the  company  resulting  from  such  Corporate
Transaction (including,  without limitation, a corporation which as a result of
such transaction  owns the Company or all or substantially  all of the Company's
assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the
same  proportions  as  their  ownership  immediately  prior  to  such  Corporate
Transaction of the Outstanding  Common Stock and Total Voting Power, as the case
may be, and (y)  immediately  following  which the  individuals who comprise the
Board immediately  prior thereto  constitute at least a majority of the board of
directors of the company resulting from such Corporate  Transaction  (including,
without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the
Company or all or  substantially  all of the Company's assets either directly or
through one or more subsidiaries); or

(iv) the approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation
or dissolution of the Company.

Exchange Act shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Governance Agreement shall mean the Governance Agreement, dated [          ],
2000, among  LXH, L.L.C., LXH II, L.L.C., Hexcel  Corporation  and  the other
parties listed on the signature pages thereto.

Person shall have the meaning set forth in Section  3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act,
as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act.







                                                                       EXHIBIT B

"Cause"  shall mean (A) the willful  and  continued  failure by the  Optionee to
substantially perform the Optionee's  duties with the  Corporation  (other than
any such failure  resulting  from the  Optionee's  incapacity due to physical or
mental illness or any such actual or anticipated failure after the issuance of a
Notice of  Termination  by the  Executive  for Good  Reason)  after  demand  for
substantial  performance is delivered to the Optionee by the  Corporation,  that
specifically  identifies the manner in which the  Corporation  believes that the
Optionee has not  substantially  performed  the  Optionee's  duties,  or (B) the
willful  engaging  by the  Optionee  in  misconduct  that  is  demonstrably  and
materially injurious to the Corporation,  monetarily or otherwise including, but
not limited to conduct that violates any written noncompetition covenant between
the Optionee and the  Corporation.  No act, or failure to act, on the Optionee's
part shall be deemed  "willful"  unless  done,  or  omitted  to be done,  by the
Optionee  not in good faith and without  reasonable  belief that the  Optionee's
action or omission was in the best interest of the Corporation.  Notwithstanding
the  foregoing,  the Optionee  shall not be deemed to have been  terminated  for
Cause without (i) reasonable notice from the Board to the Optionee setting forth
the  reasons  for the  Corporation's  intention  to  terminate  for Cause,  (ii)
delivery to the Optionee of a resolution  duly adopted by the  affirmative  vote
two-thirds or more of the Board then in office  (excluding the Optionee if he is
then a member of the Board) at a meeting  of the Board  called and held for such
purpose,  finding that in the good faith opinion of the Board,  the Optionee was
guilty of conduct  herein set forth and specifying  the  particulars  thereof in
detail, (iii) an opportunity for the Optionee,  together with his counsel, to be
heard  before  the  Board,  and (iv)  delivery  to the  Optionee  of a Notice of
Termination from the Board specifying the particulars in detail.

"Disability"  shall mean that, as a result of the  Optionee's  incapacity due to
physical or mental illness or injury,  he or she shall not have performed all or
substantially  all of his or her usual duties as an employee of the  Corporation
for a  period  of  more  than  one-hundred-fifty  (150)  days in any  period  of
one-hundred-eighty (180) consecutive days.

"Good Reason" for termination by the Optionee of the Optionee's employment shall
mean:

         (a) A diminution in the Optionee's position,  duties,  responsibilities
         or authority  (except  during  periods when the  Executive is unable to
         perform  all or  substantially  all of his duties on account of illness
         (either physical or mental) or other incapacity;

         (b) A reduction  in  the  Optionee's  annual rate of base salary as in
         effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to
         time;

         (c) Failure by the  Corporation to continue in effect any  compensation
         plan in  which  the  Optionee  participates  which is  material  to the
         Optionee's  total   compensation,   unless  an  equitable   arrangement
         (embodied in an ongoing  substitute plan) has been made with respect to
         such plan,  or failure by the  Corporation  to continue the  Optionee's
         participation  therein  (or in such  substitute  plan)  on a basis  not
         materially less favorable to the Optionee;

