Displaying items by tag: ashland

Ashland Inc. has announced the launch of a newly designed company website — www.ashland.com — with many significant enhancements to make it simpler and more useful for its customers, communities and investors. At its core, the new site features expanded product information with easy access to Ashland's broad portfolio of specialty chemical products.

It's not just about products, however. It's the people of Ashland, their talents and dedication that also come alive in video examples that show customers discussing the advantages of working with Ashland.

The new website makes it easy to conduct business with Ashland around the world. Expansive and readily available information for contacting sellers, customer service agents, chemists, applications specialists and other representatives in more than 100 countries is easily accessed, along with tools for posing questions.

From the home page visitors can find solutions by product name, market, application or product type; contact a representative; learn more about Ashland operations and history or inquire about career opportunities with the company. Ashland-featured news is also posted on the home page and RSS feeds are available so visitors can stay up-to-date on Ashland activities.

"We are extremely pleased to bring this new website online so that Ashland's many stakeholders can obtain the information or support they need," said Susan Esler, chief human resources and communications officer. "The website showcases Ashland's expertise in specialty chemicals and delivers on our company promise, 'With good chemistry great things happen.' We expect that visitors from the media, industry, financial arena, education or the general public will be surprised by discovering numerous intriguing examples of how Ashland's chemistry is solving problems, advancing various industries and improving our lives in so many ways."

Driven to improve chemical handling safety for customers, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), is introducing the Ultra-Serv™ SOLID chemical delivery system. The new system eliminates the hazards and concerns associated with transporting liquid chemicals within commercial, institutional and industrial facilities where workers or others must contend with potential exposure.

“Our customers are very excited about this innovative way to manage their water treatment program,” said Andrew Ledlie, manager, platform launch, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies. “We not only have improved the safety associated with liquid chemical water treatment programs, but by reducing the volume of chemical used by 50 to 90 percent, we have also reduced the energy use associated with the production and distribution of those chemicals. It’s a significant step toward a sustainable and eco-friendly solution for commercial water treatment.”

Ashland formulation scientists were able to transform the company’s PerforMax™ liquid water treatment chemistry into a solid form that is activated within the Ultra-Serv SOLID chemical delivery system. The new formulation coupled with the enclosed system improves safety, reduces chemical delivery costs, eliminates thousands of pounds of plastic from the waste stream, eliminates hundreds of hours of time associated with liquid chemical handling, and reduces fuel consumption and associated carbon emissions.

Effective water treatment is essential to protecting critical heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems from scale, corrosion and bacteria; however, handling the necessary chemicals is time consuming and has potential risks. In fact handling chemicals is not an everyday event in most commercial facilities, which can increase the potential for accidents, injury and chemical spills. The Ultra-Serv SOLID chemical delivery system addresses these concerns. The system has already been proven successful in a variety of commercial applications including some campus locations.

People interested in learning more about the Ultra-Serv SOLID chemical delivery system should contact Andrew Ledlie at 905-544-8169 or by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. A video demonstration is also available for Ashland’s Ultra-Serv SOLID chemical delivery system.

™Trademark of Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries

Ashland Inc.has announced that its board of directors approved a $400 million stock repurchase program. Under the program, the company's common shares will be purchased through a combination of a 10b5-1 automatic trading plan and discretionary purchases on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The amount and timing of any purchases will depend on a number of factors, including trading price, trading volume and general market conditions.

In addition, the board intends to increase the annual dividend to 70 cents per share from its current annual rate of 60 cents per share, commencing with the June 15 dividend payment.

"The implementation of this stock repurchase program reflects our view that the market has not yet fully recognized the value of Ashland today," said James J. O'Brien, Ashland's chairman and chief executive officer. "This program and the contemplated dividend increase enable us to continue rewarding shareholders in a variety of ways, while retaining the financial flexibility to support our existing growth plans. These actions provide yet another indication of the board's confidence in Ashland's overall strategy and enhanced cash-generating capabilities."

As of Dec. 31, 2010, there were 79,040,152 shares of Ashland common stock outstanding.

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, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, 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.

Ashland Inc. has announced that James J. O'Brien, Ashland's chairman and chief executive officer, will undergo surgery to repair a perforated colon resulting from diverticulitis.

Throughout his recovery, Mr. O'Brien will be available on a limited basis. He is expected to return to his full duties in approximately two to three months. During this period, Mr. O'Brien's chairman duties will be assumed by Mr. Barry W. Perry, lead independent director of the board; and his executive duties will be assumed jointly by Lamar M. Chambers, Ashland's senior vice president and chief financial officer, and David L. Hausrath, Ashland's senior vice president and general counsel.

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, personal care, pharmaceutical, tissue and towel, 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, such as expectations regarding our chief executive officer and other future events. These forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions, including those mentioned within this news release. Other risks and uncertainties include those that are described in filings made by Ashland with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q, which are available on Ashland's website at http://investor.ashland.com or at www.sec.gov. Ashland believes its expectations are reasonable, but cannot assure they will be achieved. Forward-looking information may prove to be inaccurate, and actual results may differ significantly from those anticipated. Ashland is not obligated to subsequently update or revise the forward-looking statements made in this news release.

SOURCE Ashland Inc.

Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc., will increase prices immediately for its portfolio of polyacrylamide chemistries sold in North America by a minimum of 5 to 15 percent, or as contracts allow. In addition, other Water Technologies treatment products will realize an increase of 7 to 15 percent. This increase is in addition to the November action taken to manage increased costs.

A persistent increase in raw material prices is driving this price increase. "Steep escalation of several critical raw materials, energy and transportation costs make these increases necessary. We will continue to work in partnership with our customers to help mitigate these increases," said Guy West, vice president, commercial, for Ashland Hercules Water Technologies. "Responding to changing market conditions enables us to continue our industry-leading product support and deliver value to our customers."

Ashland Performance Materials, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), is increasing the price of its complete portfolio of unsaturated polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, gelcoats, pigments and additives sold in North America by 5 cents per pound effective March 1, or as agreements allow.

"Ashland makes every effort to mitigate the impact of continued rising raw material costs and other factors that influence product pricing," said Gary Landsettle, commercial vice president for North America, Ashland Performance Materials. "Responding to changing market conditions allows Ashland to continue to provide innovative products and industry-leading product support that add value for customers."

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

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provides specialty chemical products, services and solutions for many of the world's most essential industries. Serving customers in more than 100 countries, it operates through five commercial units: Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.

Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), is increasing the price of its Natrosol® hydroxyethylcellulose products by 8 percent effective March 1, or as contracts allow.

The price increase is necessary to offset the recent cost increases of key raw materials used to manufacture hydroxyethylcellulose. Responding to changing market conditions allows Ashland to continue to invest in new capacity and product innovation.

Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients is the global leader in the production of products that manage the physical properties of aqueous and non-aqueous systems. Our products perform in a variety of applications including thickening and rheology control, water retention, adhesive strength, binding power, film formation, conditioning and deposition, colloid stabilization, suspending, and emulsifying action.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) provides specialty chemical products, services and solutions for many of the world's most essential industries. Serving customers in more than 100 countries, it operates through five commercial units: Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients, Ashland Hercules Water Technologies, Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Consumer Markets (Valvoline) and Ashland Distribution. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com

Natrosol® Registered trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries