Ashland celebrates opening of new global R&D labs and personal care center of excellence in Bridgewater, NJ

Ashland celebrates opening of new global R&D labs and personal care center of excellence in Bridgewater, NJ

BRIDGEWATER, NJ - Ashland Specialty Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), today joined New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno at the celebration of a new 200,000-square-foot global R&D labs, personal care center of excellence and office facility in Bridgewater.

In March 2013, Ashland announced plans to relocate its Specialty Ingredients global research and development team, along with several other functions, from an existing campus in Wayne, NJ. The majority of nearly 300 employees in Wayne moved to Bridgewater last year.

"We appreciate the tremendous support shown by Lt. Gov. Guadagno and the Christie Administration as Ashland evaluated potential sites for the relocation," said Luis Fernandez-Moreno, president of Ashland Specialty Ingredients. "The Bridgewater site is close to many of our largest customers, especially in the pharmaceutical and personal care markets. Throughout the relocation process, the state of New Jersey has demonstrated its sincere commitment to working with Ashland as we position our business for future growth."

"Ashland's decision to keep a large research and development hub in New Jersey clearly demonstrates that the Garden State is the ideal location for business. With our highly skilled and educated workforce, coupled with the fact some of the world's largest pharmaceutical leaders are based within our state, New Jersey is solidly positioned to complement chemical manufacturing and science companies," said Lt. Governor Guadagno. "The Christie Administration is thrilled that Ashland Specialty Ingredients will continue to call New Jersey home for its global research labs and personal care center of excellence as they work toward shaping the future of specialty chemicals."

About Ashland Specialty Ingredients
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.

About Ashland Inc.
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 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:
Media Relations
Richard Ruberti
+1 302 594-6850
rrruberti@ashland.com