         (d) Failure by the Corporation to continue to provide the Optionee with
         benefits  substantially  similar to those enjoyed by the Optionee under
         any of the Corporation's  pension,  savings,  life insurance,  medical,
         health and  accident,  or  disability  plans in which the  Optionee was
         participating (except for across-the-board  changes similarly affecting
         all senior  executives of the Corporation and all senior  executives of
         any  Person  in  control  of  the  Corporation),   or  failure  by  the
         Corporation to continue to provide the Optionee with the number of paid
         vacation  days per year equal to the greater 4 weeks and (b) the number
         to which the Optionee is entitled in accordance with the  Corporation's
         vacation policy;

         (e) Failure to provide facilities or services which are suitable to the
         Optionee 's position;

         (f) Failure of any successor  (whether direct or indirect,  by purchase
         of  stock  or  assets,  merger,  consolidation  or  otherwise)  to  the
         Corporation  to  assume  the  Corporation's  obligations  hereunder  or
         failure by the  Corporation to remain liable to the Optionee  hereunder
         after such assumption;

         (g) Any  termination by the  Corporation  of the Optionee's  employment
         which is not effected  pursuant to a Notice of  Termination  satisfying
         the  requirements  of  a  Notice  of  Termination   contained  in  this
         Agreement;

         (h) The relocation of the Optionee's principal place of employment to a
         location more than fifty (50) miles from the Optionee's principal place
         of employment as of the date hereof; or

         (i)  Failure to pay the  Optionee  any  portion of current or  deferred
         compensation  within  seven (7) days of the date such  compensation  is
         due.

The Optionee's  continued  employment shall not constitute consent to, or waiver
of rights with respect to, any circumstance  constituting Good Reason hereunder;
provided,  however,  that the Optionee shall be deemed to have waived his rights
pursuant to  circumstances  constituting  Good Reason  hereunder if he shall not
have provided the  Corporation a Notice of  Termination  within ninety (90) days
following his knowledge of the  occurrence of  circumstances  constituting  Good
Reason.

"Notice of  Termination"  shall mean a notice which shall  indicate the specific
termination  provision  in this  Agreement  relied  upon and  shall set forth in
reasonable  detail  the facts and  circumstances  claimed to provide a basis for
termination of the Optionee's employment under the provision so indicated.






                                                                       EXHIBIT C

                            EMPLOYEE OPTION AGREEMENT
                                (October , 2000)


     EMPLOYEE OPTION  AGREEMENT,  dated as of the Grant Date, by and between the
Optionee and Hexcel Corporation (the "Corporation").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:


     WHEREAS, the Corporation has adopted the Hexcel Corporation Incentive Stock
Plan (the "Plan"); and

     WHEREAS,  the Executive  Compensation  Committee (the  "Committee")  of the
Board of Directors of the  Corporation  (the "Board") has determined  that it is
desirable and in the best interest of the Corporation to grant to the Optionee a
stock  option as an incentive  for the Optionee to advance the  interests of the
Corporation;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

1.   Notice  of Grant;  Incorporation  of Plan.  A Notice  of Grant is  attached
     hereto as Annex A and  incorporated by reference  herein.  Unless otherwise
     provided herein, capitalized terms used herein and set forth in such Notice
     of Grant  shall have the  meanings  ascribed to them in the Notice of Grant
     and capitalized  terms used herein and set forth in the Plan shall have the
     meanings  ascribed  to them  in the  Plan.  The  Plan  is  incorporated  by
     reference  and  made a part of this  Employee  Option  Agreement,  and this
     Employee Option Agreement shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, as the
     Plan may be amended from time to time,  provided that any such amendment of
     the Plan must be made in accordance  with Section X of the Plan. The Option
     granted herein constitutes an Award within the meaning of the Plan.

