Ashland Hercules Water Technologies to raise sizing and wet strength resin prices globally

WILMINGTON, Del. — Effective immediately, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), will initiate price increases globally for all sizing agents (AKD, ASA and rosin-based), all wet strength resins and specialty resin additives as contract and indexed-based pricing allows. Price adjustments will range from 5 to15 percent and will be primarily based on regional raw material cost impact.

Ashland Hercules Water Technologies is the number one global producer of papermaking chemicals and is a leading specialty chemicals supplier to the pulp and paper, industrial and institutional, mining and municipal markets. Its water treatment, process and functional chemistries are used to improve operational efficiencies, to enhance product quality, to protect plant assets, and to ensure environmental compliance.

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