Ashland to showcase its leading papermaking products at Asian Paper 2012

SHANGHAI, China – Ashland Water Technologies, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), will exhibit a variety of innovative papermaking products and solutions at Asian Paper 2012, which is being held April 25-27 in Bangkok, Thailand.

“We see enormous opportunities in China and across the Asia Pacific region as the market continues to expand,” said Max Sun, business application and platform launch leader, Asia Pacific, Ashland Water Technologies. “Our products are able to offer exceptional functionality that meet or exceed our customers’ expectations, positioning Ashland as a preferred partner to our customers.”

At booth No. J1, Ashland’s experts will demonstrate how good chemistry can bring great efficiency, flexibility and productivity for the papermaking industry. Product solutions on display will include:
● Spectrum™ XD3899 microbiocide – Effectively controls microorganisms in alkaline papermaking systems without adverse side effects associated with strong oxidizing biocides.
● Hercobond™ performance products – Offer increased strength, increased machine speed, reduced energy consumption and improved retention / drainage.
● DeTac™ pitch and stickies control agents – Combine the benefits of a detackifier, stabilizer and fixative to simultaneously address multiple deposition parameters.
● Zenix™ dryer section passivation aids – Significantly reduce deposition and linting in the dryer section of a paper machine.

Richard Royce, vice president, Asia Pacific, Ashland Water Technologies, added, “At Ashland, we combine our knowledge and understanding of papermaking to create the chemistries our customers require today and those they will need tomorrow. When our customers succeed, we succeed.”

Ashland Water Technologies is a leading specialty chemical supplier of process, utility and functional chemistries globally. It offers innovative chemical and equipment technologies designed to help customers improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets and minimize environmental impact. To meet the diverse requirements of its customers, Water Technologies offers a range of services, including analytical and applications laboratories, customized program offerings and a focused-service approach. Key customers include pulp producers; papermakers; food and beverage manufacturers; mining and mineral processing operations; light and heavy industrial facilities, and municipalities. See ashland.com for more information.

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.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Media Relations
Helen Pei
+86 21 2402 4863
bpei@ashland.com