2.   Grant of  Option.  Pursuant  to the  Plan  and  subject  to the  terms  and
     conditions set forth herein and therein,  the Corporation  hereby grants to
     the  Optionee  the right and option (the  "Option")  to purchase all or any
     part of the Option Shares of the Corporation's common stock, $.01 par value
     per share (the "Common Stock"),  which Option is not intended to qualify as
     an incentive stock option, as defined  in  Section  422  of  the Internal
     Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

3.   Purchase Price.  The purchase price per share of the Option Shares shall be
     the Purchase Price.

4.   Term of Option.

     (a)  Expiration Date; Term. Subject to Section 4(c) below, the Option shall
          expire on,  and shall no longer be  exercisable  following,  the tenth
          anniversary of the Grant Date. The ten-year period from the Grant Date
          to its tenth anniversary shall constitute the "Term" of the Option.

     (b)  Vesting  Period;  Exercisability.  Subject to Section 4(c) below,  the
          Option shall vest and become exercisable at the rate of 33-1/3% of the
          Option  Shares on each of the first three  anniversaries  of the Grant
          Date.

     (c)  Termination of Employment; Change in Control.

          (i)  For purposes of the grant  hereunder,  any transfer of employment
               by the Optionee among the Corporation and the Subsidiaries  shall
               not be  considered a  termination  of  employment.  Except as set
               forth below in this Section 4(c)(i), if the Optionee's employment
               with the  Corporation  shall  terminate  for any reason,  (a) the
               Option (to the extent then  vested) may be  exercised at any time
               within  ninety (90) days after such  termination  (but not beyond
               the Term of the  Option)  and (b) the  Option,  to the extent not
               then  vested,  shall  immediately  expire upon such  termination.
               Notwithstanding the foregoing,  (a) if the Optionee's  employment
               with the  Corporation  is terminated for Cause (as defined in the
               last  Section  hereof),  the Option,  whether or not then vested,
               shall  be  automatically  terminated  as  of  the  date  of  such
               termination  of  employment  and (b) if the  Optionee  dies or is
               disabled (A) while  employed by the  Corporation or (B) within 90
               days after the termination of his or her employment (other than a
               termination described in clause (a) of this sentence), the Option
               may be exercised at any time within 365 days after the Optionee's
               death or  disability  (but not beyond the Term of the Option).

          (ii) If the  Optionee's  employment  terminates  by  reason  of death,
               Disability,  the termination of the Optionee's  employment by the
               Company  other  than  for  Cause,   or  the  termination  of  the
               Optionee's employment by the Optionee for Good Reason, the Option
               shall become fully and immediately vested and exercisable. In the
               event of a Change in  Control  (as  defined  in the last  Section
               hereof),  the Option  shall  immediately  become fully vested and
               exercisable.

5.   Adjustment Upon Changes in Capitalization.

     (a)  The aggregate  number of Option Shares and the Purchase Price shall be
          appropriately  adjusted by the Committee for any increase or decrease
          in the  number of  issued  shares of  Common  Stock  resulting  from a
          subdivision or consolidation of shares or other capital adjustment, or
          the payment of a stock  dividend or other increase or decrease in such
          shares,  effected without receipt of consideration by the Corporation,
          or other change in corporate or capital structure. The Committee shall
          also  make the  foregoing  changes  and any other  changes,  including
          changes  in  the  classes  of  securities  available,  to  the  extent
          reasonably  necessary or  desirable to preserve the intended  benefits
          under  this  Employee  Option  Agreement  in the  event  of any  other
          reorganization,  recapitalization,  merger,  consolidation,  spin-off,
          extraordinary  dividend or other  distribution or similar  transaction
          involving the Corporation.

     (b)  Any adjustment under this Section 5 in the number of Option Shares and
          the Purchase Price shall apply to only the unexercised  portion of the
          Option. If fractions of a share would result from any such adjustment,
          the  adjustment  shall be rounded down to the nearest  whole number of
          shares.

