Ashland to increase global prices of IPBC-based fungicides

WILMINGTON, Del. – Ashland Specialty Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), is increasing the price of its Fungitrol™ 400S technical iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (IPBC) fungicide (North America), Fungitrol C450 technical IPBC fungicide (Europe), and IPBC-based formulations globally. The Fungitrol 400S and C450 technical IPBC fungicide price increase will be 52 percent, while the formulations will increase accordingly. The increase is effective for shipments after January 1, 2012 or as contracts allow.

This price increase is necessary to offset the recent price escalations in iodine, a key raw material used in the manufacture of IPBC. Iodine prices have continued to dramatically increase over the past several months, resulting in a negative impact on the current manufacturing economics of IPBC. Passing on this increase is required to ensure continued investment can be made in this product area.

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 offers 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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