Ashland agrimer™ eco-coat polymer seed coating from the Transformed Vegetable Oils (TVO) platform receives approval for all food and non-food uses in pesticide formulations including for sale in the U.S.

Rhea-AI Summary

Ashland (NYSE:ASH) announced the U.S. EPA has posted and approved its FIFRA Food Use Tolerance Exemption petition for agrimer™ eco-coat polymer, a seed-coating ingredient from its Transformed Vegetable Oils (TVO) platform.

Approval under 40 CFR 180.960 permits use in all food and non-food pesticide formulations and enables U.S. sales, testing, and trials alongside existing approvals in Latin America and Europe.

Positive

• U.S. EPA posted and approved petition on Feb 9, 2026
• Approval covers use under 40 CFR 180.960 for food and non-food formulations
• Enables U.S. sales, testing, and trials of agrimer eco-coat
• agrimer is based on Ashland's patented Transformed Vegetable Oils (TVO) technology

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Regulation reference: 40 CFR 180.960

1 metrics

Regulation reference 40 CFR 180.960 EPA approval allows use in all food and non‑food pesticide formulations under this rule.

Market Reality Check

Price: $62.24 Vol: Volume 631,629 is slightl...

normal vol

$62.24 Last Close

Volume Volume 631,629 is slightly below the 20-day average of 675,212 (relative volume 0.94). normal

Technical Trading above the 200-day MA at 53.45 and about 4.79% below the 52-week high of 67.39.

Peers on Argus

ASH was up 1.63% with mixed peer moves: CC up 6.7%, NGVT up 2.09%, MTX up 1.07%,...

ASH was up 1.63% with mixed peer moves: CC up 6.7%, NGVT up 2.09%, MTX up 1.07%, IOSP up 0.14%, while KWR fell 0.54%. This points to stock-specific drivers around the EPA approval rather than a uniform sector move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 02 (Negative)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Feb 02	Q1 2026 results	Negative	+0.7%	Sales and EBITDA declined with a quarterly loss from continuing operations.
Jan 27	Distribution partnership	Positive	-0.3%	Exclusive EMEA partnership for cellulose ethers in food and beverage sector.
Jan 20	Earnings call timing	Neutral	+2.7%	Announcement of Q1 2026 earnings release and webcast schedule.
Jan 19	Quarterly dividend	Positive	-2.6%	Board declared a <b>$0.415</b> per share cash dividend for March 2026.
Nov 19	Quarterly dividend	Positive	-1.7%	Announced a <b>$0.415</b> per share cash dividend payable December 2025.

Pattern Detected

Across recent earnings, partnership, and dividend headlines, price reactions often diverged from the intuitive positive/negative tone of the news.

Recent Company History

Recent news for Ashland shows a mix of operational and capital return updates. Fiscal Q1 2026 results on Feb 2 highlighted year‑over‑year declines in sales and EBITDA yet saw a modest positive reaction. An exclusive EMEA distribution partnership announced on Jan 27 drew a slight negative move. Two dividend declarations in Jan 2026 and Nov 2025 also coincided with next‑day declines. Against this backdrop, the EPA approval expands usage for agrimer™ eco‑coat within Ashland’s crop care portfolio.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement detailed U.S. EPA approval of Ashland’s agrimer™ eco‑coat seed‑coating ingredient ...

Analysis

This announcement detailed U.S. EPA approval of Ashland’s agrimer™ eco‑coat seed‑coating ingredient for use in all food and non‑food pesticide formulations under 40 CFR 180.960, expanding its crop‑care opportunities. It builds on the company’s patented Transformed Vegetable Oils platform and follows recent earnings, partnership, and dividend updates. Investors may track how this regulatory milestone converts into commercial adoption, monitor future financial reports for contribution from the TVO portfolio, and watch for additional regional or application‑specific approvals that might extend the technology’s reach.

Key Terms

federal insecticide, fungicide, and rodenticide act (fifra), u.s. epa, fifra food use tolerance exemption, pesticide formulations, +1 more

5 terms

federal insecticide, fungicide, and rodenticide act (fifra) regulatory

"its petition under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for agrimer"

A U.S. law that sets the rules for registering, labeling, testing and selling pesticides and similar chemicals, and gives authorities the power to restrict or remove hazardous products. For investors, FIFRA matters because its approvals, compliance costs, enforcement actions and rule changes directly affect which products a company can sell, potential liabilities, and a firm’s revenue outlook—like a gatekeeper that controls market access.

u.s. epa regulatory

"Ashland announces the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially posted"

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency that writes and enforces rules to limit pollution and protect air, water, and land. For investors, EPA actions can change costs, legal liabilities, market access and demand—similar to a referee changing the rules mid-game—because new regulations, fines or clean-up orders can alter a company's expenses, required technology and long-term profitability.

fifra food use tolerance exemption regulatory

"The FIFRA Food Use Tolerance Exemption petition posting now enables U.S. growers"

A FIFRA food-use tolerance exemption is a regulatory finding that residues of a pesticide or antimicrobial ingredient on food do not need a set maximum limit because regulators have determined those residues are safe at expected levels. For investors this matters because an exemption reduces the chance of costly residue limits, testing requirements, or market rejections, making product approvals and supply chains simpler—similar to a safety check that removes the need for speed-limit signage on a quiet street.

