UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021

OR

For the transition period from _________ to ___________

Commission file number 333-211719

ASHLAND GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.

8145 Blazer Drive

Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Telephone Number (302) 995-3000

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☑

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C 7262 (b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☑

At March 31, 2021, the aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $5,389,129,000. In determining this amount, the Registrant has assumed that its directors and executive officers are affiliates. Such assumption shall not be deemed conclusive for any other purpose.

At October 31, 2021, there were 56,838,804 shares of Registrant’s common stock outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

GENERAL

Ashland Global Holdings Inc. is a Delaware corporation, with its headquarters and principal executive offices at 8145 Blazer Drive, Wilmington, Delaware 19808 Telephone: (302) 995-3000. Ashland Global Holdings Inc. was incorporated in 2016 as the successor to a Kentucky corporation named Ashland Inc. organized in 2004 (now known as Ashland LLC), which was itself organized as the successor to a Kentucky corporation of the same name organized in 1936. Ashland Global Holdings Inc. replaced Ashland Inc. as the publicly held corporation, and Ashland Inc. was converted to a Kentucky limited liability company and is now an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Ashland Global Holdings Inc. The terms “Ashland” and “the Company” as used herein include Ashland Global Holdings Inc., its predecessors, and its consolidated subsidiaries, except where the context indicates otherwise. Ashland is the successor issuer to Ashland Inc. pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and files periodic and other reports required by the Exchange Act.

Ashland is a global leader in providing additives and specialty ingredients to customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, nutraceuticals, personal care and pharmaceutical. With approximately 4,100 employees worldwide, Ashland serves customers in more than 100 countries.

Ashland’s reportable segments include: Life Sciences; Personal Care & Household; Specialty Additives; and Intermediates and Solvents. Unallocated and Other includes corporate governance activities and certain legacy matters.

On August 31, 2021, Ashland announced its agreement with Arkema, a French société anonyme, to sell its Performance Adhesive business for the sum of $1.65 billion. The transaction is expected to close by the March 31, 2022 quarter end, subject to closing conditions. Ashland expects net proceeds from the sale to be approximately $1.2 to $1.3 billion, with the aim of using the proceeds to invest in the growth of the other core businesses as well as optimize its balance sheet and return capital to shareholders. The expected divestiture represents a strategic shift in Ashland's business and qualifies as a discontinued operation. As a result, the assets, liabilities, operating results and cash flows related to Performance Adhesives have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented within the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Life Sciences is comprised of pharmaceuticals, nutrition, nutraceuticals, agricultural chemicals, advanced materials and fine chemicals. Pharmaceutical solutions include controlled release polymers, disintegrants, tablet coatings, thickeners, solubilizers and tablet binders. Nutrition solutions include thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers and additives for enhancing mouthfeel, controlling moisture migration, reducing oil uptake and binding structured foods. Nutraceutical solutions include products for weight management, joint comfort, stomach and intestinal health, sports nutrition and general wellness. The nutraceutical business also provides custom formulation, toll processing and particle engineering solutions. Customers include pharmaceutical, food, beverage, nutraceuticals and supplements manufacturers, hospitals and radiologists and industrial manufacturers.

Personal Care & Household is comprised of biofunctionals, preservatives, skin care, sun care, oral care, hair care and household. These businesses have a broad range of nature-based, biodegradable, and performance ingredients for customer-driven solutions to help protect, renew, moisturize and revitalize skin and hair, and provide solutions for toothpastes, mouth washes and rinses, denture cleaning and care for teeth. Household supplies nature-derived rheology ingredients, biodegradable surface wetting agents, performance encapsulates, and specialty polymers for household, industrial and institutional cleaning products. Customers include formulators at large multinational branded consumer products companies and smaller, independent boutique companies.

On April 30, 2021, Ashland completed the $312 million acquisition of the personal care business from Schülke & Mayr GmbH (Schülke), a portfolio company of the global investment organization, EQT. The completion of the acquisition strengthens the profitable growth of the personal care and household business segment, enhances the specialty ingredients solutions and expands the biotechnology and microbiology technical competencies.

Specialty Additives is comprised of rheology- and performance-enhancing additives serving the coatings, construction, energy, automotive and various industrial markets. Solutions include coatings additives for architectural paints, finishes and lacquers, cement- and gypsum- based dry mortars, ready-mixed joint compounds, synthetic plasters for commercial and

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residential construction, and specialty materials for industrial applications. Products include rheology modifiers (cellulosic and associative thickeners), foam control agents, surfactants and wetting agents, pH neutralizers, advanced ceramics used in catalytic converters, and environmental filters, ingredients that aid the manufacturing process of ceramic capacitors, plasma display panels and solar cells, ingredients for textile printing, thermoplastic metals and alloys for welding. Products help improve desired functional outcomes through rheology modification and control, water retention, workability, adhesive strength, binding power, film formation, deposition and suspension and emulsification. Customers include global paint manufacturers, electronics and automotive manufacturers, textile mills, the construction industry and welders.

Intermediates and Solvents is comprised of the production of 1,4 butanediol (BDO) and related derivatives, including n-methylpyrrolidone. These products are used as chemical intermediates in the production of engineering polymers and polyurethanes, and as specialty process solvents in a wide array of applications including electronics, pharmaceuticals, water filtration membranes and more. BDO is also provided as a feedstock to Life Sciences, Personal Care, and Specialty Additives for use as a raw material.

Unallocated and Other generally includes items such as certain significant company-wide restructuring activities, corporate governance costs and legacy costs or activities that relate to divested businesses that are no longer operated by Ashland.

Available Information - Ashland’s Internet address is http://www.ashland.com. On this website, Ashland makes available, free of charge, its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports, as well as any beneficial ownership reports of officers and directors filed on Forms 3, 4 and 5. All such reports are available as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or electronically furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Ashland also makes available, free of charge on its website, its Corporate Governance Guidelines, Board Committee Charters, Director Independence Standards and global code of conduct that applies to Ashland’s directors, officers and employees. These documents are also available in print to any stockholder who requests them. Information contained on Ashland’s website is not part of this annual report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated by reference in this document. The SEC maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.

Our consumer businesses, which are comprised of Life Sciences and Personal Care & Household, offer industry-leading products, technologies and resources for solving formulation and product-performance challenges. Using natural, synthetic and semisynthetic polymers derived from cellulose ethers, vinyl pyrrolidones, acrylic polymers, and plant and seed extract, as well as comprehensive and innovative solutions for consumer and industrial applications.

Key customers include pharmaceutical companies; makers of personal care products; food and beverage manufacturers; and makers of nutraceuticals and dietary supplements. Certain customer relationships are significant, and the loss of any one of those customers could have a material adverse effect on the consumer businesses.

The areas of expertise include: organic and synthetic chemistry, polymer chemistry, surface science, rheology, structural analysis and microbiology.

The solutions provide an array of properties, including: thickening, binding, delivery, rheology control and water retention.

These consumer businesses are composed of various end use markets. Many of the products of the end markets are produced in shared manufacturing facilities, to better manage capacity and achieve desired returns.

LIFE SCIENCES

Life Sciences is a leading supplier of excipients and tablet coating systems to the pharmaceutical, nutrition and nutraceutical industries. Excipients include a comprehensive range of polymers for use as tablet binders, superdisintegrants, sustained-release agents and drug solubilizers, as well as a variety of coating formulations for immediate, delayed, and sustained release applications. Core products include cellulosics and vinyl pyrrolidone polymers which are used primarily in oral solid dosage drug formulations. The portfolio also includes branded and proprietary nutraceutical ingredients and expertise in nutraceutical formulation, particle engineering and contract manufacturing. Its nutrition portfolio provides functional benefits in areas such as thickening, texture control, thermal gelation, structure enhancement, water binding, clarification and stabilization. Its core

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products include cellulose gums and vinyl pyrrolidone polymers which are used in a wide range of offerings for bakery, beverage, dairy, desserts, meat products, pet food, prepared foods, sauces and savory products.

Life Sciences operates throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. It has 20 manufacturing and lab facilities in five countries which serve its various end markets. It has manufacturing facilities and labs in Wilmington, Delaware; Calvert City, Kentucky; Kearny, Paterson, S. Hackensack and Totowa, New Jersey; Monroe, New York; Columbus, Ohio; Fiskeville, Rhode Island; Texas City, Texas; and Ogden, Utah; within the United States; Dusseldorf, Germany; Istanbul, Turkey; Jaumave and Mexico City, Mexico; and Cabreuva and Sao Paolo, Brazil; Mullingar, Ireland; Shanghai, China and Hyderabad, India.

Life Science markets and distributes its products and services directly in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

For fiscal 2021, the following Life Sciences product categories were 10% or greater of Ashland’s total consolidated sales:

PERSONAL CARE & HOUSEHOLD

Personal Care & Household’s portfolio of oral care products delivers active ingredients in toothpaste and mouthwashes; provides bioadhesive functionality for dentures; delivers flavor, texture and other functional properties; and provides product binding to ensure form and function throughout product lifecycle.

Personal Care & Household’s portfolio of hair care products includes advanced styling polymers, fixatives, conditioning polymers, emulsifiers, preservatives, rheology modifiers and biofunctional actives.

Personal Care & Household’s portfolio of ingredients and solutions for skin care, sun care, and cosmetics focuses on natural and sustainable solutions. Ashland’s Personal Care & Household business includes biofunctional actives, preservatives, and specialty polymers to provide functionality such as water resistance and rheology. Ashland’s natural ingredients include a wide range of cellulose, guar, and cassia derivatives; unique active ingredients derived from botanical sources using exclusive Ashland technologies such as Zeta Fraction and PSR technology; emollients based on natural chemistries; encapsulation technology derived from alginates; and efficacious preservative blends inspired by nature.

