Ashland to increase resin and gelcoat prices for EMEA

BARCELONA, Spain – Ashland Performance Materials, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), is increasing the prices of its complete portfolio of epoxy vinyl ester resins, unsaturated polyester resins and gelcoats sold in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) by 75 euros per ton. The increase will take effect Sept.1, 2012, or at the earliest possible time depending on individual customer contracts.

The pricing action is primarily driven by the continued escalation in costs for key raw materials at Ashland's manufacturing units. Responding to changing market conditions allows Ashland to continue to provide innovative products and industry-leading support that add value for customers

Ashland Performance Materials is the global leader in unsaturated polyester resins and vinyl ester resins. In addition, it provides customers with leading technologies in gelcoats, pressure-sensitive and structural adhesives, coatings and elastomers.

In more than 100 countries, the people of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provide the specialty chemicals, technologies and insights to help customers create new and improved products for today and sustainable solutions for tomorrow. Our chemistry is at work every day in a wide variety of markets and applications, including architectural coatings, automotive, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, and water treatment. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our four commercial units – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, Ashland Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Consumer Markets.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Jennifer Knoblach
+31 10 497-5529
jknoblach@ashland.com