pesticide formulations technical

"used in all food and non‑food pesticide formulations under regulation 40 CFR 180.960"

Pesticide formulations are the finished products created by mixing the active pest-killing ingredient with other substances—like solvents, stabilizers and carriers—so it can be applied safely and effectively, similar to a recipe that turns a raw ingredient into a usable spray or powder. Investors care because the formulation affects cost, regulatory approval, market acceptance, shelf life, and environmental or liability risks, all of which influence sales, margins and long-term value.

transformed vegetable oils (tvo) technology technical

"This innovative ingredient is based on the company’s patented Transformed Vegetable Oils (TVO) technology"

Transformed vegetable oils (TVO) technology converts plant-based fats into usable industrial products—such as renewable fuels, chemicals, or lubricants—using chemical or biological processes that change the oil’s structure and properties. For investors, TVO matters because it can create new revenue streams tied to demand for lower-carbon alternatives, while exposing companies to feedstock price swings, production costs and regulatory incentives in much the same way turning raw ingredients into packaged goods affects a food business.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

U.S. EPA FIFRA Food Use Tolerance Exemption petition has posted to U.S. EPA federal register

WILMINGTON, Del., Feb. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ashland announces the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has officially posted and approved its petition under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for agrimer™ eco-coat polymer seed coating for crop care. This innovative ingredient is based on the company’s patented Transformed Vegetable Oils (TVO) technology. Approval means the ingredient can now be used in all food and non‑food pesticide formulations under regulation 40 CFR 180.960.

“We are pleased with the U.S. EPA posting of Ashland’s latest crop care chemistry and are excited for the new opportunities this creates for collaboration with our U.S. based customers and partners,” said Alessandra Faccin, senior vice president and general manager, life sciences, Ashland.

The FIFRA Food Use Tolerance Exemption petition posting now enables U.S. growers as well as those previously approved in Latin America, Europe and other regions, the opportunity to buy, sell and test Ashland agrimer™ eco-coat polymer seed coating.

“This is an exciting next step for Ashland’s global TVO technology commercialization and furthers our purpose to responsibly solve for a better world,” said Jean Jacques Gulka, business director, crop care, life sciences, Ashland.

To learn more, discuss a trial and obtain a sample, reach out to your local Ashland solver or visit ashland.com/agrimer-eco-coat

About agrimer eco-coat
Agrimer™ eco-coat polymer is a nature-based, microplastic-free, inherently biodegradable advanced seed coating technology that delivers superior efficacy to the diverse vegetable, grain, fruit and floral markets, while also supporting regulatory compliance across the agricultural value chain. This regenerative solution for agricultural growers balances functionality, sustainability and stewardship, blending a compelling combination of technical excellence with environmental responsibility. This innovative polymer is the latest advancement from Ashland’s Transformed Vegetable Oils (TVO) technology platform, which reimagines nature-based chemistry for high-performance applications.

About Ashland 
Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients company with a conscious and proactive mindset for environmental, social and governance (ESG). The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Approximately 2,900 passionate, tenacious solvers – from renowned scientists and research chemists to talented engineers and plant operators – thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com and ashland.com/ESG to learn more.  

^™ Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Investor Relations:	Media Relations:
Sandy Klugman	Carolmarie C. Brown
+1 (302) 594-7777	+1 (302) 995-3158
sandy.klugman@ashland.com	ccbrown@ashland.com

Attachment

• AgrimerEcoCoat-US FIFRAFoodToleranceUse Exemption FNL 20260209

FAQ

What did Ashland (ASH) receive from the U.S. EPA on February 9, 2026?

Ashland received U.S. EPA posting and approval of a FIFRA Food Use Tolerance Exemption petition for agrimer eco-coat polymer. According to the company, this permits use in all food and non-food pesticide formulations under 40 CFR 180.960 and enables U.S. trials and sales.

How does the 40 CFR 180.960 approval affect agrimer eco-coat availability in the U.S.?

The 40 CFR 180.960 approval allows agrimer eco-coat to be used in food and non-food pesticide formulations nationwide. According to the company, U.S. growers can now buy, sell, test, and conduct trials previously limited to other regions.

Is agrimer eco-coat based on existing Ashland technology and where else is it approved?

Yes, agrimer eco-coat is based on Ashland's patented Transformed Vegetable Oils (TVO) technology. According to the company, the ingredient already had approvals in Latin America, Europe, and other regions prior to the U.S. posting.

How can U.S. growers or partners request samples or trials of agrimer (ASH)?

Interested parties can request samples or trials by contacting local Ashland solvers or visiting the product webpage. According to the company, outreach is available via ashland.com/agrimer-eco-coat for trial discussions and sample requests.

What immediate commercial impact does the EPA posting have for Ashland (ASH) operations?

The posting enables immediate legal use, testing, and commercial discussions for agrimer eco-coat in the U.S. According to the company, this step advances TVO technology commercialization and supports collaboration with U.S.-based customers and partners.