Personal Care & Household’s portfolio of products and technologies is used in many types of cleaning and fragrance applications, including fabric care, home care and dishwashing. Personal Care & Household’s products are used in a variety of applications for viscosity enhancement, particle suspension, rheology modification, stabilization and fragrance enhancement.

Personal Care & Household operates throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. It has 13 manufacturing and lab facilities in five countries which serve its various end markets and participates in one joint venture. It has manufacturing facilities and labs in Freetown, Massachusetts; Chatham, New Jersey; Ossining, New York; Merry Hill, North Carolina; Summerville, South Carolina; Kenedy, Texas; and Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin within the United States and Sophia Antipolis, France; Hyderabad and Mumbai, India; Mexico City, Mexico; Hamburg, Germany and Poole, United Kingdom.

Personal Care & Household markets and distributes its products and services directly and through third-party distributors in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

For fiscal 2021, the following Personal Care & Household product categories were 10% or greater of Ashland’s total consolidated sales:

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SPECIALTY ADDITIVES

Specialty Additives offers industry-leading products, technologies and resources for solving formulation and product-performance challenges. Using synthetic and semisynthetic polymers derived from polyester and polyurethane-based adhesives, and plant and seed extract, Industrial Specialties offers comprehensive and innovative solutions for industrial applications.

Key customers include manufacturers of paint, coatings and construction materials; packaging and converting companies; and oilfield service companies. Certain customer relationships are significant, and the loss of any one of those customers could have a material adverse effect on Specialty Additives.

The areas of expertise include: organic and synthetic chemistry, colloid science, rheology, structural analysis and microbiology.

The solutions provide an array of properties, including: thickening and rheology control, binding power, film formation, conditioning and deposition, colloid stabilization and suspension.

Specialty Additives is composed of various end use markets. Many of the products of the end markets are produced in shared manufacturing facilities, to better manage capacity and achieve desired returns.

Specialty Additives provides products and services to over 30 industries. Ashland offers a broad spectrum of organo- and water-soluble polymers that are derived from both natural and synthetic resources. Product lines include derivatized cellulose polymers, synthetics, and vinyl pyrrolidone polymers that impart effective functionalities to serve a variety of industrial markets and specialized applications. Many of the products within Specialty Additives function as performance additives that deliver high levels of end-user value in formulated products. In other areas, such as plastics and textiles, Specialty Additives’ products function as a processing aid, improving the quality of end products and reducing manufacturing costs.

Specialty Additives is a recognized leader in rheology solutions for waterborne architectural paint and coatings. Products include hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), which provides thickening and application properties for interior and exterior paints, and nonionic synthetic associative thickeners (NSATs), which are APEO-free liquid synthetics for high-performance paint and industrial coatings. The Specialty Additives market complements its rheology offering with a broad portfolio of performance foam-control agents, surfactants and wetting agents, dispersants and pH neutralizers.

Specialty Additives is a major producer and supplier of cellulose ethers and companion products for the construction industry. These products control properties such as water retention, open time, workability, adhesion, stabilization, pumping, sag resistance, rheology, strength, appearance and performance in dry-mortar formulations.

Specialty Additives is a leading global manufacturer of synthetic- and cellulosic-based products for drilling fluids, oil-well cement slurries, completion and workover fluids, fracturing fluids and production chemicals. Specialty Additives offers the oil and gas industry solutions for drilling, stimulation, completion, cementing and production applications.

Specialty Additives operates throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. It has 12 manufacturing and lab facilities in eight countries which serve its various end markets. Specialty Additives has manufacturing facilities and labs in Huntsville, Alabama; Parlin, New Jersey; and Hopewell, Virginia; within the United States and Doel-Beveren, Belgium; Nanjing and Shanghai, China; Alizay, France; Dusseldorf, Germany; Mumbai, India; Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands; and Bradford and Newton Aycliffe, United Kingdom.

Specialty Additives distributes its products and services directly and through third-party distributors in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific.

For fiscal 2021, the following Specialty Additives products were 10% or greater of Ashland’s total consolidated sales:

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INTERMEDIATES AND SOLVENTS

Intermediates and Solvents is a leading producer of BDO and related derivatives, including n-methylpyrrolidone. These products are used as chemical intermediates in the production of engineering polymers and polyurethanes, and as specialty process solvents in a wide array of applications including electronics, pharmaceuticals, water filtration membranes and more. BDO is also provided as a feedstock to Life Sciences, Personal Care and Specialty Additives for use as a raw material.

Key customers include Ashland’s Life Sciences, Personal Care and Specialty Additives segments, general industrial manufacturers, plastics and polymers producers, pharmaceutical companies, agricultural firms and producers of electronic components and systems.

Intermediates and Solvents has a manufacturing facility in Lima, Ohio, while some derivatives are produced at Life Sciences facilities in Texas City, Texas and Calvert City, Kentucky. Intermediates and Solvents’ markets and distributes its products directly and through third-party distributors in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

MISCELLANEOUS

Environmental Matters

Ashland maintains a companywide environmental policy overseen by the Environmental, Health, Safety and Quality Committee of Ashland’s Board of Directors. Ashland’s Environmental, Health, Safety, Quality and Regulatory Affairs (EHSQ&RA) department has the responsibility to ensure that Ashland’s businesses worldwide maintain environmental compliance in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. This responsibility is carried out via training; widespread communication of EHSQ&RA policies; information and regulatory updates; formulation of relevant policies, procedures and work practices; design and implementation of EHSQ&RA management systems; internal auditing; monitoring of legislative and regulatory developments that may affect Ashland’s operations; assistance to the businesses in identifying compliance issues and opportunities for voluntary actions that go beyond compliance; and incident response planning and implementation.

Federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment have a significant impact on how Ashland conducts its businesses. In addition, Ashland’s operations outside the United States are subject to the environmental laws of the countries in which they are located. These laws include regulation of air emissions and water discharges, waste handling, remediation and product inventory, registration and regulation. New laws and regulations may be enacted or adopted by various regulatory agencies globally. The costs of compliance with any new laws or regulations cannot be estimated until the manner in which they will be implemented has been more precisely defined.

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At September 30, 2021, Ashland’s reserves for environmental remediation and related environmental litigation amounted to $207 million, reflecting Ashland’s best estimates of the most likely costs that will be incurred over an extended period to remediate identified conditions for which the costs are reasonably estimable, without regard to any third-party recoveries. Engineering studies, historical experience and other factors are used to identify and evaluate remediation alternatives and their related costs in determining the estimated reserves for environmental remediation. Environmental remediation reserves are subject to numerous inherent uncertainties that affect Ashland’s ability to estimate its share of the costs. Such uncertainties involve the nature and extent of contamination at each site, the extent of required cleanup efforts under existing environmental regulations, widely varying costs of alternate cleanup methods, changes in environmental regulations, the potential effect of continuing improvements in remediation technology and the number and financial strength of other potentially responsible parties at multiparty sites. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the ultimate costs of environmental remediation, Ashland currently estimates that the upper end of the reasonably possible range of future costs for identified sites could be as high as approximately $480 million. No individual remediation location is significant, as the largest reserve for any site is 13% of the remediation reserve. Ashland regularly adjusts its reserves as environmental remediation continues. Environmental remediation expense, net of insurance receivables, amounted to $51 million in 2021 compared to $48 million in 2020 and $34 million in 2019.

Product Control, Registration and Inventory - Many of Ashland’s products and operations are subject to chemical control laws of the countries in which they are located. These laws include regulation of chemical substances and inventories under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in the United States and the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) regulation in Europe. Under REACH, additional testing requirements, documentation, risk assessments and registrations are occurring and will continue to occur and may adversely affect Ashland’s costs of products produced in or imported into the European Union. Examples of other product control regulations include right to know laws under the Global Harmonized System (GHS) for hazard communication, regulation of chemicals used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and personal care products and that contact food under the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act in the United States, the Framework Regulation in Europe and other product control requirements for chemical weapons, drug precursors and import/export. New laws and regulations may be enacted or adopted by various regulatory agencies globally. The costs of compliance with any new laws or regulations cannot be estimated until the manner in which they will be implemented has been more precisely defined.

Remediation - Ashland currently operates, and in the past has operated, various facilities at which, during the normal course of business, releases of hazardous substances have occurred. Additionally, Ashland has known or alleged potential environmental liabilities at a number of third-party sites. Federal and state laws, including but not limited to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and various other remediation laws, require that contamination caused by hazardous substance releases be assessed and, if necessary, remediated to meet applicable standards. Some of these laws also provide for liability for related damage to natural resources, and claims for alleged property and personal injury damage can also arise related to contaminated sites. Laws in other jurisdictions in which Ashland operates require that contamination caused by such releases at these sites be assessed and, if necessary, remediated to meet applicable standards.

Air - In the United States, the Clean Air Act (CAA) imposes stringent limits on facility air emissions, establishes a federally mandated operating permit program, allows for civil and criminal enforcement actions and sets limits on the volatile or toxic content of many types of industrial materials and consumer products. The CAA establishes national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) with attainment deadlines and control requirements based on the severity of air pollution in a given geographical area. Various state clean air acts implement, complement and, in many instances, add to the requirements of the federal CAA. The requirements of the CAA and its state counterparts have a significant impact on the daily operation of Ashland’s businesses and, in many cases, on product formulation and other long-term business decisions. Other countries where Ashland operates also have laws and regulations relating to air quality. Ashland’s businesses maintain numerous permits and emission control devices pursuant to these clean air laws.