6.   Method of Exercising Option and Withholding.

     (a)  The Option  shall be  exercised by the delivery by the Optionee to the
          Corporation  at its principal  office (or at such other address as may
          be established by the Committee) of written notice of the number of
          Option   Shares  with  respect  to  which  the  Option  is  exercised,
          accompanied  by payment in full of the  aggregate  Purchase  Price for
          such Option  Shares.  Payment for such Option Shares shall be made (i)
          in U.S.  dollars by personal check,  bank draft or money order payable
          to the  order of the  Corporation,  or by money  transfers  or  direct
          account  debits to an  account  designated  by the  Corporation;  (ii)
          through  the  delivery  of shares of Common  Stock with a Fair  Market
          Value equal to the total payment due from the Optionee; (iii) pursuant
          to a "cashless  exercise"  program if such a program is established by
          the Corporation;  or (iv) by any combination of the methods  described
          in (i) through (iii) above.

     (b)  The  Corporation's  obligation to deliver  shares of Common Stock upon
          the  exercise  of the Option  shall be  subject to the  payment by the
          Optionee of applicable  federal,  state and local  withholding tax, if
          any. The Corporation  shall, to the extent  permitted by law, have the
          right to deduct  from any  payment  of any kind  otherwise  due to the
          Optionee  any  federal,  state or local taxes  required to be withheld
          with respect to such payment.

7.   Transfer. The Option is not transferable otherwise than by will or the laws
     of descent and  distribution,  and the Option may be  exercised  during the
     Optionee's  lifetime  only by the  Optionee.  Any attempt to  transfer  the
     Option in  contravention  of this  Section 7 is void ab initio.  The Option
     shall not be subject to execution, attachment or other process.

8.   No Rights in Option Shares. The Optionee shall have none of the rights of a
     stockholder  with respect to the Option  Shares  unless and until shares of
     Common Stock are issued upon exercise of the Option.

9.   No Right to Employment.  Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to confer
     upon the Optionee any right to remain as an employee of the Corporation.

10.  Governing  Law/Jurisdiction.   This  Employee  Option  Agreement  shall  be
     governed  by and  construed  in  accordance  with the laws of the  State of
     Delaware without reference to principles of conflict of laws.

11.  Resolution of Disputes.  Any disputes  arising under or in connection  with
     this Employee  Option  Agreement  shall be resolved by binding  arbitration
     before a single  arbitrator,  to be held in New York in accordance with the
     commercial  rules and procedures of the American  Arbitration  Association.
     Judgment  upon the  award  rendered  by the  arbitrator  shall be final and
     subject to appeal  only to the extent  permitted  by law.  Each party shall
     bear such party's own expenses incurred in connection with any arbitration;
     provided,  however,  that the cost of the  arbitration,  including  without
     limitation,  reasonable attorneys' fees of the Optionee,  shall be borne by
     the  Corporation in the event the Optionee is the  prevailing  party in the
     arbitration.  Anything to the contrary  notwithstanding,  each party hereto
     has the right to  proceed  with a court  action  for  injunctive  relief or
     relief from violations of law not within the jurisdiction of an arbitrator.

12.  Notices.  Any notice  required  or  permitted  under this  Employee  Option
     Agreement  shall  be  deemed  given  when  delivered  personally,  or  when
     deposited in a United States Post Office,  postage prepaid,  addressed,  as
     appropriate,  to the Optionee at the last address  specified in  Optionee's
     employment  records, or such other address as the Optionee may designate in
     writing to the  Corporation,  or to the Corporation,  Attention:  Corporate
     Secretary,  or such  other  address as the  Corporation  may  designate  in
     writing to the Optionee.

13.  Failure To Enforce  Not a Waiver.  The  failure of either  party  hereto to
     enforce at any time any provision of this Employee  Option  Agreement shall
     in no way be  construed  to be a waiver of such  provision  or of any other
     provision hereof.

