Ashland advances high-growth oral biologics delivery applications with launch of permexa(TM) sodium caprate. Commercialization follows strong interest from pharmaceutical developers worldwide. WILMINGTON, Del., Aug. 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), is announcing the launch of permexa(TM) sodium caprate, a high-performance intestinal permeation enhancer designed to support the scalable development and commercialization of oral peptide, biologic and low-permeability drug products, including rapidly expanding GLP-1 agonists and related therapeutic pipelines. The launch comes at a time of significant market momentum in oral peptide and biologics development. Pharmaceutical companies continue to invest heavily in oral alternatives to injectable therapies, driven by the potential to improve patient convenience, enhance treatment adherence and unlock new therapeutic opportunities. As a result, pipelines across GLP-1's, diabetes and weight loss, metabolic disorders, endocrine therapeutics and other peptide-based medicines continue to expand. Developers continue to face important challenges as programs move from concept through development and manufacturing, despite growing investment and encouraging clinical progress. Permeability enhancement remains critical for oral drug products, but formulation consistency, process robustness and scalability are increasingly recognized as key barriers to successful commercialization. Ashland permexa(TM) sodium caprate was engineered to help address these challenges by combining established sodium caprate functionality with improved pharmaceutical processing performance. The excipient is designed with an IP-protected process to support more robust tablet manufacturing through improved powder flow, enhanced compressibility and greater formulation consistency, while maintaining the permeability enhancement characteristics required for oral drug delivery applications. The result is a solution intended not only for laboratory success, but also for real-world pharmaceutical development and manufacturing environments where reproducibility, scalability and process robustness are essential. The Ashland launch follows strong interest from pharmaceutical developers worldwide. Ahead of the commercial launch, the company recorded engagement with multiple pharmaceutical, biotech and CDMO organizations globally, spanning sampling activities, technical evaluations, pre-launch sales, benchmarking studies and formulation development discussions. Customer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive on the product's differentiated properties. "The rapid growth of oral peptide development is creating demand for excipients that support both biological performance and pharmaceutical manufacturability," said Alessandra Faccin, senior vice president and general manager, Life Sciences, Ashland. "Permexa(TM) sodium caprate was engineered to help customers address complex challenges and move more confidently from formulation through commercialization. The level of engagement we have seen prior to launch demonstrates the importance of solutions that support both drug delivery performance and scalable manufacturing." Caroline Cooreman, strategy director, Life Sciences, Ashland, continued, "Consequently, Ashland is not stopping here. We have developed a multi-stage strategy to support the pharmaceutical market with essential excipients for the oral delivery of biologics. We have multiple additional products in the pipeline and recognize important synergies with our vinyl pyrrolidone and derivatives (VP&D) portfolio. We are already actively servicing this market with our established VP&D portfolio, which will be further strengthened by our oral biologics' portfolio expansion," she concluded. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Ashland has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as "anticipates," "believes," "expects," "estimates," "is likely," "predicts," "projects," "forecasts," "objectives," "may," "will," "should," "plans" and "intends" and the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. Ashland may from time to time make forward-looking statements in its Annual Report to Stockholders, quarterly reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), news releases and other written and oral communications. These forward-looking statements are based on Ashland's expectations and assumptions, as of the date such statements are made, regarding Ashland's future operating performance and financial condition, its strategy as well as the economy and other future events or circumstances. The risks and uncertainties Today in New York face which may cause its actual results to differ materially from the results expressed, projected, or implied in these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: Ashland's aggressive growth goals and the extent to which such goals may be impacted by a failure to optimize its tangible and intangible assets, a failure to identify and integrate acquisition targets, any unexpected costs and liabilities associated with such acquisitions, and goodwill impairment; business disruptions stemming from natural, operational, and other catastrophic events, including disruptions to supply and logistics functions, manufacturing delays, and information technology system and network failures; climate change and related resource impacts; changes in consumer preferences and a reduction in demand for Ashland's products; risks inherent in operating a global business, including tariffs and other trade policies, geopolitical instability and armed conflict, and challenges associated with hiring and managing a diverse workforce across countries with differing laws, regulations, and cultural practices; economic downturns and disruptions in the financial markets; Ashland's substantial indebtedness, including the possibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may adversely affect its future cash flows, limit its ability to repay debt and obtain future financing, place Ashland at a competitive disadvantage, and make Today in New York more vulnerable to interest rate increases; its ability to develop and market new products and remain competitive in the markets in which Today in New York operate; its ability to pass increases in the costs of energy and raw materials to customers and to fulfill its contractual requirements with customers and vendors; downward pressures on prices and margins; the ability to attract and retain key employees and to provide for effective succession planning; cybersecurity risks, including disruptions to or failures in Ashland's information technology systems and networks, malicious cyberattacks, and the inadvertent or accidental disclosure or loss of proprietary or sensitive information; Ashland's ability to effectively protect and enforce its intellectual property rights; exposure to products liability claims; risks related to compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations, including the potential for costly litigation, remediation, and settlement actions; exposure to pending and threatened asbestos-related litigation; changes in the legal and regulatory landscapes in which Today in New York operate; and changes in taxation or adverse tax rulings. These risks and uncertainties also include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set forth in Item 1A. "Risk Factors" of Ashland's most recent Form 10-K, and in its other periodic reports filed with the SEC. Ashland believes its expectations and assumptions are reasonable, but there can be no assurance that the expectations reflected herein will be achieved. Unless legally required, Ashland undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements made in this presentation whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information on Ashland's website is not incorporated into or a part of this presentation. About Ashland Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients company with a conscious and proactive mindset for environmental, social and governance (ESG). The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Approximately 2,900 passionate, tenacious solvers - from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators - thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com and ashland.com/ESG to learn more. (TM) Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: | Investor Relations: | Media Relations: | | Sandy Klugman | Carolmarie C. Brown | | +1 (302) 594-7777 | +1 (302) 995-3158 | | [email protected] | [email protected] | Attachments Ashland permexa(TM) sodium caprate. Ashland advances high-growth oral biologics delivery applications with launch of permexa(TM) sodium caprate to support the scalable development and commercialization of oral peptide, biologic and low-permeability drug products, including rapidly expanding GLP-1 agonists and related therapeutic pipelines. Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. Today in New York do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.