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The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has increased its frequency in reviewing the NAAQS. The USEPA has stringent standards for particulate matter, ozone and sulfur dioxide. Throughout 2021, state and local agencies continued to implement options for meeting the newest standards. Particulate matter strategies include dust control measures for construction sites and reductions in emission rates allowed for industrial operations. Options for ozone include emission controls for certain types of sources, reduced limits on the volatile organic compound content of industrial materials and consumer products, and requirements on the transportation sector. Most options for sulfur dioxide focus on coal and diesel fuel combustion sources. It is not possible at this time to estimate the potential financial impact that these newest standards may have on Ashland’s operations or products. Ashland will continue to monitor and evaluate these standards to meet these and all air quality requirements.

Solid Waste - Ashland’s businesses are subject to various laws relating to and establishing standards for the management of hazardous and solid waste. In the United States, Ashland’s facilities are subject to RCRA and its regulations governing generators of hazardous waste. Ashland has implemented systems to oversee compliance with the RCRA regulations. In addition to regulating current waste disposal practices, RCRA also addresses the environmental effects of certain past waste disposal operations, the recycling of wastes and the storage of regulated substances in underground tanks. Ashland has the remediation liability for certain facilities subject to these regulations. Other countries where Ashland operates also have laws and regulations relating to hazardous and solid waste, and Ashland has systems in place to oversee compliance.

Water - Ashland’s businesses maintain numerous discharge permits. In the United States, such permits may be required by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System of the Clean Water Act and similar state programs. Other countries have similar laws and regulations requiring permits and controls relating to water discharge.

Climate Change and Related Regulatory Developments - Ashland has been collecting energy use data and calculating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for many years. Ashland evaluates the potential impacts from both climate change and the anticipated GHG regulations to facilities, products and other business interests, as well as the strategies commonly considered by the industrial sector to reduce the potential impact of these risks. These risks are generally grouped as impacts from legislative, regulatory and international developments, impacts from business and investment trends and impacts to company assets from the physical effects of climate change. Current North American, European and other regional regulatory developments are not expected to have a material effect on Ashland’s operations, although some facilities are subject to promulgated rules. Business and investment trends are expected to drive an increase in the demand for products that improve energy efficiency, reduce energy use and increase the use of renewable resources. At this time, Ashland cannot estimate the impact of this expected demand increase to its businesses. Physical effects from climate change have the potential to affect Ashland’s assets in areas prone to sea level rise or extreme weather events much as they do the general public and other businesses. Due to the uncertainty of these matters, Ashland cannot estimate the impact at this time of GHG-related developments on its operations or financial condition.

Competition

Ashland competes in the highly fragmented additives and specialty ingredients industries. The participants in these industries offer a varied and broad array of product lines designed to meet specific customer requirements. Participants compete with service and product offerings on a global, regional and/or local level subject to the nature of the businesses and products, as well as the end-markets and customers served. Competition is based on several key criteria, including product performance and quality, product price, product availability and security of supply, responsiveness of product development in cooperation with customers, customer service, industry knowledge and technical capability. Certain key competitors are significantly larger than Ashland and have greater financial resources, leading to greater operating and financial flexibility. The industry has become increasingly global as participants have focused on establishing and maintaining leadership positions outside of their home markets. Many of these segments’ product lines face domestic and international competition, due to industry consolidation, pricing pressures and competing technologies. To improve its competitive position, as Ashland narrows its focus, the company is building and more strongly leveraging the Ashland corporate brand as a differentiator to create value and better communicate the capabilities, promise and scale of the company, making it easier to introduce new product lines and applications.

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Intellectual Property

Ashland has a broad intellectual property portfolio which is an important component of its business. Ashland relies on patents, trade secrets, formulae and know-how to protect and differentiate its products and technologies. In addition, these reportable segments own valuable trademarks which identify and differentiate its products from its competitors. Ashland also uses licensed intellectual property rights from third-parties.

Raw Materials

Ashland purchases its raw materials from multiple sources of supply in the United States and other countries and believes that raw material supplies will be available in quantities sufficient to meet demand in fiscal 2022. All of Ashland’s reportable segments were impacted, to varying degrees, by the volatility of raw materials costs in fiscal 2021, and these conditions may continue in fiscal 2022.

Research and Development

Ashland’s program of research and development is focused on defining the needs of the marketplace and framing those needs into technology platforms. Ashland has the capability to develop and deliver the intellectual property required to grow and protect those platforms. Ashland is focused on developing new chemistries, market-changing technologies and customer driven solutions at numerous technology centers located in the Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific region.

Seasonality

Ashland’s business may vary due to seasonality. Ashland’s business units typically experience stronger demand during warmer weather months.

Human Capital

Employee Health and Safety - Cultivating a safety culture is intentional at Ashland and is best shown by our commitment to a Zero Incident Culture (ZIC). ZIC begins with the vision, values, beliefs, and actions of Ashland’s leaders demonstrating that zero incidents is possible. It means developing processes where compliance is the minimum expectation, allowing employees to proactively manage safety above compliance on the journey to ZERO.

As an indication of its commitment to Responsible Care, Ashland obtained a third-party certification to RC14001, which includes the internationally recognized ISO 14001 certification and adds additional health, safety, security, and chemical industry requirements. Currently, Ashland has 29 international sites participating on a group RC14001 certification. Also, as part of its commitment to health and safety, 16 of the company's sites have obtained an additional ISO 45001 certification, an international health and safety management system.

As part of ZIC, the company strives every day to achieve zero incidents. Ashland continues to make good progress on its journey. For the year ended September 30, 2021, the Company had a Total Preventable Recordable Rate (TPRR) of 0.73.

Ashland has implemented several tools for communicating lessons learned from injuries, process safety incidents, and environmental releases. Immediately following an event, flash reports are developed and shared to communicate key lessons learned across the company. Additionally, incidents and root causes/corrective and preventive actions are reviewed monthly with company leadership to discuss areas for improvement and highlight the importance of identifying and addressing management system errors.

Ashland has implemented the “Good Catch” Program aimed at identifying underlying unsafe conditions or behaviors that could lead to an undesirable outcome. Employees are encouraged to report good catches that fall into one of three categories – substandard conditions, near misses, and suggestions. These are tracked with the goal of continuing to increase overall reporting of identified good catches year to year.

Environmental - Ashland has a conscious and proactive mindset for sustainability and has established a renewable annual trust for ongoing and future environmental remediation and related litigation cash outlays. The initiative follows Ashland's announcement in February 2021 to align its operations with the ambitious aim of the Paris Climate Accord to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C above preindustrial levels. At that time, Ashland also became a signatory to the United Nations Global

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Compact and is making the United Nations principles part of the company's business strategy, culture, and day-to-day operations.
 

COVID-19 - The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the world in unprecedented ways, affecting millions of people and countless institutions around the world. Ashland’s Incident Management Teams (IMT) have operated with the focus of keeping our employees, customers, and families safe while continuing to provide essential additives and specialty ingredients during this crisis.

Since the beginning of its ZIC journey over 20 years ago, Ashland has focused on preparedness and prevention and established an IMT which executed pandemic response plans. The COVID-19 IMT was formed in early January 2020 to support its China and Asia-Pacific operations and scaled to five regional teams under the direction of the Global IMT and Executive Leadership Team.

Ashland’s safety, health, purchasing, IT, supply chain, and human resource teams have worked with the company’s facilities to rapidly implement workplace changes, obtain personal protective equipment, and provide sanitization supplies to its employees while developing a reserve of materials to ensure continued safe operations. In addition, to foster a safe work environment, Ashland deployed its workforce expertise and raw materials to manufacture hand sanitizers when it became unavailable. The company distributed thousands of gallons of sanitizers for use in its facilities, and made significant donations to first responders in the communities in which the company operates to support the global response locally.
 

Ashland’s first priority is always the health and well-being of its employees, customers, and communities. Since the start of the pandemic, the company’s focus has shifted from managing an immediate crisis to building in the flexibility needed to adjust for regional differences and changing conditions. In some regions, employees have been able to return to their work sites. Other regions, including most of EMEA, India and South America, remain on work-from-home protocols for non-essential personnel.
 

Human Capital Management - Ashland’s global workforce is foundational to its success. The company strives to be a great place to work by being a diverse and inclusive workplace, attracting and developing exceptional global talent, supporting employees’ physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing, and recognizing and rewarding performance. To reach its highest potential as an organization, Ashland is focused on strengthening its performance by building an inclusive culture where everyone belongs and feels inspired to excel.
 

As of September 30, 2021, Ashland had approximately 4,100 employees who thrive on developing practical, innovative, and simple solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. The employees’ global demographics consist of approximately 72% male employees and approximately 28% female employees, and in the U.S., approximately 24% of its employees self-identify as ethnically diverse.

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Ashland's global footprint (including Performance Adhesives) is geographically located as follows:

Competitive Pay and Benefits - Ashland is committed to paying its employees in a fair and equitable manner, regardless of race or gender, and has implemented global total rewards tools to promote equitable remuneration. The company provides a total compensation package that is designed to be competitive with the markets in which it competes for talent. Ashland believes employees should be compensated equitably based on performance, skills, and experience. The company’s compensation programs are globally aligned, and, where possible, its total rewards plans include base salary, short and long-term incentives, benefits, financial, and special recognition programs. The company routinely reviews its total rewards practices in the markets in which it operates to ensure its plans allow for the recruitment and retention of the diverse talent it needs to be successful.