14.  Counterparts. This Employee Option Agreement may be executed in two or more
     counterparts,  each of which shall be an original but all of which together
     shall represent one and the same agreement.

15.  Miscellaneous.   This  Employee  Option  Agreement  cannot  be  changed  or
     terminated orally.  This Employee Option Agreement and the Plan contain the
     entire agreement between the parties relating to the subject matter hereof.
     The section  headings  herein are intended for reference only and shall not
     affect the interpretation hereof.

16.  Definitions. For purposes of this Employee Option Agreement:

          (I) the term  "Affiliate"  of any Person  shall mean any other  Person
          that  directly  or  indirectly,  through  one or more  intermediaries,
          Controls,  is Controlled  by, or is under common  Control  with,  such
          first Person.  The term "Control" shall have the meaning  specified in
          Rule 12b-2 under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on
          the date of this Agreement;

          (II) the term  "Beneficial  Owner" shall have the meaning used in Rule
          13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act;

          (III)  the term  "Cause"  shall  mean (A) the  willful  and  continued
          failure by the Optionee to substantially perform the Optionee's duties
          with the Corporation  (other than any such failure  resulting from the
          Optionee's  incapacity  due to physical or mental  illness or any such
          actual  or  anticipated  failure  after  the  issuance  of a Notice of
          Termination  by the  Executive  for  Good  Reason)  after  demand  for
          substantial   performance   is   delivered  to  the  Optionee  by  the
          Corporation,  that  specifically  identifies  the  manner in which the
          Corporation believes that the Optionee has not substantially performed
          the Optionee's  duties, or (B) the willful engaging by the Optionee in
          misconduct  that  is  demonstrably  and  materially  injurious  to the
          Corporation,  monetarily  or otherwise  including,  but not limited to
          conduct that violates any written noncompetition  covenant between the
          Optionee  and the  Corporation.  No act,  or  failure  to act,  on the
          Optionee's part shall be deemed  "willful"  unless done, or omitted to
          be done,  by the  Optionee  not in good faith and  without  reasonable
          belief that the Optionee's action or omission was in the best interest
          of the Corporation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee shall
          not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause without (i) reasonable
          notice from the Board to the  Optionee  setting  forth the reasons for
          the Corporation's  intention to terminate for Cause,  (ii) delivery to
          the Optionee of a resolution duly  adopted  by  the  affirmative  vote
          two-thirds or more of the Board then in office (excluding the Optionee
          if he is then a member of the Board) at a meeting of the Board  called
          and held for such  purpose,  finding that in the good faith opinion of
          the Board,  the  Optionee  was guilty of conduct  herein set forth and
          specifying the particulars thereof in detail, (iii) an opportunity for
          the Optionee, together with his counsel, to be heard before the Board,
          and (iv) delivery to the Optionee of a Notice of Termination  from the
          Board specifying the particulars in detail.

          (IV) the term  "Change in  Control"  shall  mean any of the  following
          events:

          (1)  any  Person is or  becomes  the  Beneficial  Owner,  directly  or
               indirectly,  of 40% or more of  either  (x) the then  outstanding
               common stock of the Company (the  "Outstanding  Common Stock") or
               (y) the combined voting power of the then outstanding  securities
               entitled to vote  generally  in the  election of directors of the
               Company  (the "Total  Voting  Power"),  excluding,  however,  the
               following  (1)  any  acquisition  by  the  Company  or any of its
               Controlled  Affiliates,  (2)  any  acquisition  by  any  employee
               benefit plan (or related  trust)  sponsored or  maintained by the
               Company or any of its  Controlled  Affiliates  and (3) any Person
               who  becomes  such  a  Beneficial  Owner  in  connection  with  a
               transaction  described in the exception  within clause (3) below;
               or

