Ashland to launch guar alternatives for China market at Food Ingredients China 2012

SHANGHAI, China – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), will introduce Aquacel™ cellulose gum grades specifically formulated for the China market at Food Ingredients China (FIC) 2012 to be held March 28-30. The two new cellulose gum grades have been formulated for specific uses in noodles and dairy products.

“The volatility in guar availability and pricing, caused in large part by oil and gas industry demand, has formulators searching for a replacement,” explained Laurie Kronenberg, new product leader, Nutrition Specialties, Ashland Specialty Ingredients. “Cellulose gum is a cost-effective alternative for beverage, bakery and dairy applications.”  

“Through research and innovation, we help our customers to meet the market’s current and future needs,” added Bob Liu, senior scientist, Nutrition Specialties, Asia Pacific, Ashland Specialty Ingredients. “The new grades of Aquacel cellulose gum have been developed by a global team to maximize synergies with guar gum, giving formulators flexibility in blending ratios and overall hydrocolloid dose. As such, these new cellulose gum grades offer formulators a strong alternative to guar.”

FIC is the largest and most authoritative international show for food additives and ingredients in Asia. At this year’s show, Mark Hines, principal scientist, Nutrition Specialties, Ashland Specialty Ingredients, will present a technical seminar focused on how these two new grades of cellulose gum can help alleviate some of the pressure facing food manufacturers from guar shortages.

“Ashland offers a wide range of health and nutrition ingredients by leveraging our global network of research scientists. Our focus is to provide product solutions that help our customers develop healthier and more nutritious products,” said Nandu Dhekne, vice president, Asia Pacific, Ashland Specialty Ingredients. “In other words, we bring health to everyday life.”

Ashland is a world leader in cellulosic food ingredients, with our products meeting formulation customers’ health, convenience, quality and processing requirements in major food applications. Ashland creates value through applications knowledge, market insight and a powerful product portfolio, including: Aquacel, Aquasorb™, Aqualon™ and Bondwell™ cellulose gum (CMC); Benecel™ MC and HPMC, Klucel™ and Aerowhip™ HPC and Supercol™ guar gum.

Ashland Specialty Ingredients offers industry-leading products, technologies and resources for solving formulation and product performance challenges in key markets including personal care, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, coatings and energy. Using natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic polymers derived from plant and seed extract, cellulose ethers and vinyl pyrrolidones, Ashland Specialty Ingredients provides comprehensive and innovative solutions for today's demanding consumer and industrial applications.

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:
Media Relations
Helen Pei
+86 21 2402 4863
bpei@ashland.com