PLIOGRIP® by Valvoline Panel 60 Adhesive Meets GM Specification GM6449G

DUBLIN, Ohio, March 15, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- PLIOGRIP by Valvoline Panel 60 adhesive, a rubber-toughened epoxy from Ashland Specialty Chemical, a division of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), was recently recognized by General Motors Corporation to meet the aftermarket metal bonding specification GM6449G.

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GM6449G, "Automotive (Metallic) Panel Bonding Performance Guidelines for After Market Service Use," details performance guidelines for structural adhesives used to bond metal body panels in the automotive aftermarket.

Panel 60 adhesive also has passed both the FMVSS 208 frontal offset crash test and the FMVSS 301 rear-end crash test with adhesives-only repairs of the roof panel and rear quarter panel, respectively. This testing demonstrates that Panel 60 adhesive can stand alone without welds on secondary panel repairs. Panel 60 adhesive also is formulated to be spot-welded, so it may be used in repairs calling for weld-bonding and may be spot-welded wet.

"Recognition by General Motors reinforces that our adhesive technology not only meets the demands of today's collision repair professionals, but also meets the stringent standards established at the OEM level for their use in the aftermarket," said Marcello Boldrini, vice president, Ashland Specialty Chemical, and general manager, Specialty Polymers & Adhesives.

Panel 60 adhesive is a versatile panel bonding adhesive that can be used for bonding bare metal on quarter panels, roof panels, rear body panels and door skins. Panel 60 adhesive is backed by a lifetime structural and corrosion warranty and also has a two-year shelf life.

PLIOGRIP by Valvoline body repair system from Ashland utilizes urethane, epoxy and MS Polymer technologies and is currently comprised of 17 core products segmented into four groups: SMC Repair, Panel Bonding, Plastic Repair and Sealers & Foams.

Combining the innovative technology and engineering of Ashland Specialty Chemical with Valvoline's 130 years of experience in the transportation industry, PLIOGRIP by Valvoline products deliver better workability, reduced repair times and superior structural strength to today's body shop professionals.

For more information on the PLIOGRIP by Valvoline body repair system from Ashland, please visit www.pliogripbyvalvoline.com or call 1-800-PLIOGRIP.

Ashland Specialty Polymers & Adhesives, a business group of Ashland Specialty Chemical, is a global leader in pressure sensitive and structural adhesives for packaging and converting, building and construction, and transportation.

Ashland Specialty Chemical, a division of Ashland Inc., is a leading, worldwide supplier of specialty chemicals serving industries including adhesives, automotive, composites, metal casting, merchant marine, paint, paper, plastics, watercraft and water treatment. Visit www.ashspec.com to learn more about these operations.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a Fortune 500 chemical and transportation construction company providing products, services and customer solutions throughout the world. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.

SOURCE Ashland Inc.

Ken Gordon of Ashland Inc., +1-614-790-1832, or kdgordon@ashland.com

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