Ashland Inc. Executive to Speak at Global Chemical Industry Conference

COVINGTON, Ky., Dec. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gary A. Cappeline, president and chief operating officer, Chemical Sector, Ashland Inc., will present the opening keynote address at the Chemical Industry Global Outlook 2005 Conference in New York City this week. Cappeline will speak to the conference at the Westin Hotel at Times Square on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 10:45 a.m.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040113/ASHLANDLOGO )

His remarks will examine trends and challenges facing today's global chemical industry, and he will share his insights into what will distinguish successful, value-creating companies in the future.

The presentation will be available and archived on the Ashland Inc. website, http://www.ashland.com , beginning Friday, Dec. 10. Copies of the presentation can also be requested by sending an e-mail to mediarelations@ashland.com , or by calling 614-790-3715.

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

SOURCE  Ashland Inc.
    -0-                             12/06/2004
    /CONTACT:  Jim Vitak of Ashland Inc., +1-614-790-3715, or
jevitak@ashland.com /
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    /Web site:  http://www.ashland.com/
    (ASH)

CO:  Ashland Inc.
ST:  Kentucky, Ohio, Georgia
IN:  CHM OIL TRN
SU:  CCA MAV

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1967 12/06/2004 08:00 EST http://www.prnewswire.com

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Statements in this press release regarding Ashland's business which are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year.