Ashland and Flint Group Sign Distribution Agreement

DUBLIN, OH—March 7, 2011—Coatings and adhesives from Ashland Performance Materials, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc., that are marketed to North American narrow web label, tag and wrapper converters, will now also be available from Flint Group. Effective March 15, 2011, Ashland and Flint Group will begin a distribution and co-branding effort that calls for Flint Group to begin marketing Ashland products under a co-branded label that will carry the Flint Group trademark or trade name.

The long-term agreement enables Flint to distribute Ashland’s full range of radiation-cure, water-based and solventless laminating adhesives and coatings in North America. Flint Group will also acquire the management of some Ashland customers and will provide them with dedicated sales, technical service and customer service support. Ashland will maintain its industry leadership position and continue its focus on innovation and providing next generation technology and products to customers.

“Flint Group is a world-class organization that brings a strong market presence to Ashland’s coatings and adhesive products,” said Kelly Williams, market development manager for Ashland’s Laminating Adhesives and Coatings. “Flint Group’s capabilities reach all of our key markets, and they bring top-notch commercial and technical staff with demonstrated abilities to grow business.”

Susan Kuchta, vice president of the North American Packaging and Narrow Web business for Flint Group, is excited about the growth opportunity for both companies. “We were chosen due to our strength and stature in the printing industry. We are proud of our broad offering and excellent customer support. This relationship adds other key products to our portfolio in order to better support package and label printers,” said Kuchta.

“We see this move as a natural first step in a long-term strategic alliance between two world-class companies,” said David Hatgas, global director, Packaging and Converting, Ashland Performance Materials.

About Flint Group
Flint Group is dedicated to serving the global printing and packaging industry. The company develops, manufactures and markets an extensive portfolio of printing consumables, including: a vast range of conventional and energy curable inks and coatings for most offset, flexographic and gravure applications; pressroom chemicals, printing blankets and sleeves for offset printing; photopolymer printing plates and sleeves, plate-making equipment and flexographic sleeve systems; and pigments and additives for use in inks and other colourant applications. With a strong customer focus, unmatched service and support, and superior products, Flint Group strives to provide exceptional value, consistent quality and continuous innovation to customers around the world. Headquartered in Luxembourg, Flint Group employs some 7300 people. Revenues for 2009 were € 2.1 billion (US $2.9 billion). On a worldwide basis, the company is the number one or number two supplier in every major market segment it serves. For more information, please visit www.flintgrp.com.

About Ashland
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, structural and laminating adhesives and coatings.

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.

Source: Company release.