          (2)  a  change  in  the   composition  of  the  Board  such  that  the
               individuals  who, on the date hereof,  constitute the Board (such
               individuals  shall be  hereinafter  referred to as the "Incumbent
               Directors")  cease  for  any  reason  to  constitute  at  least a
               majority of the Board; provided, however, for purposes of this
               definition  that any  individual  who  becomes  a  director
               subsequent  to  such  date  whose  election,  or  nomination  for
               election  by the  Company's  stockholders,  was made or  approved
               pursuant to the  Governance  Agreement or by a vote of at least a
               majority of the Incumbent  Directors (or directors whose election
               or nomination for election was  previously so approved)  shall be
               considered  a  member  of the  Incumbent  Board;  but,  provided,
               further,  that any such  individual  whose initial  assumption of
               office  occurs as a result  of  either  an  actual or  threatened
               election  contest  (as  such  terms  are used in Rule  14a-11  of
               Regulation  14A  promulgated  under  the  Exchange  Act) or other
               actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on
               be half of a person or legal  entity  other than the Board  shall
               not be considered a member of the Incumbent Board; or

          (3)  there is consummated a merger or  consolidation of the Company or
               any direct or  indirect  subsidiary  of the  Company or a sale or
               other  disposition of all or  substantially  all of the assets of
               the Company ("Corporate Transaction"); excluding, however, such a
               Corporate  Transaction pursuant to which (x) all or substantially
               all of the  individuals  and  entities  who  are  the  Beneficial
               Owners,  respectively,  of the  Outstanding  Common Stock and the
               Total  Voting   Power   immediately   prior  to  such   Corporate
               Transaction will Beneficially  Own, directly or indirectly,  more
               than 50%,  respectively,  of the outstanding common stock and the
               combined  voting  power of the  outstanding  common stock and the
               combined voting power of the then outstanding securities entitled
               to vote generally in the election  of  directors of  the  company
               resulting  from  such Corporate  Transaction  (including, without
               limitation, a corporation which  as a result of such  transaction
               owns the Company  or all or  substantially  all of the  Company's
               assets either  directly or through one or more subsidiaries)  in
               substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately
               prior to such  Corporate  Transaction of the  Outstanding  Common
               Stock  and  Total  Voting  Power,  as the  case  may be,  and (y)
               immediately  following  which the  individuals  who  comprise the
               Board immediately prior thereto constitute at least a majority of
               the  board  of  directors  of the  company  resulting  from  such
               Corporate   Transaction   (including,   without   limitation,   a
               corporation  which  as a  result  of such  transaction  owns  the
               Company  or all or  substantially  all  of the  Company's  assets
               either directly or through one or more subsidiaries); or

          (4)  the  approval  by the  stockholders  of the Company of a complete
               liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

          (V) the term "Disability (or becoming Disabled)" shall mean that, as a
          result of the Optionee's  incapacity due to physical or mental illness
          or injury, he or she shall not have performed all or substantially all
          of his or her usual  duties as an  employee of the  Corporation  for a
          period  of more than  one-hundred-fifty  (150)  days in any  period of
          one-hundred-eighty (180) consecutive days;

          (VI) the term "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
          1934, as amended from time to time;

          (VII) the term "Good  Reason" for  termination  by the Optionee of the
          Optionee's employment shall mean:

          (1)  A diminution in the Optionee's position, duties, responsibilities
               or authority  (except during periods when the Executive is unable
               to perform all or  substantially  all of his duties on account of
               illness (either physical or mental) or other incapacity;

          (2)  A reduction  in the  Optionee's  annual rate of base salary as in
               effect on the date  hereof or as the same may be  increased  from
               time to time;

          (3)  Failure by the Corporation to continue in effect any compensation
               plan in which the Optionee  participates which is material to the
               Optionee's total  compensation,  unless an equitable  arrangement
               (embodied  in an  ongoing  substitute  plan)  has been  made with
               respect to such plan, or failure by the  Corporation  to continue
               the Optionee's participation therein (or in such substitute plan)
               on a basis not materially less favorable to the Optionee;

