Ashland completes expansion of manufacturing facility in Georgia, installs Nuosept™ biocides production line

Ashland completes expansion of manufacturing facility in Georgia, installs Nuosept^™ biocides production line

WILMINGTON, Del. - Ashland Specialty Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland, Inc. (NYSE: ASH), has completed a 13,000-square-foot expansion of its Macon, Ga., facility and moved its Nuosept™ biocides production line to the new space. By moving Nuosept biocide production from Leaside, Ontario, to Macon, Ashland has increased production flexibility and efficiency. The production lines are now fully operational.

"With 11 mixing vessels ranging from 75 gallons to 6,000 gallons and every size in between, we can fulfill most any size order, large or small," said Chris Kollman, plant manager. There are 64 tanks on site, including 30 bulk tanks and 19 3,000-5,000-gallon day tanks, which enable Ashland to store finished product until it is shipped and to free up the mills for additional production. The plant runs three shifts covering 24 hours per day Monday through Friday, and can run Saturday if necessary.

"Biocides volume comes in surges," added Russell Jerusik, biocides product manager, Ashland Specialty Ingredients. "When we need to produce large volumes, we can use the full plant staff. Conversely, we also have the flexibility to produce very quickly with very little lead time." That same flexibility, Jerusik said, enables Ashland to produce different blended products and volumes simultaneously and efficiently.

Jerusik noted synergies in manpower and equipment that can be applied to biocides. "We can optimize our inventory," he said. "We can make what we need, not more."

The plant also has a pilot-sized, mini-mill to produce experimental batches. The mini-mill helps Ashland innovate and develop new biocides that can then be scaled up to production volumes. The mini-mill also enables technicians to look at variations in the manufacturing process and troubleshoot customers' production problems.

The Macon location is suited for Nuosept biocides production, said Jerusik. The technicians were experienced in producing biocides, and the plant was already a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-registered site. It offers a logistical advantage as well.

"Our new, U.S. location enhances our ability to supply customers with product more efficiently and quickly than before to meet their production requirements," said Jerusik.

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 Valvoline.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Media Relations
Lisa Porter
+1 (973) 533-5765
lporter@ashland.com