[FAT2026 speaker]agrimer(tm) eco-disperse OD: A sustainable, non-aqueous dispersant based on transformed vegetable oils (TVO). Aug. 24, 2026 Ashland inc. united states follow. AgroPages is pleased to announce that Jean J. (JJ) Gulka, Global Business Director for Crop Care at Ashland, and Kiel Moore, Global Technology Platform Leader for Crop Care at Ashland, will be featured speakers at the 7th Ag Formulation & Application Technology Congress (FAT 2026). The congress will take place on October 29-30, 2026, in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China. Ashland has been a Gold Sponsor of the FAT Congress for three consecutive years and will return this year to deliver a cutting-edge technical presentation. Addressing the industry's core challenge and delivering tangible value. The industry faces a critical dilemma: global regulators are phasing out microplastics in agricultural formulations, yet formulators cannot compromise on suspension stability, rainfastness, or cost-efficiency. Ashland's presentation tackles this head-on with agrimer(TM) eco-disperse OD, a nature-derived dispersant that delivers three key values: * Regulatory de-risking - Microplastic-free and inherently biodegradable (verified by OECD tests), offering a credible pathway to meet evolving global standards. * Seamless adoption - Integrates into existing manufacturing processes for oil dispersions without costly equipment changes. * Competitive cost-in-use - Delivers performance and sustainability at a cost structure that supports commercial viability and portfolio differentiation. What the presentation will cover. JJ Gulka and Kiel Moore will present "agrimer(TM) eco-disperse OD: a sustainable, non-aqueous dispersant based on transformed vegetable oils (TVO)." Derived from renewable vegetable oils, this non-aqueous dispersant is inherently biodegradable and contains zero microplastics. The session will share performance data demonstrating that agrimer(TM) eco-disperse OD: * Delivers a balanced suspension and dispersion performance, ensuring formulation consistency and robustness across different active ingredients * Provides excellent storage stability with minimal phase separation under varied temperature conditions * Enhances rainfastness, improving active ingredient retention on target crop surfaces following rainfall * Integrates seamlessly into oil dispersions and other non-aqueous formulations using standard manufacturing equipment * Offers a bio-based solution that supports sustainability goals while maintaining a competitive cost-in-use profile Attendees will gain practical insights into how this technology can be incorporated into their own formulation workflows, along with real-world case studies illustrating its performance across different active ingredients and crop scenarios. About the speakers. Jean J. (JJ) Gulka, M.Eng, MBA,Global Business Director, Crop Care Ashland Jean (JJ) is the Global Business Director for Crop Care at Ashland, based in Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA. He leads the company's global agrochemical business strategy across NA, LATAM, EMEA, and APAC, with responsibility for business growth, innovation commercialization, and strategic customer partnerships. JJ has extensive experience in agricultural formulation technologies, including seed treatment, adjuvants, biologicals, and specialty ingredients. He works closely with leading agrochemical companies worldwide to develop sustainable solutions that enhance formulation performance, regulatory compliance, and market differentiation. At Ashland, JJ drives the commercialization of innovative technologies, including sustainable seed coating platforms, advanced wetting agents, and next-generation dispersants. He partners across commercial, technical, regulatory, manufacturing, and marketing teams to translate innovation into profitable growth opportunities. He is passionate about building strong customer relationships, developing high-performing teams, and delivering solutions that create long-term value for customers and Ashland. JJ holds a master's degree in Chemical Engineering from INSA-ITECH Lyon, France, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from UOP. Kiel Moore, Global Technology Platform Leader, Crop Care Ashland Kiel Moore leads research and innovation activities within Ashland's Crop Care business, and is focused on developing sustainable formulation technologies for agricultural applications. His expertise includes bio-based polymers, renewable ingredients, crop protection formulations and delivery systems that enhance performance and sustainability. He collaborates with leading agricultural companies to bring innovative technologies from concept to commercialization and is a co-inventor on multiple patents in formulation and agricultural technology. Kiel holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry from West Texas A&M University. FAT 2026 adheres to the core philosophy of "Global Vision, Local Innovation," focusing on the entire industry chain - formulation R&D innovation, adjuvant technology iteration, complex formulation breakthroughs, biological formulation commercialization, and process engineering upgrades. The congress precisely dissects the core pain points within each segment and delivers actionable industry solutions to drive the sector's leapfrog upgrading. This is your premier platform to exchange cutting-edge research, discover transformative technologies, and build meaningful partnerships with global experts. Agropages cordially invite you to join Agropages in Hangzhou to advance the high-quality development of the crop protection formulation industry.

