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11 Apr 2007  -  United States

Ashland builds strength in European transportation composites market

Building upon a history of innovation in composite technology, Ashland Composite Polymers, a business group of Ashland Performance Materials, a division of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), welcomes Jean Philippe LeCointe to Ashland as technical service manager for Ashland’s European composite transportation business. LeCointe will assist customers in new product launches and technical support for Ashland.

“Jean Philippe brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in composite sheet molding compounds (SMC) and low-profile additives to our European operations,” said Sara Frattini, marketing specialist for Ashland’s transportation and specialty products in Europe.

In addition to adding experienced personnel, Ashland recently expanded its manufacturing capacity of NEULON® low-profile additives at its Sauveterre, France, production facility. The expansion precedes the introduction of two new low-profile additive products in Europe: NEULON 575 and NEULON 577 LPAs. Early customer trials have demonstrated that both products provide Class A surface finishes that exceed original equipment manufacturer (OEM) quality criteria before and after high-temperature paint-bake cycling.

Ashland’s European customers are also now supported by ISO-certified laboratories in Italy, France and Germany, in addition to Ashland’s Global Technology Center in Dublin, Ohio (USA). “Taken together, these investments have been part of a planned expansion to better serve Ashland’s SMC/BMC customers in Europe,” said Cedric Ball, global marketing manager for transportation.

Ashland Composite Polymers is a leader in supplying products, processes and technologies to the global marketplace for composites and gelcoats.

Ashland Performance Materials is a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of specialty chemicals and customized services to the building and construction, packaging and converting, transportation, marine and metal casting industries. It is a technology leader in metal casting consumables and design services; unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins and gelcoats; and high-performance adhesives and specialty resins.

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), a diversified, global chemical company, provides quality products, services and solutions to customers in more than 100 countries. A FORTUNE 500 company, it operates through four wholly owned divisions: Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline and Ashland Water Technologies.

Source : Ashland