Ashland to increase South American prices for composites resins

SÃO PAULO, Brazil - Ashland Performance Materials, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), today announced it will increase South American prices for unsaturated polyester resins, epoxy vinyl ester resins and gelcoats sold into the composites market by USD $0.17 per kilogram. The new prices will be effective beginning Sept. 1, 2012, or as contracts allow.

The company attributed the price increase to continued escalation in costs for key raw materials and production of these products.  Responding to these changing market conditions allows Ashland to continue investing in the support and growth of the market and our 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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Media Relations
SLEA Comunicação
Silvio de Andrade
+55 11 3554-0497 / +55 11 98181-8186
silvio@slea.com.br