06/18/2012

SHANGHAI, China - The innovative product Strodex™ FT428 surfactant for waterborne architectural coatings and emulsion polymerization from Ashland Specialty Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc., (NYSH: ASH) has garnered the company the Ringier Technology Innovation Award for coatings. It's the second consecutive year in which Ashland has received this award. The Ringier Award recognizes those companies which have made significant contributions to advancing China's coatings industry through technical innovation, increased productivity, economic efficiency and market development.

Strodex FT428 surfactant, developed this year, aims to improve freeze-thaw stability of paints. This product does not include alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) and can significantly eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs). With this special surfactant, the paint producer can lower or eliminate the glycol content in formulations, making the paints more environmentally friendly.

"We are very proud to be recognized two years in a row," said Nandu Dehkne, vice president, Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Asia Pacific. "Once again, it demonstrates Ashland's position as one of the specialty ingredients manufacturers proactively researching new and innovative product solutions. We will continue to launch new products and solutions in this very competitive marketplace."

Ashland Specialty Ingredients offers industry-leading products, technologies and resources for solving formulation and product performance challenges in key markets including personal care, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, coatings and energy. Using natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic polymers derived from plant and seed extract, cellulose ethers and vinyl pyrrolidones, Ashland Specialty Ingredients offers comprehensive and innovative solutions for today's demanding consumer and industrial applications.

Ashland Specialty Ingredients is the No. 1 global producer of cellulose ethers and a global leader in vinyl pyrrolidones. It offers industry-leading products, technologies and resources for solving formulation and product-performance challenges. Using natural, synthetic and semisynthetic polymers derived from plant and seed extract, cellulose ethers and vinyl pyrrolidones, Ashland Specialty Ingredients offers comprehensive and innovative solutions for today's demanding consumer and industrial applications. Key customers include pharmaceutical companies; makers of personal care products, food and beverages, and cosmetics; manufacturers of paint, coatings and construction materials; and oilfield service companies. See ashland.com for more information.

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, and water treatment. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our four commercial units - Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Consumer Markets.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Media Relations
Helen Pei
+86 21 2402-4863
bpei@ashland.com

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