Ashland offers a competitive global benefits program to support employees through all life stages. The following benefit plans are available to employees which include plan specific features such as on-site and on-demand resources:

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Ashland embraces inclusion and diversity as a key business accelerator and actively seeks to strengthen the diversity of its workforce and inclusiveness of its culture. The company focuses significant resources on recruiting, developing, and retaining diverse talent and is committed to actively creating a collaborative environment of innovation that leverages the talents of a diverse global workforce to drive sustainable growth and create value for its shareholders, customers, employees, and the communities in which it operates.

Ashland’s commitment to inclusion and diversity starts at the top with its Board and executive leadership. The company’s board of directors is comprised of nine individuals with diverse experience and credentials, selected for their business acumen and ability to challenge and add value to management. These directors have held significant leadership positions and bring a depth of experience across a wide variety of industries, providing the company with unique insights and fresh perspectives. The demographics of the company’s board of directors is 44% diverse, including females and diverse males. See "Item 10 – Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance" for further information related to Ashland’s board of directors. The Company’s management is led by its President and Chief Executive Officer and the other members of the Executive Committee (“EC”). The demographics of the EC include 29% women and 43% who identify as ethnically diverse individuals. Further information related

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to its EC is included under the caption “Information About the company’s Executive Officers” under Item X within Part I of this Form 10-K.

Talent Management - Ashland supports life-long learning and the on-going professional development of its workforce. The company invests in its employees with a wide range of internal and external employee development opportunities, enabling them to build meaningful careers. As part of its commitment to professional development, Ashland offers associate’s and bachelor’s undergraduate, graduate, and PhD tuition assistance to eligible employees. Ashland reviews the talent within the organization annually and updates succession plans to identify and develop a leadership pipeline of talent to maintain business operations. The talent management process includes a well-established performance management process that seeks to provide employees on-going feedback to enhance their performance in support of business objectives.

Forward-Looking Statements

This annual report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements are not historical facts and generally are identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “is likely,” “predicts,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “objectives,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “plans,” and

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“intends” and the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. Although Ashland believes that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, such expectations are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and may be beyond Ashland’s control. As a result, Ashland cannot assure that the expectations contained in such statements will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in such statements are discussed under “Use of estimates, risks and uncertainties” in Note A of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this annual report on Form 10-K. For a discussion of other factors and risks that could affect Ashland’s expectations and operations, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this annual report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

The following discussion of “risk factors” identifies the most significant factors that may adversely affect Ashland’s business, operations, financial position or future financial performance. This information should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the consolidated financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K. The following discussion of risks is designed to highlight what Ashland believes are important factors to consider when evaluating its expectations. These factors could cause future results to differ from those in forward-looking statements and from historical trends.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse effect on Ashland’s business operations, results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

Ashland continues to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on all aspects of its business and geographies, including how the pandemic will impact customers, employees, suppliers, vendors, business partners and distribution channels. The COVID-19 pandemic has and may create significant volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption, which may materially and adversely affect Ashland’s business operations, cash flows, liquidity and financial position. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact Ashland will depend on numerous evolving factors and future developments that are difficult to predict, including: the severity of the virus and any related variants; the duration of the outbreak; governmental, business and other actions in response to the pandemic (which could include limitations on Ashland’s operations or mandates to provide products or services); the impact of the pandemic on Ashland’s supply chain; the impact of the pandemic on economic activity; the extent and duration of the effect on consumer confidence and spending, customer demand and buying patterns including spending on discretionary categories; the health of and the effect on Ashland’s workforce and its ability to meet staffing needs through the operations and other critical functions, particularly if employees are quarantined as a result of exposure; any impairment in value of tangible or intangible assets which could be recorded as a result of weaker economic conditions; the impact on Ashland’s business and the global economy from governmental actions related to international trade; and the potential effects on internal controls including those over financial reporting as a result of changes in working environments such as shelter-in-place and similar orders that are applicable to employees and business partners, among others. In addition, if the pandemic continues to create disruptions or volatility in the credit or financial markets, or impacts Ashland’s credit ratings, it could adversely affect Ashland’s ability to access capital on favorable terms and continue to meet its liquidity needs, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. In addition, Ashland cannot predict the continued impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on its customers, suppliers, vendors, and other business partners, and each of their financial conditions; however, any material effect on these parties could adversely impact Ashland. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may also exacerbate other risks discussed in this Item 1A any of which could have a material effect on Ashland. This situation is changing rapidly and additional impacts may arise that Ashland is not aware of currently.

Business Operations, Financial Performance and Growth

Ashland has set aggressive growth goals for its businesses, including increasing sales, cash flow and margins, in order to achieve its long term strategic objectives. Ashland’s successful execution of its growth strategies and business plans to facilitate that growth involves a number of risks.

Ashland has set aggressive growth goals for its businesses in order to meet long term strategic objectives and improve shareholder value. Ashland’s failure to meet one or more of these goals or objectives would negatively impact Ashland’s potential

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value and its businesses. One of the most important risks is that Ashland might fail to adequately execute its business and growth plans, by optimizing the efficient use of its physical and intangible assets. Aspects of that risk include changes to global economic environment, changes to the competitive landscape, attraction and retention of skilled employees, the potential failure of product innovation plans, failure to comply with existing or new regulatory schemes, failure to maintain a competitive cost structure and other risks outlined in greater detail in this Item 1A.

Ashland’s pending sale of the Performance Adhesive business is subject to conditions, including certain conditions that may not be satisfied or completed on a timely basis, if at all. Failure to complete the sale of the Performance Adhesive business could have a material and adverse effect on Ashland. Even if completed, the Performance Adhesive sale may not achieve the intended benefits.

Ashland has entered into an agreement to sell its Performance Adhesive business to Arkema. The sale, which is targeted for completion in the quarter ended March 31, 2022, is subject to customary closing conditions. Ashland and Arkema may be unable to satisfy such conditions in a timely manner or at all and, accordingly, the Performance Adhesives sale may be delayed or may not be completed. Failure to complete the Performance Adhesives sale could have a material and adverse effect on Ashland, including by delaying its strategic and other objectives relating to the separation of the Performance Adhesive business and adversely affecting Ashland’s plans to use the proceeds from the sale to invest in the growth of core businesses, strengthening its balance sheet, and returning capital to shareholders. Even if the sale is completed, Ashland may not realize some or all of those expected benefits. For example, Ashland may be unable to utilize the proceeds from the sale as anticipated or capture the value it expects from its plans to invest in the growth of its core businesses. Executing the Performance Adhesives sale will require significant time and attention from management, which could divert attention from the management of Ashland’s remaining operations and the pursuit of its business strategies. If the proposed sale is completed, Ashland’s diversification of revenue sources will diminish, and it is possible that its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be subject to increased volatility as a result.

Business disruptions from natural, operational and other catastrophic risks could seriously harm Ashland’s operations and financial performance. In addition, a catastrophic event at one of Ashland’s facilities or involving its products or employees could lead to liabilities that could further impair its operations and financial performance.

Business disruptions, including those related to operating hazards inherent with the production of chemicals, natural disasters, severe weather conditions, supply or logistics disruptions, increasing costs for energy, temporary plant and/or power outages, information technology systems and network disruptions, cyber-security breach, terrorist attacks, armed conflict, war, pandemic diseases, fires, floods or other catastrophic events, could seriously harm Ashland’s operations, as well as the operations of its customers and suppliers, and may adversely impact Ashland’s financial performance. Although it is impossible to predict the occurrence or consequences of any such events, they could result in reduced demand for Ashland’s products, make it difficult or impossible for Ashland to manufacture its products or deliver products and services to its customers or to receive raw materials from suppliers, or create delays and inefficiencies in the supply chain. In addition to leading to a serious disruption of Ashland’s businesses, a catastrophic event at one of our facilities or involving our products or employees could lead to substantial legal liability to or claims by parties allegedly harmed by the event.

While Ashland maintains business continuity plans that are intended to allow it to continue operations or mitigate the effects of events that could disrupt its business, Ashland cannot provide assurances that its plans would fully protect it from all such events. In addition, insurance maintained by Ashland to protect against property damage, loss of business and other related consequences resulting from catastrophic events is subject to various deductibles and coverage limitations, depending on the nature of the risk insured. This insurance may not be sufficient to cover all of Ashland’s damages or damages to others in the event of a catastrophe. In addition, insurance related to these types of risks may not be available now or, if available, may not be available in the future at commercially reasonable rates.

Ashland’s customers could change their products in a way that reduces the demand for Ashland’s products.

Ashland produces and sells specialty materials that are used by its customers for a broad range of applications. Many of these Ashland materials become part of end products that are sold to consumers. Changes in consumer preferences and demands can lead to certain Ashland customers making changes to their products. In other instances, Ashland’s customers may change their

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products or production techniques to take advantage of newer technologies, alternative chemistries, more effective formulations, or improved processes, or in response to various market, technical or regulatory changes.

Such changes in Ashland’s customers’ products or production techniques may cause these customers to reduce consumption of Ashland’s products or eliminate their need entirely. Ashland may not be able to supply products that meet the customers’ new requirements. Such lost sales opportunities may not be replaced by those offering equal revenue potential or margin. It is important for Ashland to continue developing new products, and new applications of existing products to replace such lost business. Otherwise Ashland faces the risk of a loss of market share, margins and cash flow if it is unable to manage a potential change in the demands of its products.

Ashland’s substantial global operations subject it to risks of doing business in foreign countries, which could adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.

Greater than half of Ashland’s net sales for fiscal 2022 are expected to be to customers outside of North America. Ashland expects sales from international markets to continue to represent an even larger portion of the Company’s sales in the future. Also, a significant portion of Ashland’s manufacturing capacity is located outside of the United States. Accordingly, Ashland’s business is subject to risks related to the differing legal, political, cultural, social and regulatory requirements and economic conditions of many jurisdictions.

