Ashland announces new distributor agreement for the South African region

Ashland Performance Materials, a division of Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH), has reached a new distribution agreement for its high-performance composites products in the South African region. Effective Oct. 1, distribution firm A.D.D. Johannesburg will now represent DERAKANE® epoxy vinyl ester resins along with Ashland’s full line of polyester, vinyl ester, acrylic and phenolic resins, premium gelcoats and low-profile additives.

“This agreement represents a major improvement to our supply and delivery capabilities for our customers in South Africa,” said Stefan Osterwind, commercial director, Europe, Ashland Performance Materials. “Through A.D.D.’s experience in the market and optimized logistics network, we are now able to offer an even more competitive and comprehensive range of Ashland products and services to composites manufacturers in the region.”

For more than 12 years, Ashland has operated a wholly-owned administrative service center in Johannesburg (Bruma), South Africa. Ashland’s local representative, Patrick Bergman in the Johannesburg office, can be contacted at +27 11 616 2200, or by e-mail at pgtbergman@ashland.com. For more information about Ashland’s composite products and services available in the South African region, please contact Anca Ghetea, at +27 828 216 812, or by e-mail at ancag@telkomsa.net.

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. It operates ISO 9001:2000-certified manufacturing and laboratory facilities across Europe, North America, the Middle East and China.