BARENTZ

Barentz becomes exclusive distributor in Bulgaria and Romania for Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients

Hoofddorp/Rijswijk, March 30, 2009

ASHLAND

Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients (AAFI) a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Barentz in Bulgaria and Romania effective April 1, 2009.

Barentz will represent AAFI’s full line of products used primarily in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemical industries where the following functional properties are desired:

  • thickening and rheology control
  • adhesive strength
  • binding power
  • film formation
  • protective colloid, suspending and emulsifying action

Barentz Bulgaria and Barentz Romania S.R. are part of the Barentz group with whom Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients has successfully developed markets in various other European countries. For more than six years, Barentz has been active in the Bulgarian and Romania markets, and have established Sales and Supply Chain structures covering this part of the Balkan region. The Barentz sales force supporting Ashland’s product portfolio in these countries is comprised of specialists for the coatings and construction markets as well as for pharmaceutical, personal care, animal nutrition and food applications.

Ashland Aqualon Functional Ingredients is a global leader in the production of cellulose ethers and the world’s only producer of refined wood rosin and wood rosin derivatives from stumpwood extracts. Most of its specialty additives and functional ingredients are derived from renewable and natural raw materials and are used to manage the physical properties of aqueous and non-aqueous systems in a wide variety of applications and industries.

ASHLAND

For customer or product information, please contact:

Barentz Bulgaria
Ivelina Gudeva, Country Manager
247, Botevgradsko shosse Blvd.
1517 Sofia ,  BULGARIA
tel. +3592 9424710, fax +3592 9424713

Barentz Romania
Dragos Novac, Country Manager
Bd. Aviatorilor 59; Sector 1;
Bucuresti 011854; ROMANIA
Tel: +40 21 260.30.65 Fax: +40 21 260.30..66

Floris van Eijndhoven,
Global Distribution Manager, AAFI
+31 (0) 70 4134284
fvaneijndhoven@ashland.com

Media contact information:
Karel Struhar
VP Central & Eastern Europe
Barentz Europe BV
Tel. +420 602 439 786

Scott C. Johnson
EMEA Communciations Manager
Ashland Inc.
+31 10 497 5317