Univar Solutions Partners with Ashland for EMEA Distribution
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 27 2026
0mins
Should l Buy ASH?
Source: PRnewswire
- Strategic Partnership: Univar Solutions has formed an exclusive distribution partnership with Ashland, effective January 1, 2026, to introduce a range of cellulose ethers in the EMEA market, aimed at meeting the rising demand for functional ingredients in the food and beverage sector, thereby driving innovation and market growth.
- Enhanced Product Diversity: The collaboration includes various products such as methylcellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, which enhance food manufacturers' capabilities in plant-based and gluten-free applications, further strengthening Univar's competitive position in this sector.
- Technical Support and Innovation: Leveraging Foodology's technical expertise and a flagship test kitchen in Essen, Germany, Univar Solutions and Ashland will collaborate on developing innovative food and beverage products, promoting sustainable and nutrition-focused solutions to meet evolving consumer tastes.
- Improved Market Responsiveness: This partnership will enhance product availability and delivery speed, with Ashland's expertise providing better support services for customers, helping food manufacturers maintain a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving market.
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Analyst Views on ASH
Wall Street analysts forecast ASH stock price to rise
9 Analyst Rating
6 Buy
3 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 61.030
Low
53.00
Averages
66.67
High
73.00
Current: 61.030
Low
53.00
Averages
66.67
High
73.00
About ASH
Ashland Inc. is a global additives and specialty ingredients company. The Company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceuticals. The Company’s segments include Life Sciences, Personal Care, Specialty Additives, and Intermediates. The Life Sciences segment consists of pharmaceuticals, nutrition, agricultural chemicals, diagnostic films and fine chemicals. The Personal Care segment includes functionals, microbial protectants (preservatives), skin care, sun care, oral care, hair care and household solutions. The Specialty Additives segment consists of rheology and performance-enhancing additives serving the architectural coatings, construction, energy, automotive and various industrial markets. The Intermediates segment consists of the production of 1,4 butanediol (BDO) and related derivatives, including n-methyl pyrrolidone.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Commercialization Progress: The approval is seen as a crucial step in Ashland's global commercialization of TVO technology, furthering the company's sustainable development goals in agriculture and demonstrating its commitment to environmental responsibility.
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- Market Opportunity Expansion: This approval enables U.S. growers, as well as those in Latin America and Europe, to buy, sell, and test the seed coating, which is expected to enhance collaboration opportunities with U.S. customers and partners, driving business growth for the company.
- Commercialization Progress: The approval is seen as a crucial step in Ashland's global commercialization of TVO technology, furthering the company's sustainable development goals in agriculture and demonstrating its commitment to environmental responsibility.
- Innovative Product Advantages: Agrimer™ eco-coat polymer is a nature-based, microplastic-free, inherently biodegradable advanced seed coating technology that delivers superior efficacy while supporting regulatory compliance across the agricultural value chain, meeting diverse market needs.
See More
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- Performance Overview: Ashland reported Q1 sales of $386 million, down 5% year-over-year, yet management highlighted strong execution and disciplined cost actions amidst ongoing demand softness in coatings and construction.
- Life Sciences Growth: The Life Sciences segment achieved sales of $139 million, a 4% increase from the prior year, driven by significant contributions from injectables and high-value cellulose excipients, indicating ongoing innovation and stable demand in this sector.
- Adjusted EBITDA: The adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $58 million, reflecting a 5% year-over-year decline, with approximately $10 million impact from the Calvert City outage, leading management to narrow its fiscal 2026 EBITDA guidance range to $400 million to $420 million.
- Future Outlook: Despite the challenges in coatings and construction demand, management remains optimistic about the prospects for Life Sciences and Personal Care, expecting improved performance in the second half of the year while continuing to pursue a $30 million cost savings target.
See More
Ashland (ASH) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
See More
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- Earnings Call Scheduled: Ashland Global Holdings Inc. will host a conference call on February 3, 2026, at 9:00 AM ET to discuss its Q1 2026 earnings results, aiming to provide investors with the latest financial insights and company developments.
- Live Webcast Access: Investors can access the live webcast by logging onto https://investor.ashland.com/investor-calendar, ensuring that all stakeholders receive timely key information and enhancing transparency in communications.
- Focus on Investor Relations: This conference call underscores Ashland's commitment to investor relations, aiming to enhance investors' understanding of the company's performance through direct communication, thereby boosting market confidence.
- Market Reaction Anticipation: While specific financial data has yet to be disclosed, investors generally anticipate that the performance shared during the call will impact the stock price, reflecting the market's focus on Ashland's future growth prospects.
See More
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- Revenue and EBITDA: Q1 revenue of $386 million missed market expectations, while adjusted EBITDA of $58 million fell 5% year-over-year, with the Avoca divestiture contributing to a $1 million decline, reflecting competitive pressures in the market.
- Cash Flow and Investment: Operating cash flow stood at $125 million, with ongoing free cash flow at $26 million, indicating stable cash management despite approximately $100 million in capital expenditures impacting free cash flow conversion rates.
- Guidance Adjustment: The company narrowed its fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $400 million to $420 million, primarily affected by delays in the Calvert City startup and weather-related disruptions, reflecting a cautious outlook on future performance.
See More
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- Loss Improvement: Ashland reported a net loss of $12 million or $0.26 per share in Q1, significantly narrowing from last year's $165 million loss or $3.50 per share, indicating effective cost control and business optimization efforts.
- Sales Decline: Q1 sales totaled $386 million, down 5% year-over-year, with the Avoca divestiture reducing sales by approximately $10 million, reflecting challenges in market competition despite growth in innovation-driven product lines.
- Adjusted EBITDA Guidance: The company narrowed its fiscal 2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to a range of $400 to $420 million, accounting for approximately $11 million in temporary impacts from the Calvert City startup delay and recent weather disruptions, showing confidence in future recovery, although timing remains uncertain.
- Market Reaction: Despite a 0.65% increase in Ashland's stock price to $61.56 during regular trading on Monday, it fell 2.53% to $60.00 in after-hours trading, reflecting investor caution regarding the company's outlook, especially given sales and earnings expectations falling short of analyst projections.
See More
