Ashland announces membership in Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex)

SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland - Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) today announced its membership in the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to driving improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains. By joining with Sedex, which offers the largest collaborative platform for managing and sharing ethical supply chain data, Ashland underlines its commitment to ethical business practices.

As a Responsible Care company, Ashland has a longstanding commitment to product stewardship and environmental health and safety, as well as responsible and ethical business practices. As a leading supplier to many of the world's most ethical companies, Ashland is expected to document a high level of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with a goal to become a global leader in the area of ethical leadership.

With nearly 30,000 members, Sedex's mission is to drive collaboration, increase transparency and build the capacity needed to raise standards across all tiers of the supply chain. Using the Sedex secure and confidential online database, Ashland can share CSR-related information with customers who are also members of Sedex across a wide variety of business divisions.

About Ashland Water Technologies
Ashland Water Technologies is a leading global producer of papermaking chemicals and a leading specialty chemical supplier to the pulp, mining, food and beverage, paper, chemical processing, general manufacturing, institutional and municipal markets. Its process, utility and functional chemistries are used to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets and help ensure environmental compliance.

About Ashland
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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Gillian Davies
+44-151-424-5136
gedavies@ashland.com