SHANGHAI -- Ashland Inc. will showcase its long history of customer innovations through advanced resin and bonding technology at the Offshore Wind China Conference and Exhibition, June 15 - 17 in Shanghai. Ashland Performance Materials, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc., will feature its complete portfolio of wind solutions at booth E4-B015.

Rapid development and unprecedented technological advancements in wind-turbine-component design and installation have solidified wind energy as a major renewable energy resource in China. Because land-based wind opportunities are becoming more limited, offshore wind energy development is increasing. Although current commercial-scale offshore wind facilities are similar to conventional land-based wind facilities, higher requirements exist regarding corrosion-resistance, strength and weight. Ashlands wide range of products and services can meet these requirements for turbine components and also help to increase efficiencies, optimize performance and reduce waste.

"Ashland has been providing high-performance, environmentally responsible products and services for Chinas wind energy market for many years," said Baochang Zhang, business director, Ashland Performance Materials, Asia Pacific. "With our strong global technical support, we are working with our customers to help them win in the marketplace."

Ashlands full line of products includes unsaturated polyester resins, epoxy vinyl ester resins, gelcoats, bonding paste and adhesives. A featured product at the show will be Ashlands Derakane 601-200 epoxy vinyl ester resin. Research has shown that Derakane 601-200 resin can improve cycle times by 25 percent versus epoxy resin systems in the infusion blade-manufacturing process. Using Derakane 601-200 resin also narrows the performance/price gap between low-priced unsaturated polyester resins and high-priced epoxy resins. Manufacturers who have used Derakane 601-200 have documented clear benefits in cost and productivity.

Ashland Performance Materials is the global leader in unsaturated polyester resins and vinyl ester resins. In addition, it provides customers with leading technologies in gelcoats, pressure-sensitive and structural adhesives, and metal casting consumables and design services.

Source: Ashland