Ashland commits to major capacity expansion for Klucel™ products

WILMINGTON, Del. - Ashland Specialty Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), today announced plans to significantly expand production capacity of its Klucel™ hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC) product line in Hopewell, Va. The expansion is expected to begin production in the second half of calendar 2016. Klucel HPC is a tablet binder and coating ingredient used in pharmaceutical applications and dietary supplements worldwide.

"Ashland is committed to the overall pharmaceutical market and has made a number of sizeable investments over the past two years to strengthen our position," said David Neuberger, vice president, Pharmaceutical Specialties, Ashland Specialty Ingredients.

Those investments include the opening of Ashland's pharmaceutical center of excellence in Hyderabad, India, earlier this year; the pending expansion of Ashland's technical capabilities in Wilmington, Del.; and the Polyplasdone™ crospovidone expansion in Texas City, Texas.

About Ashland Specialty Ingredients
Ashland Specialty Ingredients is the #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, as well as acrylic and polyurethane-based adhesives, 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; manufacturers of paint, coatings and construction materials; packaging and converting; and oilfield service companies. Visit ashland.com to learn more.

About Ashland
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global leader in providing specialty chemical solutions to customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Through our three commercial units - Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Performance Materials and Valvoline - we use good chemistry to make great things happen for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com to learn more.

® Registered trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries
™ Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Ashland Specialty Ingredients
Media Relations
Richard Ruberti
+1 (302) 594-6850
rrruberti@ashland.com