Ashland announces new distribution agreement for composites and structural adhesives in France

BARCELONA, Spain – Ashland Performance Materials, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), has signed a new distribution agreement that covers its complete portfolio of high-performance composites and structural adhesives products in France. Effective Dec. 1, GRPMS will take over Ashland’s distribution and agency accounts from Azelis France (Arnaud S.A.), and will distribute Ashland’s full line of polyester, acrylic, phenolic and vinyl ester resins, including the Derakane™ resin brand. Also included in the agreement for the French composites market are the Pliogrip™ branded structural adhesives, as well as premium gelcoats and low-profile additives.

GRPMS, an UMECO company, is currently the distributor for Ashland’s complete portfolio of high-performance composites products to manufacturers in the UK, Scandinavia and Estonia. The two companies also entered into an agreement covering Finland that went into effect Oct. 1.

“For nearly 30 years, Ashland and GRPMS have been building a strong partnership focused on serving composites manufacturers in markets across Europe,” said Stefan Osterwind, commercial director, Europe, Ashland Performance Materials. “We look forward to leveraging GRPMS’ experience with Ashland’s products and innovative composites applications. In addition, their extensive logistics network will help us continue to drive improvements in our supply and delivery capabilities for customers in France. Our immediate focus is on the transfer of technical knowledge and front-line resources to GRPMS to support the current and future needs of our customers in this key market.”

“We are excited for this opportunity to expand on our long-term relationship with Ashland,” said Anthony Bibby, managing director, GRPMS Ltd. “Ashland’s portfolio of technologies is recognized in the industry for their performance and versatility in a variety of applications, and we are committed to delivering improved logistics and technical service capabilities to composites customers in France.”

Ashland will be working jointly with Azelis to transition composites customers in France to GRPMS by Dec. 1. For more information about Ashland’s composites and structural adhesives products and services available in France, please contact:
• Fabrice Defrance
Business Manager
GRPMS France
Tel: +33 (0)6 07 30 10 21
E-mail: fabrice.defrance@grpms.com

• Olli Piiroinen
Group Business Development Manager
GRPMS Europe
Tel: +35 8 503 84 23 13
E-mail: olli.piiroinen@grpms.com

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, and metal casting consumables and design services.

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 used every day in applications from automotive, food and beverages, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, and paper and tissue to durable goods and infrastructure, including building and construction, energy and water treatment. Visit www.ashland.com to see the innovations we offer through our five commercial units -- Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution.

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