The global nature of Ashland’s business presents difficulties in hiring and maintaining a workforce in certain countries. Fluctuations in exchange rates may affect product demand and may adversely affect the profitability in U.S. dollars of products and services provided in foreign countries. In addition, foreign countries may impose additional withholding taxes or otherwise tax Ashland’s foreign income, or adopt other restrictions on foreign trade or investment, including currency exchange controls. The imposition of new tariffs or trade quotas, or an impairment of existing trade agreements is also a risk that could impair Ashland’s financial performance.

Certain legal and political risks are also inherent in the operation of a company with Ashland’s global scope. For example, in November 2018, the United States reached an agreement with Canada and Mexico on the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA), which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) effective July 1, 2020. Among other things, USMCA includes revised country of origin rules and various labor provisions. In addition, the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (E.U.) could disrupt European supply chains or customs regimes. Ashland’s ability to do business and execute its growth strategies could be adversely affected by either of these changes or other changes to trade policy and trade relationships. Ashland could also be impacted negatively if the ongoing trade disputes between the United States and China, or those between the United States and the E.U. were to worsen. In addition, it may be more difficult for Ashland to enforce its agreements or collect receivables through foreign legal systems. There is a risk that foreign governments may nationalize private enterprises in certain countries where Ashland operates. In certain countries or regions, terrorist activities and the response to such activities may threaten Ashland’s operations more than those in the United States. In Europe, the effect of economic sanctions imposed on Russia and/or Russia’s reaction to the sanctions could adversely impact Ashland’s performance and results of operations. The risks associated with localized or regional armed conflict in many parts of the world remain high and could disrupt and/or adversely impact Ashland’s businesses. Social and cultural norms in certain countries may not support compliance with Ashland’s corporate policies including those that require compliance with substantive laws and regulations. Also, changes in general economic and political conditions in countries where Ashland operates, particularly in Europe, the Middle East and emerging markets, are a risk to Ashland’s financial performance.

As Ashland continues to operate its business globally, its success will depend, in part, on its ability to anticipate and effectively manage these and other related risks. There can be no assurance that the consequences of these and other factors relating to its multinational operations will not have an adverse effect on Ashland’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

Adverse developments in the global economy and potential disruptions of financial markets could negatively impact Ashland’s customers and suppliers, and therefore have a negative impact on Ashland’s results of operations.

A global or regional economic downturn may reduce customer demand or inhibit Ashland’s ability to produce and sell products. Ashland’s business and operating results are sensitive to global and regional economic downturns, credit market

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tightness, declining consumer and business confidence, fluctuating commodity prices, volatile exchange rates, changes in interest rates, sovereign debt defaults and other challenges, including those related to international sanctions and acts of aggression or threatened aggression that can affect the global economy. In the event of adverse developments or stagnation in the economy or financial markets, Ashland’s customers may experience deterioration of their businesses, reduced demand for their products, cash flow shortages and difficulty obtaining financing. As a result, existing or potential customers might delay or cancel plans to purchase products and may not be able to fulfill their obligations to Ashland in a timely fashion. Further, suppliers may experience similar conditions, which could impact their ability to fulfill their obligations to Ashland. A weakening or reversal of the current economic conditions in the global economy or a substantial part of it could negatively impact Ashland’s business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to grow.

Ashland’s substantial indebtedness may adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition.

Ashland maintains a substantial amount of debt. Ashland’s substantial indebtedness could adversely affect its business, results of operations and financial condition by, among other things:

In addition, Ashland may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow from its operations to repay its indebtedness when it becomes due and to meet its other cash needs. If Ashland is not able to pay its debts as they become due, it could be in default under its credit facility or other indebtedness. Ashland might also be required to pursue one or more alternative strategies to repay indebtedness, such as selling assets, refinancing or restructuring its indebtedness or selling additional debt or equity securities. Ashland may not be able to refinance its debt or sell additional debt or equity securities or its assets on favorable terms, if at all, and if Ashland must sell its assets, it may negatively affect its ability to generate revenues.

Competition

Failure to develop and market new products and production technologies could impact Ashland’s competitive position and have an adverse effect on its businesses and results of operations.

The specialty materials industry is subject to periodic technological change and ongoing product improvements. In order to maintain margins and remain competitive, Ashland must successfully develop and introduce new products or improvements that appeal to its customers and ultimately to global consumers. Ashland plans to grow earnings, in part, by focusing on developing markets and solutions to meet increasing demand in those markets, including demand for personal care and pharmaceutical products which are subject to lengthy regulatory approval processes. The fast change in Ashland’s industry and those of its customers necessitates that Ashland continue the development of new technologies to replace older technologies whose demand or market position may be fading. Ashland’s efforts to respond to changes in customer demand in a timely and cost-efficient manner to drive growth could be adversely affected by difficulties or delays in product development, including the inability to identify viable new products, successfully complete research and development, obtain regulatory approvals, obtain intellectual property protection or gain market acceptance of new products. Due to the lengthy development process, technological challenges

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and intense competition, there can be no assurance that any of the products Ashland is currently developing, or could develop in the future, will achieve substantial commercial success.

The competitive nature of Ashland’s markets may delay or prevent the Company from passing increases in raw materials or energy costs on to its customers. In addition, certain of Ashland’s suppliers may be unable to deliver products or raw materials or fulfill contractual requirements. The occurrence of either event could adversely affect Ashland’s results of operations.

Rising and volatile raw material prices, especially those of hydrocarbon derivatives, cotton linters or wood pulp, may negatively impact Ashland’s costs, results of operations and the valuation of its inventory. Similarly, energy costs are a significant component of certain of Ashland’s product costs. Ashland is not always able to raise prices in response to such increased costs, and its ability to pass on the costs of such price increases is dependent upon market conditions. Likewise, reductions in the valuation of Ashland’s inventory due to market volatility may not be recovered and could result in losses.

Ashland purchases certain products and raw materials from suppliers, often pursuant to written supply contracts. If those suppliers are unable to meet Ashland’s orders in a timely manner or choose to terminate or not fulfill contractual arrangements, Ashland may not be able to make alternative supply arrangements. Also, domestic and global government regulations related to the manufacture, transport or import of certain raw materials may impede Ashland’s ability to obtain those raw materials on commercially reasonable terms. Certain Ashland businesses rely on agricultural output of clary sage, aloe, guar, and cotton linters, and the availability of these materials can be severely impacted by crop yields, weather events, and other factors. If Ashland is unable to obtain and retain qualified suppliers under commercially acceptable terms, its ability to manufacture and deliver products in a timely, competitive and profitable manner or grow its business successfully could be adversely affected.

Ashland faces competition from other companies, which places downward pressure on prices and margins and may adversely affect Ashland’s businesses and results of operations.

Ashland operates in highly competitive markets, competing against a number of domestic and foreign companies. Competition is based on several key criteria, including product performance and quality, product price, product availability and security of supply, responsiveness of product development in cooperation with customers and customer service, as well as the ability to bring innovative products or services to the marketplace. Certain key competitors are significantly larger than Ashland and have greater financial resources, leading to greater operating and financial flexibility. As a result, these competitors may be better able to withstand changes in conditions within the relevant industry, changes in the prices of raw materials and energy and changes in general economic conditions. In addition, competitors’ pricing decisions could compel Ashland to decrease its prices, which could negatively affect its margins and profitability. Additional competition in markets served by Ashland could adversely affect margins and profitability and could lead to a reduction in market share. Also, Ashland competes in certain markets that are declining and has targeted other markets for growth opportunities. Competitive and pricing pressures could also impact Ashland’s production volumes, which can in turn reduce cost efficiency. If Ashland’s strategies for dealing with declining markets and leveraging opportunity markets are not successful, its businesses and results of operations could be negatively affected.

Human Capital

Ashland’s success depends upon its ability to attract and retain key employees and the identification and development of talent to succeed senior management.

Ashland’s success depends on its ability to attract and retain key personnel, and Ashland relies heavily on its management team. The inability to recruit and retain key personnel or the unexpected loss of key personnel may adversely affect Ashland’s operations. Also, a substantial portion of Ashland’s U.S.-based employees will be retirement-eligible within the next several years. That, combined with the relatively small number of middle tier managers with substantial experience in place to replace this group of retirement eligible employees, increases the potential negative impact of the risk that key employees could leave the Company. Additionally, the Company’s redesign and cost reduction program may result in key employees departing who may not be replaced. This risk of unwanted employee turnover also is substantial in positions that require certain technical expertise and geographically in developing markets which Ashland has targeted for growth, especially in Asia, India, South America and Eastern Europe. In addition, because of its reliance on its management team, Ashland’s future success depends, in part, on its ability to identify and develop talent to succeed its senior management and other key positions throughout the

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organization. If Ashland fails to identify and develop successors, the company is at risk of being harmed by the departures of these key employees.

Intellectual Property and Cyber Threats

Ashland uses information technology (IT) systems to conduct business and these IT systems are at risk of potential disruption and cyber security threats.

Ashland’s businesses rely on their IT systems to operate efficiently and in some cases, to operate at all. Ashland employs third parties to manage and maintain a significant portion of its IT systems, including, but not limited to data centers, IT infrastructure, network, client support and end user services, as well as the functions of backing up and securing those systems. A partial or complete failure of Ashland’s IT systems or those of our third parties managing, providing or servicing them for any amount of time more than several hours could result in significant business disruption causing harm to Ashland’s reputation, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, the nature of our businesses, the markets we serve, and the extensive geographic profile of our operations make Ashland a target of cyber security threats. Despite steps Ashland takes to mitigate or eliminate them, cyber security threats in general are increasing and becoming more advanced and could occur as a result of the activity of hackers, employee error or employee misconduct. A breach of our IT systems could lead to the loss and destruction of trade secrets, confidential information, proprietary data, intellectual property, customer and supplier data, and employee personal information, and could disrupt business operations which could adversely affect Ashland’s relationships with business partners and harm our brands, reputation, and financial results.

