This dividend will be payable on Sept. 15, 2008, to shareholders of record at the close of business on Aug. 20, 2008. As of June 30, 2008, there were 63,005,458 shares outstanding.

Ashland Inc., 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 divisions: Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline and Ashland Water Technologies. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com .

FORTUNE 500 is a trademark of Time Inc.

SOURCE Ashland Inc.

http://www.ashland.com

An audio webcast will be presented live and can be accessed, along with supporting materials, through the Ashland website at www.ashland.com. The replay will be available within 24 hours of the live presentation and will be archived on Ashland's website for 90 days. Supporting materials will be available for 12 months. Copies of the presentation can also be requested by sending an e-mail to investor_relations@ashland.com, or by calling 859-815-4454.

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 divisions: Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline and Ashland Water Technologies. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com .

FORTUNE 500 is a registered trademark of Time Inc.

SOURCE Ashland Inc.

http://www.ashland.com

Ashland Inc (Ashland) is diversified chemical company serving various sectors such as the adhesives and sealants; building inks and printing; merchant marine; metal casting, mining, packaging and converting; plastics; pulp and paper; oil and gas; and water and wastewater treatment industries. It is also in the business of transportation and construction. It is headquartered in Covington, Kentucky and employs about 11,700 people. The company recorded revenues of $7,834 million during the fiscal year ended September 2007, an increase of 7.7% over 2006. The operating profit of the company was $216 million during fiscal year 2007, an increase of 27.1% over 2006. The net profit was $230 million in fiscal year 2007, a decrease of 43.5% over 2006..

Scope of the Report.

- Provides all the crucial company information required for business and competitor intelligence needs

- Contains a study of the major internal and external factors affecting the company in the form of a SWOT analysis as well as a breakdown and examination of leading product revenue streams

- Data is supplemented with details on the company s history, key executives, business description, locations and subsidiaries as well as a list of products and services and the latest available company statement.

Reasons to Purchase.

- Support sales activities by understanding your customers businesses better

- Qualify prospective partners and suppliers

- Keep fully up to date on your competitors business structure, strategy and prospects

- Obtain the most up to date company information available

http://www.companiesandmarkets.com/information.asp?id=3UOJXWXJQ46554

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In attendance at the presentation will be: James J. O'Brien, chairman and chief executive officer; Lamar M. Chambers, senior vice president and chief financial officer; Samuel J. Mitchell, president, Ashland Consumer Markets; Eric N. Boni, director, investor relations; and Michael A. Meade, assistant controller, external financial reporting.

The webcast, which will last approximately 60 minutes, will be accessible through Ashland's Investor Relations website, www.ashland.com/investors. Following the live event, an archived version of the webcast will be available on the Ashland website for 12 months. Minimum requirements to listen to the webcast include the free Windows MediaPlayer software and a 28.8 Kbps connection to the Internet.

Ashland Inc., 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 divisions: Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline and Ashland Water Technologies. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.

FORTUNE 500 is a trademark of Time Inc.

SOURCE Ashland Inc.

http://www.ashland.com