Ashland showcases its extensive excipient portfolio at API China 2012

SHANGHAI, China – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), for the first time presents its extensive excipient portfolio and global research and development capabilities at the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients China (API China) show, the country’s leading exhibition for the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

China’s pharmaceutical market is expanding and will soon become the world’s third-largest market. As a leading partner to the pharmaceutical industry, Ashland is committed to offering quality products and reliable customer service support to meet drug manufacturers’ demands and to support their success.

“The acquisition of the former International Specialty Products Inc. (ISP) has strengthened Ashland’s ability to provide the most comprehensive resources available from one single excipient supplier,” said Nandu Dhekne, vice president, Asia Pacific, Ashland Specialty Ingredients. “During the show, visitors will be able to learn about Ashland’s pharmaceutical expertise and how we leverage our global R&D network to support customers in China.”

Ashland Specialty Ingredients provides an unparalleled range of functional excipients for solid, semi-solid and liquid dosage forms. Delivering pharmaceutical and nutraceutical performance since the 1950s, it provides solutions for applications in controlled release, solubilization, binders, film coatings and disintegrants. Ashland Specialty Ingredients creates value for its customers through applications knowledge, market insight, regulatory support and a powerful product portfolio, including Aquarius™ coating systems; Aqualon™ ethylcellulose (EC); Aqualon and Blanose™ sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC); Benecel™ methylcellulose and hypromellose; Klucel™ hydroxypropylcellulose; Natrosol™ hydroxyethylcellulose; Plasdone™ povidone; Plasdone™ copovidone and Polyplasdone™ crospovidone.

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.

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