Ashland to increase prices for phosphate ester surfactant products

WILIMINGTON, Del. – Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), will increase the price of all and Strodex® phosphate ester surfactant products by 5 to 8 percent in North America effective May 1, or as contracts allow.

This action is driven by escalating raw material prices. Responding to changing market conditions allows Ashland to continue to invest in new capacity and product innovation.

Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients is a leading producer of cellulose ethers worldwide. It provides specialty additives and functional ingredients that manage the physical properties of aqueous and non-aqueous systems including rheology control, water retention, bonding strength, film formation, conditioning, deposition and stabilization. Many of its products - used in paint and coatings, construction, food, personal care, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas field production and specialty industries - are derived from renewable and natural raw materials.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provides specialty chemical products, services and solutions for many of the world’s most essential industries. Serving customers in more than 100 countries, it operates through five commercial units: Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.

® Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries