UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): March 30, 2006
ASHLAND INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Kentucky
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
1-32532 20-0865835
(Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard, Covington, Kentucky 41011
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
P.O. Box 391, Covington, Kentucky 41012-0391
(Mailing Address) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (859) 815-3333
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of
the following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act
(17 CFR 2230.425)
[ ] 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 8.01. Other Events
On March 30, 2006, Ashland Inc. announced that it has signed a
definitive agreement to purchase the water treatment business of Degussa
AG, branded under the Stockhausen name, in a transaction valued at
approximately $144 million (120 million euros). Five manufacturing
facilities located in Germany, China, Brazil, Russia and the United States
are included in the transaction. The closing, which is anticipated to take
place in May 2006, is conditional upon a number of standard closing
conditions, including regulatory review.
The proposed transaction is further described in the attached press
release, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, and incorporated herein
by this reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
99.1 Press release dated March 30, 2006
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
ASHLAND INC.
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(Registrant)
Date: March 30, 2006 /s/ J. Marvin Quin
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Name: J. Marvin Quin
Title: Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
99.1 Press release dated March 30, 2006