Ashland may not stick with adhesives

Ashland says it will conduct a strategic review of its performance adhesives business. The review could lead to a divestment of the business, which had sales of $310 million during Ashland’s most recent fiscal year. The unit makes acrylic, urethane, rubber, butyl, and epoxy adhesives for applications such as flexible packaging, wood bonding, and roofing. Ashland says it wants to focus on chemicals for pharmaceuticals, personal care, and coatings. The company sold its maleic anhydride business to AOC last year and bought Schülke & Mayr’s personal care business earlier this year.