Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

On November 13, 2008, Ashland Inc. ("Ashland") completed the acquisition of Hercules Incorporated ("Hercules") pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 10, 2008 among Ashland, Ashland Sub One, Inc. and Hercules Incorporated (the "Merger Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, each of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock, no par value, of Hercules was converted into the right to receive 0.0930 of a share of Ashland common stock and $18.60 in cash. The description of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the agreement attached as Exhibit 2.1 to a Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 10, 2008.

Item 8.01 Other Events

On November 13, 2008, Ashland issued a press release announcing the completion of the merger with Hercules. A copy of this press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Set forth below are the financial statements relating to the completed acquisition described above that are required to be filed as part of this Form 8-K:

(a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired

As permitted by Item 9.01(a)(4) of Form 8-K, Ashland will file the financial statements required by this item of Form 8-K pursuant to an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K not later than seventy-one (71) calendar days after the date this Form 8-K must be filed.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information

As permitted by Item 9.01(b)(2) of Form 8-K, Ashland will file the financial information required by this item of Form 8-K pursuant to an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K not later than seventy-one (71) calendar days after the date this Form 8-K must be filed.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit Description

99.1 Press release, dated November 13, 2008, announcing the completion of the acquisition of Hercules Incorporated