Ashland may not be able to effectively protect or enforce its intellectual property rights.

Ashland relies on the patent, trademark, trade secret and copyright laws of the United States and other countries to protect its intellectual property rights. The laws of some countries may not protect Ashland’s intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. Failure of foreign countries to have laws to protect Ashland’s intellectual property rights or an inability to effectively enforce such rights in foreign countries could result in the loss of valuable proprietary information, which could have an adverse effect on Ashland’s business and results of operations.

Even in circumstances where Ashland has a patent on certain technologies, such patents may not provide meaningful protection against competitors or against competing technologies. In addition, any patent applications submitted by Ashland may not result in an issued patent. There can be no assurance that Ashland’s intellectual property rights will not be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or rendered unenforceable. Ashland could also face claims from third parties alleging that Ashland’s products or processes infringe on their proprietary rights. If Ashland is found liable for infringement, it could be responsible for significant damages, prohibited from using certain products or processes or required to modify certain products and processes. Any such infringement liability could adversely affect Ashland’s product and service offerings, profitability and results of operations.

Ashland also has substantial intellectual property associated with its know-how and trade secrets that are not protected by patent or copyright laws. Ashland protects these rights by entering into confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with most of its employees and with third parties. There can be no assurance that such agreements will not be breached or that Ashland will be able to effectively enforce them. In addition, Ashland’s trade secrets and know-how may be improperly obtained by other means, such as a breach of Ashland’s information technologies security systems or direct theft. Any unauthorized disclosure of any of Ashland’s material know-how or trade secrets could adversely affect Ashland’s business and results of operations.

Legal Risks, Regulatory Compliance and Litigation

Ashland’s business exposes it to potential product liability claims and recalls, which could adversely affect its financial condition and performance.

The development, manufacture and sale of specialty materials and other products by Ashland, including products produced for the food, beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement industries, involve an inherent risk of exposure to product liability claims, product recalls, product seizures and related adverse publicity. Ashland also produces products that are subject to rigorous specifications and quality standards, with an expectation from its customers around these strict requirements. A product liability claim, recall or judgment against Ashland, or a customer complaint on product specifications,

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could also result in substantial and unexpected expenditures, affect consumer or customer confidence in its products, and divert management’s attention from other responsibilities. Although Ashland maintains product liability insurance, there can be no assurance that this type or level of coverage is adequate or that Ashland will be able to continue to maintain its existing insurance or obtain comparable insurance at a reasonable cost, if at all. A product recall or a partially or completely uninsured product liability judgment against Ashland could have a material adverse effect on its reputation, results of operations and financial condition.

Ashland has incurred, and will continue to incur, substantial costs as a result of environmental, health and safety, and hazardous substances liabilities and related compliance requirements. These costs could adversely impact Ashland’s cash flow, and, to the extent they exceed Ashland’s established reserves for these liabilities, its results of operations.

Ashland is subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws, regulations, rules and ordinances relating to pollution, protection of the environment and human health and safety, and the generation, storage, handling, treatment, disposal and remediation of hazardous substances and waste materials. Ashland has incurred, and will continue to incur, significant costs and capital expenditures to comply with these laws and regulations.

Environmental, health and safety regulations change frequently, and such regulations and their enforcement have tended to become more stringent over time. Accordingly, changes in environmental, health and safety laws and regulations and the enforcement of such laws and regulations could interrupt Ashland’s operations, require modifications to its facilities or cause Ashland to incur significant liabilities, costs or losses that could adversely affect its profitability. Actual or alleged violations of environmental, health or safety laws and regulations could result in restrictions or prohibitions on plant operations as well as substantial damages, penalties, fines, civil or criminal sanctions and remediation costs. In addition, under some environmental laws, Ashland may be strictly liable and/or jointly and severally liable for environmental damages and penalties.

Ashland is also subject to various federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations that require environmental assessment or remediation efforts (collectively, environmental remediation) at multiple locations. Ashland uses engineering studies, historical experience and other factors to identify and evaluate remediation alternatives and their related costs in determining the estimated reserves for environmental remediation. Environmental remediation reserves are subject to numerous inherent uncertainties that affect Ashland’s ability to estimate its share of the applicable costs. Such uncertainties involve the nature and extent of contamination at each site, the extent of required cleanup efforts under existing environmental regulations, widely varying costs of alternate cleanup methods, changes in environmental regulations, the potential effect of continuing improvements in remediation technology and the number and financial strength of other potentially responsible parties at multiparty sites. There may also be situations in which certain environmental liabilities are not known to Ashland or are not probable and estimable. As a result, Ashland’s actual costs for environmental remediation could affect Ashland’s cash flow and, to the extent costs exceed established reserves for those liabilities, its results of operations.

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Ashland is responsible for, and has financial exposure to, liabilities from pending and threatened claims, including those alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos, which could adversely impact Ashland’s results of operations and cash flow.

There are various claims, lawsuits and administrative proceedings pending or threatened, including those alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos, against Ashland and its current and former subsidiaries. Such actions are with respect to commercial matters, product liability, toxic tort liability and other matters that seek remedies or damages, some of which are for substantial amounts. While these actions are being contested, their outcome is not predictable. Ashland’s results could be adversely affected by financial exposure to these liabilities. Insurance maintained by Ashland to protect against claims for damages alleged by third parties is subject to coverage limitations, depending on the nature of the risk insured. This insurance may not be sufficient to cover all of Ashland’s liabilities to others. In addition, insurance related to these types of risks may not be available now or, if available, may not be available in the future at commercially reasonable rates. Ashland’s ability to recover from its insurers for asbestos liabilities could also have an adverse impact on its results of operations. Projecting future asbestos costs is subject to numerous variables that are extremely difficult to predict. In addition to the significant uncertainties surrounding the number of claims that might be received, other variables include the type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, the long latency period associated with asbestos exposure, dismissal rates, costs of medical treatment, the impact of bankruptcies of other companies that are co-defendants in claims, uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, and the impact of potential changes in legislative or judicial standards. Furthermore, any predictions with respect to these variables are subject to even greater uncertainty as the projection period lengthens. In light of these inherent uncertainties, Ashland believes that its asbestos reserves represent the best estimate within a range of possible outcomes. As a part of the process to develop these estimates of future asbestos costs, a range of long-term cost models was developed. These models are based on national studies that predict the number of people likely to develop asbestos-related diseases and are heavily influenced by assumptions regarding long-term inflation rates for indemnity payments and legal defense costs, as well as other variables mentioned previously. Because of the inherent uncertainties in projecting future asbestos liabilities and establishing appropriate reserves, Ashland’s actual asbestos costs could adversely affect its results of operations and, to the extent they exceed its reserves, could adversely affect its results of operations.

The impact of changing laws or regulations or the manner of interpretation or enforcement of existing rules could adversely impact Ashland’s financial performance and restrict its ability to operate its business or execute its strategies.

New laws or regulations, or changes in existing laws or regulations or the manner of their interpretation or enforcement, could increase Ashland’s cost of doing business and restrict its ability to operate its business or execute its strategies. This includes, among other things, the possible taxation under U.S. law of certain income from foreign operations, the possible taxation under foreign laws of certain income Ashland reports in other jurisdictions, tariffs or quotas levied on Ashland products, raw materials or key components by certain countries, regulations related to the protection of private information of Ashland’s employees and customers, regulations issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (and analogous non-U.S. agencies) affecting Ashland and its customers, compliance with The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (and analogous non-U.S. laws) and the European Union’s Registration, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation (and analogous non-EU initiatives), and potential operational impacts of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Uncertainty associated with the passage of new laws, application of executive authority beyond the legislative process, as well as changes in and enforcement of existing laws, can limit Ashland’s ability to make and execute business plans effectively. In addition, compliance with laws and regulations is complicated by Ashland’s substantial and growing global footprint, which will require significant and additional resources to comprehend and ensure compliance with applicable laws in the more than one hundred countries where Ashland conducts business. Compliance with current and future regulations is further complicated by uncertainty around the reevaluation of international agreements by various countries, including the United States, and the resulting impact on regulatory regimes, customs regulations, tariffs, sanctions, and other transnational protocols.

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Taxation

Imposition of new taxes, disagreements with tax authorities or additional tax liabilities could adversely affect Ashland’s business, financial condition, reputation or results of operations.

Ashland’s products are made, manufactured, distributed or sold in more than 100 countries and territories. A significant portion of Ashland’s revenues are generated outside the United States. As such, Ashland is subject to taxes in the United States as well as numerous foreign countries. Ashland’s future effective tax rates could be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in liabilities for uncertain tax positions, cost of repatriations or changes in tax laws, regulations, administrative practices or their interpretation. Moreover, because Ashland is subject to the regular examination of its income tax returns by various tax authorities, the economic and political pressure to increase tax revenues in these jurisdictions may make resolving tax disputes even more difficult, and the final resolution of tax audits and any related litigation may differ from our historical provisions and accruals resulting in an adverse impact on our business, financial condition, reputation or results of operations. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act), enacted in December 2017, made significant changes to US tax law; many other countries or organizations, including those where Ashland has significant operations, are actively considering or enacting changes to tax laws which could significantly impact our tax rate and cash flows. The increasingly complex global tax environment, including changes in how United States multinational corporations are taxed, could adversely affect Ashland’s business, financial condition or results of operations.

