AOC Materials, a global supplier of resins and specialty materials, agreed to acquire the maleic anhydride business of Ashland, an American chemical company, for $100m. "Today’s announcement furthers Ashland’s strategic focus to streamline our portfolio and to focus on specialty ingredients and improved margins. The Maleic business and its respective employees have made important contributions to Ashland, and AOC will take a strategic view of the business to drive growth and continue their success," Guillermo Novo, Ashland Chairman and CEO.