          (4)  Failure by the  Corporation  to continue to provide the  Optionee
               with  benefits  substantially  similar  to those  enjoyed  by the
               Optionee under any of the Corporation's  pension,  savings,  life
               insurance,  medical,  health and accident, or disability plans in
               which the Optionee was participating (except for across-the-board
               changes   similarly   affecting  all  senior  executives  of  the
               Corporation and all senior executives of any Person in control of
               the  Corporation),  or failure by the  Corporation to continue to
               provide the Optionee  with the number of paid  vacation  days per
               year equal to the greater 4 weeks and (b) the number to which the
               Optionee  is  entitled  in  accordance  with  the Corporation's
               vacation policy;

          (5)  Failure to provide  facilities or services  which are suitable to
               the Optionee's position;

          (6)  Failure of any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase
               of stock or assets,  merger,  consolidation  or otherwise) to the
               Corporation to assume the Corporation's  obligations hereunder or
               failure  by the  Corporation  to remain  liable  to the  Optionee
               hereunder after such assumption;

          (7)  Any termination by the  Corporation of the Optionee's  employment
               which  is  not  effected  pursuant  to a  Notice  of  Termination
               satisfying the requirements of a Notice of Termination  contained
               in this Agreement;

          (8)  the relocation of the Optionee's principal place of employment to
               a  location  more  than  fifty  (50)  miles  from the  Optionee's
               principal place of employment as of the date hereof; or

          (9)  Failure to pay the  Optionee  any  portion of current or deferred
               compensation  within seven (7) days of the date such compensation
               is due.

         The Optionee's continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or
         waiver of rights with respect to, any  circumstance  constituting  Good
         Reason hereunder;  provided, however, that the Optionee shall be deemed
         to have waived his rights pursuant to circumstances  constituting  Good
         Reason hereunder if he shall not have provided the Corporation a Notice
         of  Termination  within ninety (90) days following his knowledge of the
         occurrence of circumstances constituting Good Reason;

          (VIII)  the term  "Governance  Agreement"  shall  mean the  Governance
          Agreement,  dated [ ], 2000, among LXH, L.L.C., LXH II, L.L.C., Hexcel
          Corporation  and the  other  parties  listed  on the  signature  pages
          thereto;

          (IX) the term "Person" shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9)
          of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections  13(d) and 14(d)
          of the Exchange Act; and

          (X) the term "Notice of  Termination"  shall mean a notice which shall
          indicate the specific  termination  provision in this Agreement relied
          upon  and  shall  set  forth  in  reasonable   detail  the  facts  and
          circumstances  claimed  to  provide  a basis  for  termination  of the
          Optionee's employment under the provision so indicated.






                                     Annex A


                                 NOTICE OF GRANT
                              EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION
                     HEXCEL CORPORATION INCENTIVE STOCK PLAN

         The following employee of Hexcel  Corporation,  a Delaware  corporation
("Hexcel") or a Subsidiary, has been granted an option to purchase shares of the
Common Stock of Hexcel,  $.01 par value,  in  accordance  with the terms of this
Notice of Grant and the Employee Option  Agreement to which this Notice of Grant
is attached.

         The following is a summary of the  principal  terms of the option which
has been granted. The terms below shall have the meanings ascribed to them below
when used in the Employee Option Agreement.


Optionee
- --------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------
Address of Optionee
- --------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------
Employee Number
- --------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------
Employee ID Number
- --------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------
Foreign Sub Plan, if applicable
- --------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------
Grant Date
- --------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------
Purchase Price
- --------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------
Aggregate Number of Shares
Granted (the "Option Shares")
- --------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereby  agree to the terms of this
Notice of Grant and the Employee Option  Agreement to which this Notice of Grant
is attached and execute this Notice of Grant and Employee Option Agreement as of
the Grant Date.

                                                     HEXCEL CORPORATION
Optionee
                                                     By:

                                                           Ira J. Krakower
                                                           Senior Vice President