Other than the one-time transition tax enacted by the Tax Act, Ashland will continue to be indefinitely reinvested in our foreign earnings. As such, Ashland has not accrued income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on undistributed earnings for most non-US subsidiaries because those earnings are intended to be indefinitely reinvested in the operations of those subsidiaries. If these earnings are needed for Ashland’s operations in the United States, the repatriation of such earnings could adversely affect its business, results of operations or financial condition.

The IPO of Valvoline and final distribution of its shares could result in significant tax liability to Ashland and its stockholders.

Ashland believes that the Valvoline IPO and certain related internal transactions should be nontaxable transactions for U.S. federal income tax purposes and has obtained written opinions of counsel to that effect. Ashland also obtained a written opinion of counsel to the effect that the final distribution should qualify for non-recognition of gain and loss under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The opinions are based on certain assumptions and representations as to factual matters from Ashland and Valvoline, as well as certain covenants by those parties. The opinions cannot be relied upon if any of the assumptions, representations or covenants is incorrect, incomplete or inaccurate or is violated in any material respect, or if there are changes in law with retroactive effect. The opinions are not binding on the IRS or the courts, and it is possible that the IRS or a state or local taxing authority could take the position that the internal transactions, the final distribution or the receipt of proceeds from the Valvoline IPO resulted in the recognition of significant taxable gain by Ashland, in which case Ashland may be subject to material tax liabilities.

If the final distribution were determined not to qualify for non-recognition of gain and loss, then Ashland would recognize gain as if it had sold Valvoline common stock in a taxable transaction in an amount up to the fair market value of the Valvoline common stock it distributed in the final distribution. The tax liability resulting from such gain could have a material impact on Ashland’s operations.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Ashland’s corporate headquarters is located in Wilmington, Delaware. Principal offices of other major operations are located in Wilmington, Delaware (Life Sciences, Specialty Additives, Intermediates and Solvents and Corporate); Bridgewater, New Jersey (Personal Care & Household and Corporate); and Dublin, Ohio (Performance Adhesives and Corporate) within the United States and Hyderabad, India; Warsaw, Poland; and Schaffhausen, Switzerland (each of which are shared service centers of Ashland’s and house Corporate and direct business segment personnel). All of these locations are leased, except for the Wilmington, Delaware site which is owned. Principal manufacturing, marketing and other materially important physical properties of Ashland and its subsidiaries are described within the applicable business units under “Item 1” in this annual report on Form 10-K. All of Ashland’s physical properties are owned or leased. Ashland believes its physical properties are suitable and adequate for the Company’s business. Additional information concerning leases may be found in Note K of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this annual report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The following is a description of Ashland’s material legal proceedings. Ashland’s threshold for disclosing material environmental legal proceedings involving a governmental authority where potential monetary sanctions are involved is $1 million.

Asbestos-Related Litigation

Ashland is subject to liabilities from claims alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos. Such claims result primarily from indemnification obligations undertaken in 1990 in connection with the sale of Riley Stoker Corporation (Riley), a former subsidiary. Although Riley was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos, its industrial boilers contained some asbestos containing components provided by other companies.

Hercules LLC (formerly Hercules Incorporated), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashland, is also subject to liabilities from asbestos-related personal injury lawsuits involving claims which typically arise from alleged exposure to asbestos fibers from resin encapsulated pipe and tank products which were sold by one of Hercules’ former subsidiaries to a limited industrial market.

Ashland and Hercules are also defendants in lawsuits alleging exposure to asbestos at facilities formerly or presently owned or operated by Ashland or Hercules.

For additional detailed information regarding liabilities arising from asbestos-related litigation, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis - Critical Accounting Policies - Asbestos Litigation” and Note N of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Environmental Proceedings

(a) CERCLA and Similar State Law Sites - Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 and similar state laws, Ashland and its subsidiaries may be subject to joint and several liability for cleanup costs in connection with alleged releases of hazardous substances at sites where it has been identified as a “potentially responsible party” (PRP). As of September 30, 2021, Ashland and its subsidiaries have been identified as a PRP by U.S. federal and state authorities, or by private parties seeking contribution, for the cost of environmental investigation and/or cleanup at 81 sites. These sites are currently subject to ongoing investigation and remedial activities, overseen by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) or a state agency, in which Ashland or its subsidiaries are typically participating as a member of a PRP group. Generally, the types of relief sought include remediation of contaminated soil and/or groundwater, reimbursement for past costs of site cleanup and administrative oversight and/or long-term monitoring of environmental conditions at the sites. The ultimate costs are not predictable with assurance.

(b) Lower Passaic River, New Jersey Matters - Ashland, through two formerly owned facilities, and International Specialty Products (ISP), through a now-closed facility, have been identified as PRPs, along with approximately 70 other companies (the

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Cooperating Parties Group or the CPG), in a May 2007 Administrative Order of Consent (AOOC) with the USEPA. The parties are required to perform a remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) of the entire 17 miles of the Passaic River. In June 2007, the USEPA separately commenced a Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) as an interim measure. In accordance with the 2007 AOOC, in June 2012 the CPG voluntarily entered into another AOOC for an interim removal action focused solely at mile 10.9 of the Passaic River. The allocations for the 2007 AOOC and the 2012 removal action are based on interim allocations, are immaterial and have been accrued. In April 2014, the USEPA released the FFS. The CPG submitted the Draft RI/FS Report on April 30, 2015. The USEPA has released the FFS Record of Decision for the lower 8 miles and reached an agreement with another chemical company to conduct and pay for the remedial design. This chemical company has sued Ashland, ISP and numerous other defendants to recover past and future costs pursuant to the CERCLA. Ashland’s motion to dismiss was partially granted, and the surviving claims are in the early stages of discovery. Ashland and ISP are participating in an USEPA allocation process. The release of the FFS Record of Decision, the current allocations proceedings and the lawsuit are not expected to be material to Ashland.

For additional information regarding environmental matters and reserves, see Note N of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this annual report on Form 10-K.

Other Pending Legal Proceedings

In addition to the matters described above, there are other various claims, lawsuits and administrative proceedings pending or threatened against Ashland and its current and former subsidiaries. Such actions are with respect to commercial matters, product liability, toxic tort liability, employment matters and other environmental matters which seek remedies or damages, some of which are for substantial amounts. While Ashland cannot predict with certainty the outcome of such actions, it believes that adequate reserves have been recorded and losses already recognized with respect to such actions were immaterial as of September 30, 2021. There is a reasonable possibility that a loss exceeding amounts already recognized may be incurred related to these actions; however, Ashland believes that such potential losses were immaterial as of September 30, 2021.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM X. INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following is a list of Ashland’s current executive officers, their ages and their positions and offices during the last five years.

GUILLERMO NOVO (age 59) is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ashland Global Holdings Inc. since December 31, 2019. Mr. Novo has served as a director of Ashland’s Board since May 22, 2019. Most recently, Mr. Novo served as the President and CEO of Versum Materials, Inc., a premier specialty materials company, and was a member of the board of directors. Previously, Mr. Novo served as Executive Vice President, Materials Technologies of Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (“Air Products”), an industrial gases and related equipment company, from 2014 to 2016. He joined Air Products in September 2012 as Senior Vice President Electronics, Performance Materials, Strategy and Technology. Mr. Novo also served as a director of Bemis Company until May 2019.

J. KEVIN WILLIS (age 56) is Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ashland Global Holdings Inc. since September 2016. Mr. Willis held the same positions at Ashland Inc. and served in such capacities since May 2013.

YVONNE WINKLER VON MOHRENFELS (age 55) is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Ashland Global Holdings Inc. since January 2021. Previously, Ms. Winkler von Mohrenfels served as Deputy General Counsel with Ashland from June 2020 to December 2020; Assistant General Council from February 2019 to May 2020; Senior Group Council from August 2016 to February 2019; Group Council from October 2014 to July 2016 and Senior Council from August 2011 to September 2014.

XIAOLAN WANG (age 57) is Senior Vice President and General Manager, Personal Care & Household of Ashland Global Holdings Inc. since February 2020. Most recently, Dr. Wang served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Business Line Interface and Performance from January 2019 to January 2020 and Senior Vice President and General Manager, Business Line Household Care from April 2016 to December 2018 of Evonik Nutrition & Care at Evonik Industries AG. Previously, Dr. Wang served as Senior Vice President of Evonik Nutrition & Care Asia North from January 2015 to March 2016 and Senior Vice President of Evonik Consumer Specialties Asia from July 2013 to December 2014 at Evonik Industries AG.

MIN CHONG (age 50) is Senior Vice President and General Manager, Specialty Additives and Intermediates and Solvents of Ashland Global Holdings Inc. since January 2020. Most recently, Mr. Chong served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Crosslinkers at Evonik Industries AG/ADR from January 2017 to December 2019. Previously, Mr. Chong served as Vice President and General Manager, Epoxy Curing Agents from January 2015 to December 2017 and Vice President and General Manager, Performance Materials Asia from January 2013 to December 2014 at Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

ASHOK S. KALYANA (age 49) is Senior Vice President and General Manager, Life Sciences since January 2020. Most recently, Mr. Kalyana was Vice President Business Development and Commercial, APAC at Tate & Lyle Asia Pacific PTE LTD from August 2019 to January 2020. Previously, Mr. Kalyana was the APAC Business Director, Coatings from November 2015 to July 2019 and Global Marketing Director, Coatings from January 2014 to November 2019 at Dow Chemical Co.

OSAMA M. MUSA (age 53) is Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Ashland Global Holdings Inc. since November 2018. Previously, Dr. Musa served as Vice President, ASI Technology from November 2014 to November 2018 and Vice President, Technology and Innovation of Ashland from August 2012 until November 2014.

