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): December 29, 2004 ASHLAND INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Kentucky (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) 1-2918 61-0122250 (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 50 E. RiverCenter Boulevard, Covington, Kentucky 41012-0391 (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 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 8.01. Other Events Ashland Inc. ("Ashland") announced today that Ashland Composite Polymers, a business group of Ashland Specialty Chemical, a division of Ashland, has completed its purchase of the DERAKANE* epoxy vinyl ester resin business (which includes the DERAKANE MOMENTUM* product line) from The Dow Chemical Company in a cash transaction valued at approximately $90 million. Details of the transaction are included in the attached press release, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. * Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits (c) Exhibits 99.1 Press Release dated December 29, 2004 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. ------------------------------------------- (Registrant) Date: December 29, 2004 /s/ J. Marvin Quin -------------------------------------------- Name: J. Marvin Quin Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer EXHIBIT INDEX 99.1 Press Release dated December 29, 2004