Specialty chemicals giant Ashland initiates sale evaluation. 2026-08-14 09:07:56 Source:ChemNet 中文 Recent reports indicate that U.S. specialty chemicals company Ashland is evaluating the possibility of a full sale, officially initiating the sale process and attracting interest from multiple industrial capital firms and private equity institutions. According to sources familiar with the matter, Ashland has hired Citigroup and Lazard as financial advisors to assist in evaluating potential transactions and advancing the sale, while conducting preliminary discussions with strategic buyers and financial investors. Multiple parties have already proactively approached Ashland to inquire about acquisition opportunities, including Standard Industries, one of Ashland's major shareholders, as well as prominent private equity firms such as Advent International, Apollo Global Management, and The Carlyle Group. However, relevant discussions are still in the early stages, and there remains uncertainty regarding whether a transaction will materialize. This initiation of a sale evaluation stems from sustained pressure from activist investors. In June 2026, activist investment firm Ancora Holdings publicly called on Ashland to seek a full sale. Ancora believes that the company's stock price is significantly discounted, and coupled with challenges in corporate growth and operational execution, a sale is the optimal path to unlock Ashland's intrinsic value. According to market estimates, if an acquisition deal is reached, the corresponding purchase price would be approximately $76 per share, valuing Ashland's total enterprise value at around $4.5 billion. Facing the demands of activist investors, Ashland reached a settlement agreement with Ancora Holdings in July 2026. According to the agreement, Ashland's Board of Directors added two new directors, Peter Thomas and Allen Spizzo. Simultaneously, a Capital Configuration Advisory Committee was established, with a term extending through the 2028 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. This committee will continue to provide professional advice to the Board, conducting discussions around capital allocation strategies and medium-to-long-term strategic planning to help enhance shareholder returns. On the financial reporting front, Ashland's latest quarterly operational performance showed marked improvement. The company disclosed its quarterly performance for the period ending June 30 on July 28, reporting net income of $16 million for the period; in the same period last year, the company recorded a loss of $742 million due to one-time charges such as non-cash goodwill impairment. Quarterly sales reached $497 million, a 7% year-over-year increase; product sales volume rose by 6% year-over-year, with all four business segments achieving growth. Public information shows that Ashland's business is divided into four core segments. The Life Sciences segment serves pharmaceuticals, nutrition, agricultural chemicals, and diagnostic films; the Personal Care segment provides skincare, haircare, oral care, and home care ingredients, as well as bioactives and preservatives; the Specialty Additives segment supplies rheology modifiers and functional enhancement additives for industrial markets such as architectural coatings, construction engineering, energy, and automotive; the Intermediates business focuses on 1,4-butanediol (BDO) and its derivatives, including key chemicals like N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). As a key global supplier of specialty ingredients and additives, Ashland spans multiple industrial chains including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, new materials, and fine chemicals. Industry analysis points out that if this sale proceeds smoothly, it may reshape the competitive landscape in the global personal care ingredients, pharmaceutical excipients, and fine intermediates sectors such as BDO and NMP. [Copyright Notice] In the spirit of openness and inclusiveness of the Internet, ChemNet welcomes all media and institutions to reprint and quote its original content. If reprinted, please mark the source ChemNet. If you find any copyright issues with articles on this website, please contact Chemnet at [email protected]. Important information. Commodity price chart. | Product name | Price (yuan/ton) | Price Limit | | Trifluoroacetic acid | 38075.00 | +15.47% | | Isobutyraldehyde | 7933.33 | +14.98% | | Crude oil | 88.98 | +11.99% | | Crude oil | 83.27 | +10.70% | | 1,3-butadiene | 10900.00 | +8.10% | | Bromine | 39000.00 | +7.73% | | Lithium carbonate | 147000.00 | +7.30% | | Propylene | 8591.00 | +7.15% | | Antimony | 95250.00 | +6.72% | | Lithium carbonate | 149000.00 | +6.43% | | Dichloromethane | 1945.00 | -6.15% | | Phenol | 8205.00 | -5.96% | | Lithium hydroxide | 125000.00 | +5.93% | | MEK | 8000.00 | -5.88% | | Naphtha | 8203.33 | +5.58% | Scan to access the mobile version View the latest and hottest chemical news content