ERIC N. BONI (age 52) is Vice President, Finance and Principal Accounting Officer of Ashland Global Holdings Inc. since January 2020. Previously, Mr. Boni served as Vice President, Finance from January 2019 to January 2020 and Vice President, Finance and Treasurer from September 2016 to January 2019 of Ashland Global Holdings Inc. Mr. Boni served as Vice President and Treasurer of Ashland Inc. from December 2011 to September 2016.

Each executive officer is elected by the Board of Directors of Ashland to a term of one year, or until a successor is duly elected, at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors, except in those instances where the officer is elected other than at an annual meeting of the Board of Directors, in which case his or her tenure will expire at the next annual meeting of the Board of Directors unless the officer is re-elected.

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PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

On September 20, 2016, Ashland Inc. became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Ashland Global Holdings Inc., and Ashland Inc.’s common stock ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Ashland Global Holdings Inc.’s common stock began trading on NYSE under the symbol “ASH” on September 20, 2016.

At October 31, 2021, there were approximately 9,392 holders of record of Ashland’s Common Stock. Ashland Common Stock is listed on the NYSE (ticker symbol ASH) and has trading privileges on Nasdaq.

There were no sales of unregistered securities required to be reported under Item 5 of Form 10-K.

FIVE-YEAR TOTAL RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph compares Ashland’s five-year cumulative total shareholder return with the cumulative total return of the S&P MidCap 400† index and one peer group of companies. Ashland is listed in the S&P MidCap 400† index. The cumulative total shareholder return assumes the reinvestment of dividends. On May 12, 2017, Ashland completed the final separation of Valvoline Inc. with the pro rata distribution of 2.745338 shares of Valvoline Inc. common stock for every share of Ashland Common Stock to Ashland stockholders. The effect of the final separation of Valvoline Inc. is reflected in the cumulative total return of Ashland Common Stock as a reinvested dividend.

COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

ASHLAND, S&P MIDCAP 400† INDEX AND PEER GROUP

The peer group consists of the following industry indices:

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Purchase of Company Common Stock

Share repurchase activity during the three months ended September 30, 2021 was as follows:

(a) During March 2018, Ashland’s Board of Directors approved a new $1 billion stock repurchase program, which replaced the previous stock repurchase program. The Company's stock repurchase program does not obligate it to acquire any specific number of shares. Under the program, shares may be repurchased in privately negotiated and/or open market transactions, including under plans complying with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act. On September 2, 2021 Ashland entered into a $450 million accelerated share repurchase agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank, NA with an initial delivery of 3.9 million Ashland shares. The repurchase amount is part of the Board approved stock repurchase program. The agreement is scheduled to terminate no later than March 31, 2022, but may terminate sooner under certain circumstances. As of September 30, 2021, $350 million remains available for repurchase under this authorization.

(b) Final average price paid per share, including commission, will be determined upon completion of the accelerated share repurchase.

ITEM 6. [RESERVED]

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations on pages M-1 through M-43.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

See Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk on page M-43.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The consolidated financial statements of Ashland presented in this annual report on Form 10-K are listed in the index on page F-1.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures – As of September 30, 2021, Ashland, under the supervision and with the participation of Ashland’s management, including Ashland’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of Ashland’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2021.

Internal Control over Financial Reporting - See Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting on page F-2 and the Reports of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on pages F-3 and F-4.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting – During fiscal 2021, Ashland completed its purchase of Schülke. Although management believes appropriate internal controls and procedures have been maintained, Schülke's controls and procedures for the recording, processing and summarizing of financial information have not been fully evaluated by Ashland's management as of September 30, 2021. Otherwise, there have been no changes in Ashland’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Ashland’s internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

On November 18, 2021, the Board of Directors of Ashland approved an updated Form of Chief Executive Officer Change in Control Agreement (Form of CEO CIC Agreement) attached hereto as Exhibit 10.69 and incorporated herein by reference. On November 19, 2021, Mr. Guillermo Novo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ashland signed a new change in control agreement substantially in the form of the Form of CEO CIC Agreement.

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PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

There is hereby incorporated by reference the information to appear under the caption “Proposal One - Election of Directors” in Ashland’s Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after September 30, 2021. See also the list of Ashland’s executive officers and related information under “Information About Our Executive Officers” in Part I - Item X in this annual report on Form 10-K.

There is hereby incorporated by reference the information to appear under the caption “Corporate Governance - Governance Principles” in Ashland’s Proxy Statement.

There is hereby incorporated by reference the information to appear under the caption “Corporate Governance - Stockholder Nominations of Directors” in Ashland’s Proxy Statement.

There is hereby incorporated by reference the information to appear under the caption “Audit Committee Report” regarding Ashland’s audit committee and audit committee financial experts, as defined under Item 407(d)(4) and (5) of Regulation S-K in Ashland’s Proxy Statement.

There is hereby incorporated by reference the information to appear under the caption “Corporate Governance – Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” in Ashland’s Proxy Statement.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

There is hereby incorporated by reference the information to appear under the captions “Compensation of Directors,” “Corporate Governance - Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” and “Executive Compensation,” in Ashland’s Proxy Statement.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

There is hereby incorporated by reference the information to appear under the captions “Ashland Common Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners,” and “Ashland Common Stock Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers of Ashland” in Ashland’s Proxy Statement.

The following table summarizes the equity compensation plans under which Ashland Common Stock may be issued as of September 30, 2021.

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(1) This figure includes 169,024 net shares that could be issued under stock-settled SARs under the Amended and Restated 2011 Ashland Inc. Incentive Plan (“2011 Incentive Plan”), 264,639 net shares that could be issued under stock-settled SARs, 7,175 net shares that could be issued under stock-settled SARs, 9,240 shares that could be issued under stock-settled restricted stock units under the Amended and Restated 2015 Ashland Global Holdings Inc. Incentive Plan (“2015 Incentive Plan”), 66,239 shares that could be issued under stock settled restricted stock units under the Ashland Global Holdings Inc. 2018 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2018 Omnibus Plan”), based upon the closing price of Ashland Common Stock on the NYSE as of September 30, 2021 of $89.12. Additionally, this figure includes 78,262 performance units for the fiscal 2018-2020 performance period payable in Ashland Common Stock under the 2015 Incentive Plan, 2,460 performance units for the fiscal 2019-2021 performance period payable in Ashland Common Stock under the 2018 Omnibus Plan and 158,905 performance units for the fiscal 2020-2022 performance period payable in Ashland Common Stock under the 2018 Omnibus Plan, estimated assuming target performance is achieved. Also included in the figure are 17,647 shares to be issued under the pre-2005 Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees payable in Ashland Common Stock upon termination of employment or service with Ashland.

(2) The weighted-average exercise price excludes shares in Ashland Common Stock which may be distributed under the deferred compensation plans and the deferred restricted stock, and performance share units and restricted stock units which may be distributed under the 2011 Incentive Plan, the 2015 Incentive Plan and the 2018 Omnibus Plan, as described in footnotes (1) and (4) in this table.

(3) This figure includes 6,744,296 available for issuance under the Ashland Global Holdings Inc. 2021 Omnibus Plan, 122,374 shares available for issuance under the pre-2005 Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees (closed) and 369,766 shares available for issuance under the pre-2005 Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (closed). Under the 2018 Incentive Plan, full-value awards, which include all awards other than stock options and SARs, reduce the share reserve on a 2-to-1 basis. The remaining balance of shares available for grant under the 2018 Omnibus Plan are now available for grant under the 2021 Omnibus Plan and are included in the numbers of shares available for issuance under the 2021 Omnibus Plan. This figure also includes 80,311 shares available for issuance under the 2006 Incentive Plan, 2,564,522 shares available for issuance under the 2011 Incentive Plan and 463,901 shares available for issuance under the 2015 Incentive Plan; however, these plans are closed for new issuances and the only shares remaining to be issued are shares paid in lieu of dividends and for the 2015 Incentive Plan, shares to be issued for unvested performance units and restricted stock units.

(4) This figure includes 38,382 shares to be issued under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees (2005), which is described in the “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation-Ashland Employees’ Deferral Plan” section of Ashland’s proxy statement, and 11,980 shares to be issued under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (2005), which is described in the “Compensation of Directors” section of Ashland’s proxy statement, payable in Ashland Common Stock upon termination of employment or service with Ashland. Because these plans are not equity compensation plans as defined by the rules of the NYSE, neither plan required approval by Ashland’s stockholders.

(5) This figure includes 618,766 shares available for issuance under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Employees (2005) and 664,270 shares available for issuance under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (2005). Because these plans are not equity compensation plans as defined by the rules of the NYSE, neither plan required approval by Ashland’s stockholders.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

There is hereby incorporated by reference the information to appear under the captions “Corporate Governance - Director Independence and Certain Relationships,” “Corporate Governance - Related Person Transaction Policy,” and “Audit Committee Report” in Ashland’s Proxy Statement.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

There is hereby incorporated by reference the information with respect to principal accounting fees and services to appear under the captions “Audit Committee Report” and “Proposal Two - Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accountants” in Ashland’s Proxy Statement.

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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) Documents filed as part of this Report

(1) Financial Statements; and

(2) See Item 15(b) in this annual report on Form 10-K

The consolidated financial statements of Ashland presented in this annual report on Form 10-K are listed in the index on page F-1.

Schedules other than that listed above have been omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required or because the information required is shown in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto. Separate financial statements of unconsolidated affiliates are omitted because each company does not constitute a significant subsidiary using the 20% tests when considered individually.

(b) Documents required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K

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