Ashland, Inc. operates as a diversified chemical company in North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The company operates in four segments: Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline, and Ashland Water Technologies. The Ashland Performance Materials segment engages in the manufacture and supply of specialty chemicals and services to the building and construction, transportation, metal casting, marine, and packaging and converting markets. It also offers metal casting consumables and design services; unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins, and gelcoats; and adhesives and specialty resins. The Ashland Distribution segment distributes chemicals, plastics, and composite raw materials in North America, as well as plastics in Europe. It also provides environmental services, including hazardous and nonhazardous waste collection, recovery, recycling, and disposal services. The Valvoline segment involves in the production and marketing of packaged automotive lubricants, chemicals, appearance products, antifreeze, and filters for the private passenger car, light truck, and heavy duty markets. It also operates in the oil change business through various outlets operating under the ‘Valvoline Instant Oil Change’ brand name. The Ashland Water Technologies segment supplies chemical and non-chemical water treatment solutions for industrial, municipal, and commercial facilities. It offers industrial, commercial, and institutional water treatments; wastewater treatment; paint and coating additives; pulp and paper processing; and mining chemistries. This segment also provides boiler and cooling water treatments; fuel treatments; welding, refrigerant, and sealing products; and fire fighting, safety, and rescue products and services for the merchant marine industry. Ashland was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Covington, Kentucky with additional offices in Dublin, Ohio; Barendrecht, Netherlands; Lexington and Russell, Kentucky.