form8k.htm

On July 25, 2013, Ashland Inc. (“Ashland”) announced preliminary third quarter results, which are discussed in more detail in the news release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.02.

The information in this report, being furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K, shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, and is not incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Item 8.01.

Other Events

Ashland announced today that it is exploring strategic alternatives for Ashland Water Technologies, including a potential sale of the business. Ashland has retained Citi to assist in this process and intends to evaluate all options.

Ashland also announced today that it has initiated a process to sell the elastomers business. The business accounted for approximately 22 percent of Ashland Performance Materials’ $1.5 billion in sales for the trailing 12 months ended June 30, 2013. This business, which primarily serves the North American replacement tire market, was acquired as part of the ISP transaction in August 2011. Ashland operates a 250-person manufacturing facility in Port Neches, Texas that serves elastomers customers.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Ashland has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should” and “intends” and the negatives of these words or other comparable terminology. In addition, Ashland may from time to time make forward-looking statements in its 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, the economy and other future events or circumstances. Ashland’s expectations and assumptions include, without limitation, internal forecasts and analyses of current and future market conditions and trends, management plans and strategies, operating efficiencies and economic conditions (such as prices, supply and demand, cost of raw materials, and the ability to recover raw-material cost increases through price increases), and risks and uncertainties associated with the following: Ashland’s substantial indebtedness (including the possibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may adversely affect Ashland’s future cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and its ability to repay debt), the potential strategic transaction involving Ashland Water Technologies and the potential sale of the elastomers business (including, in each case, the possibility that a transaction may not occur or that, if a transaction does occur, Ashland may not realize the anticipated benefits from such transaction), Ashland’s ability to generate sufficient cash to finance its stock repurchase plans, severe weather, natural disasters, and legal proceedings and claims (including environmental and asbestos matters). Various risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, projected or implied by any forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties affecting Ashland that are described in its most recent Form 10-K (including Item 1A Risk Factors) filed with the SEC, which is available on Ashland’s website at http://investor.ashland.com or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Ashland believes its expectations and assumptions are reasonable, but there can be no assurance that the expectations reflected herein will be achieved. Ashland undertakes no obligation to subsequently update any forward-looking statements made in this Current Report on Form 8-K or otherwise except as required by securities or other applicable law.

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	1-32532		20-0865835
	(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

[ ]	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 9.01.		Financial Statements and Exhibits
	(d)	Exhibits
	99.1	News Release dated July 25, 2013.

	ASHLAND INC.
	(Registrant)


July 25, 2013	/s/ J. Kevin Willis
	J. Kevin Willis
	Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer