Ashland (ASH) 10-Q 6 May 20 2020 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020shares
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ASHLAND GLOBAL HOLDINGS INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001674862
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity File Number	333-211719
Entity Tax Identification Number	81-2587835
Entity Address, Address Line One	8145 Blazer Drive
Entity Address, City or Town	Wilmington
Entity Address, State or Province	DE
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	19808
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
City Area Code	302
Local Phone Number	995-3000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	60,456,039
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Trading Symbol	ASH
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMP

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Sales	$ 610	$ 667	$ 1,143	$ 1,243
Cost of sales	413	469	793	893
Gross profit	197	198	350	350
Selling, general and administrative expense	103	115	202	236
Research and development expense	18	17	34	34
Intangibles amortization expense	21	21	42	43
Equity and other income (loss)	7	(1)	7	0
Goodwill impairment - Note G	530	0	530	0
Operating income (loss)	(468)	44	(451)	37
Net interest and other expense (income)	117	(3)	127	52
Other net periodic benefit income (expense)	0	(1)	0	17
Net income (loss) on divestitures	0	0	3	(3)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	(585)	46	(575)	(1)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(10)	1	(34)	25
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(575)	45	(541)	(26)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes)	(7)	31	(9)	54
Net income (loss)	$ (582)	$ 76	$ (550)	$ 28
Basic earnings per share - Note M
Income (loss) from continuing operations	$ (9.48)	$ 0.72	$ (8.93)	$ (0.41)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(0.13)	0.49	(0.15)	0.86
Net income (loss)	(9.61)	1.21	(9.08)	0.45
Diluted earnings per share - Note M
Income (loss) from continuing operations	(9.48)	0.71	(8.93)	(0.41)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	(0.13)	0.48	(0.15)	0.86
Net income (loss)	$ (9.61)	$ 1.19	$ (9.08)	$ 0.45
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Net income (loss)	$ (582)	$ 76	$ (550)	$ 28
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Unrealized translation gain (loss)	(52)	(9)	(14)	(40)
Pension and postretirement obligation adjustment	0	0	0	(6)
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(52)	(9)	(14)	(46)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ (634)	$ 67	$ (564)	$ (18)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 353	$ 232
Accounts receivable	[1]	498	481
Inventories - Note F		611	597
Other assets		119	64
Current assets held for sale - Note B		64	59
Total current assets		1,645	1,433
Property, plant and equipment
Cost		3,172	3,165
Accumulated depreciation		1,608	1,588
Net property, plant and equipment		1,564	1,577
Goodwill - Note G		1,723	2,253
Intangibles - Note G		1,044	1,088
Operating lease assets, net - Note I		144
Restricted investments - Note E		277	310
Asbestos insurance receivable - Note L		145	157
Deferred income taxes		24	23
Other assets		402	410
Total noncurrent assets		5,323	5,818
Total assets		6,968	7,251
Current liabilities
Short-term debt - Note H		471	166
Trade and other payables		255	313
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		218	271
Current operating lease obligations - Note I		23
Current liabilities held for sale - Note B		5	7
Total current liabilities		972	757
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt - Note H		1,535	1,501
Asbestos litigation reserve - Note L		530	555
Deferred income taxes		250	264
Employee benefit obligations - Note K		151	150
Operating lease obligations - Note I		131
Other liabilities		416	453
Total noncurrent liabilities		3,013	2,923
Commitments and contingencies - Note L
Stockholders’ equity		2,983	3,571
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$ 6,968	$ 7,251
[1]	Accounts receivable includes an allowance for doubtful accounts of $3 million at both March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANC_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Current assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 3	$ 3

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED EQUIT

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED EQUITY (Unaudited) - 6 months ended Mar. 31, 2020 - USD ($) $ in Millions		Total	Common stock [Member]	Paid-in capital [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]	[1]
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019		$ 3,571	$ 1	$ 756	$ 3,224	$ (410)
Total comprehensive income (loss)
Net income (loss)		(550)			(550)
Other comprehensive income		(14)				(14)
Regular dividends, $0.550 per common share		(33)			(33)
Common shares issued under stock incentive and other plans	[2]	9		9
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020		$ 2,983	$ 1	$ 765	$ 2,641	$ (424)
[1]	At March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, the after-tax accumulated other comprehensive loss of $424 million and $410 million, respectively, was each comprised of net unrealized translation losses of $422 million and $408 million, respectively, and unrecognized prior service costs of $2
[2]	Common shares issued were 279,025 for the six months ended March 31, 2020.

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED EQU_2

STATEMENT OF CONSOLIDATED EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Dividend per common share	$ 0.275	$ 0.275	$ 0.550
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (424)	$ (410)	$ (424)
Unrecognized prior service costs	2	2	2
Net unrealized translation loss	$ (422)	$ (408)	$ (422)
Common shares issued (in shares)			279,025

STATEMENTS OF CONDENSED CONSOLI

STATEMENTS OF CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		6 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Net income (loss)		$ (550)	$ 28
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes)		9	(54)
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to cash flows from operating activities
Depreciation and amortization		122	163
Original issue discount and debt issuance costs amortization		12	4
Deferred income taxes		(28)	2
Stock based compensation expense		8	13
(Income) loss from restricted investments		16	(2)
Excess tax benefit on stock based compensation		1	2
Loss on early retirement of debt		59
Net (income) loss on divestitures			3
Impairments		530	5
Pension contributions		(3)	(3)
Gain on pension and other postretirement plan remeasurements			(18)
Change in operating assets and liabilities	[1]	(163)	(137)
Total cash flows provided by operating activities from continuing operations		13	6
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Additions to property, plant and equipment		(66)	(70)
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment			4
Purchase of operations			(1)
Net purchase of funds restricted for specific transactions		(2)	(2)
Reimbursement from restricted investments		19	20
Proceeds from sales of securities		10	156
Purchase of securities		(10)	(156)
Proceeds from the settlement of derivative instruments			2
Payments for the settlement of derivative instruments			(2)
Total cash flows used by investing activities from continuing operations		(49)	(49)
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED (USED) BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		804
Repayment of long-term debt		(767)	(8)
Premium on long-term debt repayment		(59)
Proceeds from (repayment of) short-term debt		306	11
Debt issuance costs		(11)
Cash dividends paid		(33)	(31)
Stock based compensation employee withholding taxes paid in cash		(6)	(8)
Total cash flows provided (used) by financing activities from continuing operations		234	(36)
CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY CONTINUING OPERATIONS		198	(79)
Cash provided (used) by discontinued operations
Operating cash flows		(79)	(41)
Investing cash flows		1	(8)
Total cash used by discontinued operations		(78)	(49)
Effect of currency exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		1	(2)
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS		121	(130)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD		232	294
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD		$ 353	$ 164
[1]	Excludes changes resulting from operations acquired, sold or held for sale.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	NOTE A – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of presentation The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Additionally, certain prior period information has been reclassified within the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes to conform to current period presentation. These items include the reclassification of Intangibles Amortization Expense as a separate component within operating expenses and changes in Ashland’s reportable segment and reporting unit structure. These statements omit certain information and footnote disclosures required for complete annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with Ashland Global Holdings Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries (Ashland) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. Results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the expected results for the remaining quarters in the fiscal year. All amounts are presented in millions except per-share amounts. The Intangibles Amortization Expense presented within the Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) includes amortization expense related to trademarks and trade names, intellectual property, customer and supplier relationships and land use rights. Intangible assets classified as finite are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. On August 30, 2019, Ashland completed the sale of its Composites business (excluding Ashland’s maleic anhydride business (Maleic business)) and its butanediol facility in Marl, Germany (Marl facility). This disposal group represented a strategic shift in Ashland’s business and qualified as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, Composites (including the Maleic business) and the Marl facility assets, liabilities, operating results and cash flows for all periods presented have been classified as discontinued operations within the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. See Notes B and C for additional information on this divestiture. During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, Ashland changed the manner in which it manages the business, moving from a functionally led to a business led organization. This change recognizes that Ashland has a diverse portfolio of businesses with different value propositions for the markets Ashland serves. The organizational change allows Ashland to align its business models, resources and cost structure to the specific needs of each business and enable greater ownership and accountability for both short- and long- term performance. Ashland has realigned its segment reporting structure commensurate with this organizational change. As a result, Ashland’s five reportable segments include the consumer specialty businesses: Life Sciences and Personal Care & Household; the industrial specialty businesses: Specialty Additives and Performance Adhesives; and Intermediates and Solvents. Corporate includes corporate governance activities and certain legacy matters. For additional information, see Note Q. Use of estimates, risks and uncertainties The preparation of Ashland’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant items that are subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, long-lived assets (including goodwill and other intangible assets), income taxes and liabilities and receivables associated with asbestos litigation and environmental remediation. Although management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Ashland’s results are affected by domestic and international economic, political, legislative, regulatory and legal actions. Economic conditions, such as recessionary trends, inflation, interest and monetary exchange rates, government fiscal policies and changes in the prices of certain key raw materials, can have a significant effect on operations. While Ashland maintains reserves for anticipated liabilities and carries various levels of insurance, Ashland could be affected by civil, criminal, regulatory or administrative actions, claims or proceedings relating to asbestos, environmental remediation or other matters. New accounting pronouncements A description of new U.S. GAAP accounting standards issued or adopted during the current year is required in interim financial reporting. A detailed listing of new accounting standards relevant to Ashland is included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. The following standards relevant to Ashland were either issued or adopted in the current fiscal year or will become effective in a subsequent period. Leases Effective October 1, 2019, Ashland adopted new accounting guidance related to lease transactions. The adoption of the new lease guidance resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities of $174 million as of October 1, 2019. The adoption did not have a material impact on Ashland’s results of operations, cash flows or debt covenants. Results for reporting periods beginning after October 1, 2019 are presented under the new accounting guidance for leases, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting treatment. Ashland elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed it to carry forward the historical lease classification. Ashland determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Ashland recognizes right-of-use assets and liabilities associated with leases based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the later of the commencement date of the lease or the October 1, 2019 implementation date. Ashland uses its incremental borrowing rate at the recognition date in determining the present value of future payments for leases that do not have a readily determinable implicit rate. Lease terms reflect options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. For leases that include residual value guarantees or payments for terminating the lease, Ashland includes these costs in the lease liability when it is probable that they will be incurred. Right-of-use assets and obligations for short-term leases (leases with an initial term of 12 months or less) are not recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Lease expense for short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. When contracts contain lease and non-lease components, the Company generally accounted for both components as a single lease component. For additional information, see Note I. Other accounting pronouncements In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance which permits entities to reclassify tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) as a result of U.S. tax reform legislation to retained earnings. Additionally, this guidance requires entities to disclose whether they made an election to reclassify the tax effects and to disclose their accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from AOCI. This guidance became effective for Ashland on October 1, 2019. Ashland did not elect to reclassify the disproportionate amount in AOCI to retained earnings. Ashland estimated the impact of this guidance to be approximately $3 million. Ashland’s accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from AOCI is under the individual units of account method for items sold, terminated or extinguished from AOCI. In August 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance amending the existing hedge accounting model to simplify various hedge documentation requirements while also expanding hedging abilities for certain nonfinancial and financial risk components. This guidance became effective for Ashland on October 1, 2019 and had no material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued amended accounting guidance related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The amended accounting guidance changes the impairment model for most financial assets to require measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. This guidance will become effective for Ashland on October 1, 2020. Ashland is in the process of evaluating the effect this amended accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial position and results of operations; however, Ashland does not expect the amended accounting guidance to have a material impact to Ashland’s Consolidated Financial Statements .

Divestitures

Divestitures	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Divestitures [Abstract]
Divestitures	NOTE B Composites and Marl facility On August 30, 2019, Ashland completed the sale of its Composites business (excluding the Maleic business) and butanediol manufacturing facility in Marl, Germany to INEOS Enterprises for $1.015 billion. The operating results and cash flows related to Composites and the Marl facility, including the Maleic business, have been reflected as discontinued operations in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Statements of Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows. See Note C of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the results of operations for Composites and the Marl facility, including the Maleic business, for all periods presented. Certain indirect corporate costs included within the selling, general and administrative expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) that were previously allocated to the Composites segment and Marl facility do not qualify for classification within discontinued operations and are now reported as selling, general and administrative expense within continuing operations on a consolidated basis and within the Unallocated and other segment. These costs were zero and $12 million Subsequent to the completion of the sale, Ashland is providing certain transition services to INEOS for a fee. While the transition services are expected to vary in duration depending upon the type of service provided, Ashland expects to reduce costs as the transition services are completed. Ashland recognized transition service fee income of $3 million and $6 million for the three and six months periods ended March 31, 2020, respectively. Held for sale classification The assets and liabilities of the Maleic business, along with certain other corporate property, have been reflected as assets and liabilities held for sale. As a result depreciation and amortization are not being recorded within the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) and the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These assets and liabilities are comprised of the following components: March 31 September 30 (In millions) 2020 2019 Accounts receivable, net $ 9 $ 5 Inventories 2 3 Net property, plant and equipment 34 34 Goodwill 14 14 Other assets 5 3 Current assets held for sale $ 64 $ 59 Trade and other payables $ 4 $ 6 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 1 1 Current liabilities held for sale $ 5 $ 7

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Discontinued Operations And Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Discontinued Operations	NOTE C– DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS Ashland has divested certain businesses that have qualified as discontinued operations. The operating results from these divested businesses and subsequent adjustments related to ongoing assessments of certain retained liabilities and tax items have been recorded within the discontinued operations caption in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for all periods presented . Components of amounts reflected in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) related to discontinued operations are presented in the following table for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax) Composites/Marl facility $ 4 $ 28 $ 4 $ 53 Valvoline — 1 (1 ) 1 Asbestos (7 ) — (7 ) — Water Technologies — 2 (1 ) 1 Distribution (2 ) — (2 ) (1 ) Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations (net of taxes) Composites/Marl facility (2 ) — (2 ) — $ (7 ) $ 31 $ (9 ) $ 54 The following table presents a reconciliation of the captions within Ashland's Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Composites and the Marl facility for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Interest expense was allocated to discontinued operations based on Ashland’s mandatory debt prepayments upon the disposition of Composites and the Marl facility for applicable periods only. Although the Maleic business was not sold to INEOS, this business was operated under the Composites business and Marl facility disposal group and will continue to be reported in discontinued operations as it meets the held for sale criteria. Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Composites/Marl facility Sales $ 17 $ 284 $ 28 $ 559 Cost of sales (10 ) (217 ) (19 ) (434 ) Selling, general and administrative expense (2 ) (19 ) (4 ) (41 ) Research and development expense — (3 ) — (6 ) Equity and other income — — 2 3 Pretax operating income of discontinued operations 5 45 7 81 Net interest and other financing expense — (6 ) (12 ) Pretax income of discontinued operations 5 39 7 69 Income tax expense (1 ) (11 ) (3 ) (16 ) Income from discontinued operations $ 4 $ 28 $ 4 $ 53

Restructuring Activities

Restructuring Activities	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Activities	NOTE D – RESTRUCTURING ACTIVITIES Company-wide restructuring activities Ashland periodically implements company-wide restructuring programs related to acquisitions, divestitures and other cost reduction programs in order to enhance profitability through streamlined operations and an improved overall cost structure. Fiscal 2018 program costs Severance costs During fiscal 2018, Ashland initiated a company-wide cost reduction program as a result of ongoing strategic asset plans and activities. As part of this restructuring program, Ashland announced a voluntary severance offer (VSO) to certain qualifying employees that was formally approved during 2018. Additionally, during fiscal 2018, an involuntary program for employees was also initiated as part of the restructuring program. These programs resulted in additional severance expense of zero for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, and zero Facility costs Ashland incurred lease abandonment charges of zero and $1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and zero and $8 million for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These charges were due to the exit from certain office facilities in conjunction with the company-wide cost reduction program. The costs related to this reserve were recorded within the selling, general and administrative expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) and are paid over the remaining lease terms. As of March 31, 2020, the reserve for facility costs was $6 million. The following table details at March 31, 2020 and 2019, the amount of restructuring reserves related to the programs discussed above, and the related activity in these reserves during the six months ended March 31, 2020. The severance and facility cost reserves were primarily recorded within accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019. (In millions) Severance costs Facility costs Total Balance at of September 30, 2019 7 7 14 Restructuring reserve — — — Utilization (cash paid) (6 ) (1 ) (7 ) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 1 $ 6 7 (In millions) Severance costs Facility costs Total Balance at of September 30, 2018 36 7 43 Restructuring reserve 4 8 12 Utilization (cash paid) (18 ) (5 ) (23 ) Balance at March 31, 2019 $ 22 $ 10 32 Other restructuring activities Fiscal 2019 Plant restructuring During the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, Specialty Additives committed to a cost reduction plan within an existing manufacturing facility. As a result, Ashland incurred restructuring charges of $20 million and $47 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, respectively. These charges were recorded primarily within the cost of sales caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) consisting of $38 million of accelerated depreciation and amortization, $5 million of severance and $4 million of plant closure costs during the six months ended March 31, 2019. As of March 31, 2020, there was no restructuring reserve related to this plant restructuring. Fiscal 2020 restructuring severance costs During the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, Ashland incurred severance expense of $14 million and $17 million, respectively, attributable to executive management changes and business management changes within the organization. As of March 31, 2020, the severance reserve associated with this transition was $16 million. The following table details at March 31, 2020, the amount of restructuring severance reserves related to this program. The severance reserves were primarily recorded within accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2020. (In millions) Severance costs Balance at of September 30, 2019 — Restructuring reserve 17 Utilization (cash paid) (1 ) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 16

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	NOTE E – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS As required by U.S. GAAP, Ashland uses applicable guidance for defining fair value, the initial recording and periodic remeasurement of certain assets and liabilities measured at fair value and related disclosures for instruments measured at fair value. Fair value accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). An instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the instrument’s fair value measurement. The three levels within the fair value hierarchy are described as follows. Level 1 – Observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability for which there is little, if any, market activity at the measurement date. Unobservable inputs reflect Ashland’s own assumptions about what market participants would use to price the asset or liability. The inputs are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which might include Ashland’s own financial data such as internally developed pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as instruments for which the fair value determination requires significant management judgment. For assets that are measured using quoted prices in active markets (Level 1), the total fair value is the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs. Assets and liabilities that are measured using significant other observable inputs (Level 2) are primarily valued by reference to quoted prices of similar assets or liabilities in active markets, adjusted for any terms specific to that asset or liability. For all other assets and liabilities for which unobservable inputs are used (Level 3), fair value is derived using fair value models, such as a discounted cash flow model or other standard pricing models that Ashland deems reasonable. The following table summarizes financial instruments subject to recurring fair value measurements as of March 31, 2020. Carrying Total fair Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs (In millions) value value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 353 $ 353 $ 353 $ — $ — Restricted investments (a) 301 301 301 — — Investment of captive insurance company (b) 7 7 7 — — Foreign currency derivatives 6 6 — 6 — Total assets at fair value $ 667 $ 667 $ 661 $ 6 $ — Liabilities Foreign currency derivatives $ 5 $ 5 $ — $ 5 $ — (a) Included in restricted investments is $24 million classified in the other current assets caption on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. (b) Included in other noncurrent assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table summarizes financial asset instruments subject to recurring fair value measurements as of September 30, 2019. Carrying Total fair Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs (In millions) value value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 232 $ 232 $ 232 $ — $ — Restricted investments (a) 334 334 334 — — Investment of captive insurance company (b) 5 5 5 — — Foreign currency derivatives 2 2 — 2 — Total assets at fair value $ 573 $ 573 $ 571 $ 2 $ — Liabilities Foreign currency derivatives $ 2 $ 2 $ — $ 2 $ — (a) Included in restricted investments is $24 million classified in the other current assets caption on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. (b) Included in other noncurrent assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Restricted investments Investment income and realized gains and losses on these company-restricted investments are reported within the net interest and other expense caption on the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). The following table provides a summary of the activity within the investment portfolio as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019: (In millions) March 31 2020 September 30 2019 Original cost $ 335 $ 335 Accumulated adjustments, net (a) (30 ) (47 ) Adjusted cost, beginning of year 305 288 Investment income (b) 7 10 Net unrealized gain (c) 6 29 Realized gains (c) — 32 Settlement funds 2 7 Disbursements (19 ) (32 ) Fair value $ 301 $ 334 (a) The accumulated adjustments include investment income, realized gains, disbursements and settlements recorded in previous periods. (b) Investment income for the demand deposit includes interest income as well as dividend income transferred from the equity and corporate bond mutual funds. (c) Presented under the original cost method. The following table presents gross unrealized gains and losses for the restricted investment securities as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019: Gross Gross (In millions) Adjusted Cost Unrealized Gain Unrealized Loss Fair Value As of March 31, 2020 Demand deposit $ 7 $ — $ — $ 7 Equity mutual fund 116 11 (12 ) 115 Fixed income mutual fund 173 6 — 179 $ 296 $ 17 $ (12 ) $ 301 As of September 30, 2019 Demand deposit $ 9 $ — $ — $ 9 Equity mutual fund 120 24 (2 ) 142 Fixed income mutual fund 176 7 — 183 $ 305 $ 31 $ (2 ) $ 334 The following table presents the investment income, net gains and losses realized and disbursements related to the investments within the portfolio for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Investment income $ 3 $ 2 $ 7 $ 5 Net gains (losses) unrealized (a) (32 ) 27 (23 ) (3 ) Disbursements (9 ) (12 ) (19 ) (20 ) (a) Ashland determined that all unrealized gains and losses were related to equity securities with readily determinable fair values. Due to the new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the net unrealized gains (losses) during the three months ended December 31, 2018 and forward were recorded within the net interest and other expense caption in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). Foreign currency derivatives Ashland conducts business in a variety of foreign currencies. Accordingly, Ashland regularly uses foreign currency derivative instruments to manage exposure on certain transactions denominated in foreign currencies to curtail potential earnings volatility effects on certain assets and liabilities, including short-term inter-company loans, denominated in currencies other than Ashland’s functional currency of an entity. These derivative contracts generally require exchange of one foreign currency for another at a fixed rate at a future date and generally have maturities of less than twelve months. All contracts are valued at fair value with net changes in fair value recorded within the selling, general and administrative expense caption. The impacts of these contracts were largely offset by gains and losses resulting from the impact of changes in exchange rates on transactions denominated in non-functional currencies. The following table summarizes the net gains and losses recognized during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 within the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Foreign currency derivative gains (losses) $ 3 $ 3 $ 4 $ 4 The following table summarizes the fair values of the outstanding foreign currency derivatives as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 included in accounts receivable and accrued expenses and other liabilities of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. March 31 September 30 (In millions) 2020 2019 Foreign currency derivative assets $ 6 $ 2 Notional contract values 169 271 Foreign currency derivative liabilities $ 5 $ 2 Notional contract values 300 168 Other financial instruments At March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, Ashland's long-term debt (including the current portion and excluding debt issuance cost discounts) had a carrying value of $1,550 million and $1,513 million, respectively, compared to a fair value of $1,567 million and $1,680 million, respectively. The fair values of long-term debt are based on quoted market prices or, if market prices are not available, the present values of the underlying cash flows discounted at Ashland’s incremental borrowing rates.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	NOTE F – INVENTORIES Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories are primarily stated at cost using the weighted-average cost method. In addition, certain inventories are valued at cost using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. The following table summarizes Ashland’s inventories as of the reported Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet dates. (In millions) March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 Finished products $ 420 $ 400 Raw materials, supplies and work in process 191 197 $ 611 $ 597

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Other Intangibles	NOTE G – GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES Goodwill Ashland tests goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually as of July 1 and when events and circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. Ashland tests goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units (for goodwill) and other indefinite-lived intangible assets to the related carrying value. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit or other indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its estimated fair value, Ashland records an impairment loss based on the difference between fair value and carrying amount, in the case of reporting units, not to exceed to the associated carrying amount of goodwill. During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, Ashland realigned its operations into five reportable segments which resulted in a reassessment of the Company’s reporting units used to evaluate goodwill impairment. The Company’s reporting units align with its reportable segments. Ashland determined that its reporting units are Life Sciences, Personal Care & Household, Specialty Additives, Performance Adhesives, and Intermediates and Solvents. Prior to the business realignment, the reporting units consisted of Ashland Specialty Ingredients and Intermediates and Solvents. The Ashland Specialty Ingredients reporting unit contained all of Ashland’s reported goodwill at September 30, 2019. In conjunction with the realignment, Ashland tested goodwill for impairment for each reporting unit both immediately before and immediately after the business realignment. The fair values of the reporting units were determined using a combination of discounted cash flow models and valuations based on earnings multiples for guideline public companies in each reporting unit’s industry peer group. Significant assumptions inherent in the valuation methodologies include estimates of future projected business results (principally revenue and EBITDA), long-term growth rates, and the weighted-average cost of capital. The goodwill impairment test under the former reporting unit structure concluded that no impairment existed during the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Ashland then allocated goodwill to the new reporting unit structure using a relative fair value approach and re-assessed goodwill for impairment for each of its new reporting units. The impairment test under the new reporting unit structure concluded that the carrying value of the Personal Care & Household and the Specialty Additives reporting units exceeded their fair value, resulting in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $530 million, which was recorded within the Goodwill impairment caption within the Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. The Personal Care & Household goodwill impairment charge was due in large part to lower growth and lower margins since the acquisition of the Oral Care and Avoca businesses, which collectively have resulted in reduced cash flow projections. The Specialty Additives goodwill impairment charge was also due in large part to lower growth and lower margins within the global construction and energy markets, which collectively have resulted in reduced cash flow projections. The following is a progression of goodwill by reportable segment for the six months ended March 31, 2020. (In millions) Life Sciences Personal Care & Household Specialty Additives Performance Adhesives Intermediates and Solvents (a) Total Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 836 $ 355 $ 609 $ 453 $ — $ 2,253 Impairment — (356 ) (174 ) — — (530 ) Currency translation (1 ) 1 — — — — Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 835 $ — $ 435 $ 453 $ — $ 1,723 (a) As of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, there was accumulated impairment of $90 million related to the Intermediates and Solvents reportable segment. Other intangible assets Intangible assets principally consist of trademarks and trade names, intellectual property and customer and supplier relationships. Intangible assets classified as finite are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The cost of trademarks and trade names is amortized principally over 3 to 25 years, intellectual property over 5 to 25 years, and customer and supplier relationships over 3 to 24 years. Ashland annually reviews, as of July 1, indefinite-lived intangible assets for possible impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Ashland tested its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 as a result of the business realignment. Trademarks and trade names are valued using a “relief-from-royalty” valuation method compared to the carrying value. No impairment was indicated for trademarks and trade names. Intangible assets were comprised of the following as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019. March 31, 2020 Gross Net carrying Accumulated carrying (In millions) amount amortization amount Definite-lived intangibles Trademarks and trade names $ 66 $ (30 ) $ 36 Intellectual property 710 (413 ) 297 Customer and supplier relationships 742 (309 ) 433 Total definite-lived intangibles 1,518 (752 ) 766 Indefinite-lived intangibles Trademarks and trade names 278 — 278 Total intangible assets $ 1,796 $ (752 ) $ 1,044 September 30, 2019 Gross Net carrying Accumulated carrying (In millions) amount amortization amount Definite-lived intangibles Trademarks and trade names $ 66 $ (29 ) $ 37 Intellectual property 712 (391 ) 321 Customer and supplier relationships 744 (292 ) 452 Total definite-lived intangibles 1,522 (712 ) 810 Indefinite-lived intangibles Trademarks and trade names 278 — 278 Total intangible assets $ 1,800 $ (712 ) $ 1,088 Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets was

Debt

Debt	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	NOTE H – DEBT The following table summarizes Ashland’s current and long-term debt as of the dates reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. (In millions) March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 4.750% notes, due 2022 $ 410 $ 1,080 2.00% Senior Notes, due 2028 (Euro 500 million principal) 551 — 6.875% notes, due 2043 282 374 Term loan A, due 2025 250 — Accounts receivable securitizations 209 144 6.50% junior subordinated notes, due 2029 54 54 Revolving credit facility 240 — Other (a) 10 15 Total debt 2,006 1,667 Short-term debt (includes current portion of long-term debt) (471 ) (166 ) Long-term debt (less current portion) $ 1,535 $ 1,501 (a) Includes $15 million and $12 million of debt issuance cost discounts as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively. Additionally, as of both March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, Other included a European short-term loan facility with an outstanding balance of $22 million. The scheduled aggregate maturities of long-term debt by year (including the current portion and excluding debt issuance costs) are as follows as of March 31, 2020: zero remaining in 2020, zero in 2021, $421 million in 2022, $22 million in 2023 and $44 million in 2024. Ashland Financing Activities Credit Agreements and Refinancing During January 2020, Ashland LLC and Ashland Services B.V., indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Ashland, entered into a new senior unsecured credit agreement (the 2020 Credit Agreement) with a group of lenders, replacing the 2017 Credit Agreement. The 2020 Credit Agreement provides for (i) a $600 million unsecured five-year five-year The 2020 Credit Agreement contains financial covenants for leverage and interest coverage ratios akin to those in effect under the 2017 Credit Agreement. The 2020 Credit Agreement contains usual and customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants for leverage and interest coverage ratios, limitations on liens, additional indebtedness, further negative pledges, investments, mergers, sale of assets and restricted payments, and other customary limitations. Ashland incurred $4 million of new debt issuance costs in connection with the 2020 Credit Agreement, of which $1 million was expensed immediately during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 within the net interest and other expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). The remaining balance is amortized using either the effective interest method or straight-line method. Additionally, as a result of the termination of the 2017 Credit Agreement, Ashland recognized a $1 million charge for the accelerated amortization of previously capitalized debt issuance costs during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, which is included in the net interest and other expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). Note Issuance and existing notes tender During January 2020, a subsidiary of Ashland, Ashland Services B.V., completed the issuance of 2.00% senior unsecured notes due 2028 with an aggregate principal amount of €500 million (the 2028 Notes). The notes are senior unsecured obligations of Ashland Services B.V and initially guaranteed on an unsecured basis by each of Ashland Global Holdings Inc. and Ashland LLC. Ashland used the net proceeds of the offering (after deducting initial purchasers’ discounts and other fees and expenses), together with the proceeds of the new term loan facility and other funds of Ashland LLC or its subsidiaries, to repurchase the existing notes described below in cash tender offers, and to pay fees and expenses associated therewith. Ashland incurred $8 million of new debt issuance costs in connection with the 2028 Notes, which is amortized using the effective interest method over the Notes’ term. Open market repurchases of 4.750% notes due 2022 During the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, Ashland executed open market repurchases of its 4.750% notes due 2022 (the 2022 Notes). As a result of these repurchases, the carrying values of the 2022 notes was reduced by $670 million. Ashland recognized a $5 million charge related to accelerated accretion on debt discounts and accelerated amortization of previously capitalized debt issuance costs, which is included in the net interest and other expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. Open market repurchases of 6.875% notes due 2043 During the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, Ashland executed open market repurchases of its 6.875% notes due 2043 (the 2043 Notes). As a result of these repurchases, the carrying values of the 2043 notes was reduced by $92 million. Ashland recognized a $1 million charge related to accelerated accretion on debt premiums and accelerated amortization previously capitalized debt issuance costs, which is included in the net interest and other expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. Open market repurchases of 6.500% Junior Subordinated Debentures due 2029 During the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, Ashland executed open market repurchases of Hercules LLC’s 6.500% notes due 2029 (the 2029 Junior Debentures). As a result of these repurchases, the carrying values of the 2029 notes was reduced by $2 million. Total premiums paid for all open market purchases noted above were $59 million, which is in included in the net interest and other expenses caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. Available borrowing capacity The borrowing capacity remaining under the 2020 $600 million Revolving Credit Facility was $338 million due to an outstanding balance of $240 million, as well as a reduction of $22 million for letters of credit outstanding as of March 31, 2020. Ashland's total borrowing capacity at March 31, 2020 was $339 million, which included $1 million of available capacity from the two accounts receivable securitization facilities. Covenants related to current Ashland debt agreements Ashland's debt contains usual and customary representations, warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants for leverage and interest coverage ratios, limitations on liens, additional subsidiary indebtedness, restrictions on subsidiary distributions, investments, mergers, sale of assets and restricted payments and other customary limitations. As of March 31, 2020, Ashland is in compliance with all debt agreement covenant restrictions. The maximum consolidated net leverage ratio permitted under Ashland's most recent credit agreement (the 2020 Credit Agreement) is 4.0. At March 31, 2020, Ashland’s calculation of the consolidated net leverage ratio was 3.1. The minimum required consolidated interest coverage ratio under the 2020 Credit Agreement during its entire duration is 3.0. At March 31, 2020, Ashland’s calculation of the interest coverage ratio was 7.7.

Leasing Arrangements

Leasing Arrangements	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leasing Arrangements	NOTE I – LEASING ARRANGEMENTS Ashland determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception and determine its classification as an operating or finance lease at lease commencement. Ashland leases certain office buildings, transportation equipment, warehouses and storage facilities, and equipment. All of Ashland’s leases are operating leases. Real estate leases represent approximately 87% of the total lease liability. Operating lease assets and obligations are reflected within operating lease assets, net; current operating lease obligations; and non-current operating lease obligations captions on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Lease expense for these leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, with variable lease payments recognized in the period those payments are incurred. The components of lease cost recognized within our Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) were as follows: (In millions) Location Three months ended March 31, 2020 Six months ended March 31, 2020 Lease cost: Operating lease cost Selling, General & Administrative $ 3 $ 8 Operating lease cost Cost of Sales 3 6 Variable lease cost Selling, General & Administrative 2 2 Variable lease cost Cost of Sales 2 4 Short-term leases Cost of Sales 2 3 Total lease cost $ 12 $ 23 The following table summarizes Ashland’s lease assets and liabilities as presented in the March 31, 2020 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet: (In millions) March 31, 2020 Assets Operating lease assets, net $ 144 Total lease assets 144 Liabilities Current operating lease obligations $ 23 Non-current operating lease obligations 131 Total lease liabilities $ 154 Ashland often has options to renew lease terms for buildings and other assets. The exercise of lease renewal options are generally at Ashland’s sole discretion. In addition, certain lease arrangements may be terminated prior to their original expiration date at Ashland’s discretion. Ashland evaluates renewal and termination options at the lease commencement date to determine if it is reasonably certain to exercise the option on the basis of economic factors. The weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases as of March 31, 2020 was 15 years. Residual value guarantees are not common within Ashland’s lease agreements nor are restrictions or covenants imposed by leases. Ashland has elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components. The discount rate implicit within the leases is generally not determinable. Therefore, Ashland determines the discount rate based on its incremental borrowing rate. The incremental borrowing rate is determined using a buildup method resulting in an estimated range of secured borrowing rates matching the lease term and the currency of the jurisdiction in which lease payments are made, adjusted for impacts of collateral. Consideration was given to Ashland’s own relevant debt issuances as well as debt instruments of comparable companies with similar credit characteristics. The weighted average discount rate used to measure operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2020 was 3.2%. There are no leases that have not yet commenced but that create significant rights and obligations for Ashland. Right-of-use assets exchanged for new operating lease obligations were $1 million and $2 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities: (In millions) Three months ended March 31, 2020 Six months ended March 31, 2020 Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 5 $ 14 Maturity Analysis of Lease Liabilities Maturities of lease liabilities are shown below as of March 31, 2020: (In millions) As of March 31, 2020 Remainder of 2020 $ 13 2021 26 2022 34 2023 16 2024 13 Thereafter $ 100 Total lease payments 202 Less amount of lease payment representing interest (48 ) Total present value of lease payments $ 154 As of September 30, 2019, under the previous guidance, the future minimum rental payments are as follows: (In millions) As of September 30, 2019 2020 $ 29 2021 27 2022 34 2023 15 2024 13 Thereafter 110 Total lease payments $ 228

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	NOTE J – INCOME TAXES Current fiscal year Ashland’s effective tax rate in any interim period is subject to adjustments related to discrete items and the mix of domestic and foreign operating results. The overall effective tax rate was a benefit of 2% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 6% for the six months ended March 31, 2020. The current quarter rate was impacted by nondeductible goodwill impairment of $527 million of the $530 million charge taken during the quarter. The current six months tax rate was impacted by the nondeductible goodwill impairment and favorable tax discrete item from the tax benefit related to the Swiss Tax Reform. Prior fiscal year The overall effective tax rate was 2% for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and a negative 2500% for the six months ended March 31, 2019. The quarter tax rate was primarily impacted by certain nondeductible restructuring costs, as well as $11 million in favorable tax discrete items including nontaxable earnings in deferred compensation related investments and other items. The six month period was primarily impacted by the items referenced in the three-month period, as well as a net $30 million from unfavorable tax discrete items including the final assessment of the Tax Act and other items. Unrecognized tax benefits Changes in unrecognized tax benefits are summarized as follows for the six months ended March 31, 2020. (In millions) Balance at October 1, 2019 $ 165 Increases related to positions taken on items from prior years 2 Decreases related to positions taken on items from prior years (1 ) Increases related to positions taken in the current year 3 Lapse of statute of limitations (2 ) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 167 From a combination of statute expirations and audit settlements in the next twelve months, Ashland expects a decrease in the amount accrued for uncertain tax positions of between $1 million and $3 million for continuing operations. It is reasonably possible that there could be other material changes to the amount of uncertain tax positions due to activities of the taxing authorities, settlement of audit issues or the reassessment of existing uncertain tax positions; however, Ashland is not able to estimate the impact of these items at this time.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	NOTE K - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Plan contributions For the six months ended March 31, 2020, Ashland contributed $3 million to its non-U.S. pension plans and zero to its U.S. pension plans. Ashland expects to make additional contributions of approximately $2 million to its non-U.S. plans and $1 million to its U.S. plans during the remainder of 2020. Plan remeasurement Ashland settled a non-U.S. pension plan during the first quarter of fiscal 2019, which required the plan to be remeasured. This remeasurement resulted in a curtailment gain of $18 million. Components of net periodic benefit costs (income) The following table details the components of pension and other postretirement benefit costs for continuing operations. Pension benefits Other postretirement benefits (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Three months ended March 31 Service cost $ 1 $ 1 $ — $ — Interest cost 2 2 — 1 Expected return on plan assets (2 ) (2 ) — — Curtailment — — — — Total net periodic benefit costs $ 1 $ 1 $ — $ 1 Six months ended March 31 Service cost $ 2 $ 3 $ — $ — Interest cost 3 5 1 1 Expected return on plan assets (4 ) (5 ) — — Curtailment — (18 ) — — Total net periodic benefit costs (income) $ 1 $ (15 ) $ 1 $ 1 For segment reporting purposes, service cost is proportionately allocated to each segment, excluding the Unallocated and other segment, and is recorded within the selling, general and administrative expense and cost of sales captions on the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Loss (Income). All other components are recorded within the other net periodic benefit income caption on the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Loss (Income).

Litigation, Claims and Continge

Litigation, Claims and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Litigation, Claims and Contingencies	NOTE L Asbestos litigation Ashland is subject to liabilities from claims alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos. Such claims result from indemnification obligations undertaken in 1990 in connection with the sale of Riley Stoker Corporation (Riley) and the acquisition of Hercules in November 2008. Although Riley, a former subsidiary, was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos, its industrial boilers contained some asbestos-containing components provided by other companies. Hercules, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashland, has liabilities from claims alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos. Such claims typically arise from alleged exposure to asbestos fibers from resin encapsulated pipe and tank products sold by one of Hercules’ former subsidiaries to a limited industrial market. To assist in developing and annually updating independent reserve estimates for future asbestos claims and related costs given various assumptions for Ashland and Hercules asbestos claims, Ashland retained Nathan Associates Inc. (Nathan). The methodology used by Nathan to project future asbestos costs is based largely on recent experience, including claim-filing and settlement rates, disease mix, enacted legislation, open claims and litigation defense. The claim experience of Ashland and Hercules are separately compared to the results of previously conducted third party epidemiological studies estimating the number of people likely to develop asbestos-related diseases. Those studies were undertaken in connection with national analyses of the population expected to have been exposed to asbestos. Using that information, Nathan estimates a range of the number of future claims that may be filed, as well as the related costs that may be incurred in resolving those claims. Changes in asbestos-related liabilities and receivables are recorded on an after-tax basis within the discontinued operations caption in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). Ashland asbestos-related litigation The claims alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos asserted against Ashland result primarily from indemnification obligations undertaken in 1990 in connection with the sale of Riley. The amount and timing of settlements and number of open claims can fluctuate from period to period. A summary of Ashland asbestos claims activity, excluding Hercules claims, follows. Six months ended March 31 Years ended September 30 (In thousands) 2020 2019 2019 2018 2017 Open claims - beginning of year 53 53 53 54 57 New claims filed 1 1 2 2 2 Claims settled — — (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) Claims dismissed (4 ) (1 ) (1 ) (2 ) (4 ) Open claims - end of period 50 53 53 53 54 Ashland asbestos-related liability From the range of estimates, Ashland records the amount it believes to be the best estimate of future payments for litigation defense and claim settlement costs, which generally approximates the mid-point of the estimated range of exposure from model results. Ashland reviews this estimate and related assumptions quarterly and annually updates the results of a non-inflated, non-discounted approximate 50-year model developed with the assistance of Nathan. During the most recent annual update of this estimate completed during the June 2019 quarter, it was determined that the liability for Ashland asbestos-related claims should be increased by $1 million. Total reserves for asbestos claims were $337 million at March 31, 2020 compared to $352 million at September 30, 2019. A progression of activity in the asbestos reserve is presented in the following table. Six months ended March 31 Years ended September 30 (In millions) 2020 2019 2019 2018 2017 Asbestos reserve - beginning of year $ 352 $ 380 $ 380 $ 419 $ 415 Reserve adjustment — — 1 (8 ) 36 Amounts paid (15 ) (14 ) (29 ) (31 ) (32 ) Asbestos reserve - end of period (a) $ 337 $ 366 $ 352 $ 380 $ 419 (a) Included Ashland asbestos-related receivables Ashland has insurance coverage for certain litigation defense and claim settlement costs incurred in connection with its asbestos claims, and coverage-in-place agreements exist with the insurance companies that provide substantially all of the coverage that will be accessed. For the Ashland asbestos-related obligations, Ashland has estimated the value of probable insurance recoveries associated with its asbestos reserve based on management’s interpretations and estimates surrounding the available or applicable insurance coverage, including an assumption that all solvent insurance carriers remain solvent. A substantial portion of the estimated receivables from insurance companies are expected to be due from domestic insurers. At March 31, 2020, Ashland’s receivable for recoveries of litigation defense and claim settlement costs from insurers amounted to $109 million (excluding the Hercules receivable for asbestos claims) compared to $123 million at September 30, 2019. During the June 2019 quarter, the annual update of the model used for purposes of valuing the asbestos reserve and its impact on valuation of future recoveries from insurers was completed. This model update resulted in a $5 million decrease in the receivable for probable insurance recoveries. A progression of activity in the Ashland insurance receivable is presented in the following table. Six months ended March 31 Years ended September 30 (In millions) 2020 2019 2019 2018 2017 Insurance receivable - beginning of year $ 123 $ 140 $ 140 $ 155 $ 151 Receivable adjustment — — (5 ) (5 ) 15 Insurance settlement (10 ) — — — (5 ) Amounts collected (4 ) (4 ) (12 ) (10 ) (6 ) Insurance receivable - end of period (a) $ 109 $ 136 $ 123 $ 140 $ 155 (a) Included $13 million and $15 million classified in accounts receivable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively. Hercules asbestos-related litigation Hercules has liabilities from claims alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos. Such claims typically arise from alleged exposure to asbestos fibers from resin encapsulated pipe and tank products which were sold by one of Hercules’ former subsidiaries to a limited industrial market. The amount and timing of settlements and number of open claims can fluctuate from period to period. A summary of Hercules’ asbestos claims activity follows. Six months ended March 31 Years ended September 30 (In thousands) 2020 2019 2019 2018 2017 Open claims - beginning of year 13 13 13 12 15 New claims filed — — 1 2 1 Claims dismissed — (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) (4 ) Open claims - end of period 13 12 13 13 12 Hercules asbestos-related liability From the range of estimates, Ashland records the amount it believes to be the best estimate of future payments for litigation defense and claim settlement costs, which generally approximates the mid-point of the estimated range of exposure from model results. Ashland reviews this estimate, and related assumptions quarterly and annually updates the results of a non-inflated, non-discounted approximate 50-year model developed with the assistance of Nathan. As a result of the most recent annual update of this estimate, completed during the June 2019 quarter, it was determined that the liability for Hercules asbestos-related claims should be decreased by $10 million. Total reserves for asbestos claims were $242 million at March 31, 2020 compared to $252 A progression of activity in the asbestos reserve is presented in the following table. Six months ended March 31 Years ended September 30 (In millions) 2020 2019 2019 2018 2017 Asbestos reserve - beginning of year $ 252 $ 282 $ 282 $ 323 $ 321 Reserve adjustments — — (10 ) (19 ) 16 Amounts paid (10 ) (10 ) (20 ) (22 ) (14 ) Asbestos reserve - end of period (a) $ 242 $ 272 $ 252 $ 282 $ 323 (a) Included Hercules asbestos-related receivables For the Hercules asbestos-related obligations, certain reimbursement obligations pursuant to coverage-in-place agreements with insurance carriers exist. Ashland has estimated the value of probable insurance recoveries associated with its asbestos reserve based on management’s interpretations and estimates surrounding the available or applicable insurance coverage, including an assumption that all solvent insurance carriers remain solvent. The estimated receivable consists exclusively of solvent domestic insurers. As of March 31, 2020, Ashland’s receivable for recoveries of litigation defense and claims costs from insurers with respect to Hercules amounted to $49 million. During the June 2019 quarter, the annual update of the model used for purposes of valuing the asbestos reserve and its impact on valuation of future recoveries from insurers was completed. This model update resulted in a decrease of $5 million in the receivable for probable insurance recoveries. A progression of activity in the Hercules insurance receivable is presented in the following table. Six months ended March 31 Years ended September 30 (In millions) 2020 2019 2019 2018 2017 Insurance receivable - beginning of year $ 49 $ 54 $ 54 $ 68 $ 63 Receivable adjustment — — (5 ) (14 ) 5 Insurance receivable - end of period $ 49 $ 54 $ 49 $ 54 $ 68 Asbestos litigation cost projection Projecting future asbestos costs is subject to numerous variables that are extremely difficult to predict. In addition to the significant uncertainties surrounding the number of claims that might be received, other variables include the type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, the long latency period associated with asbestos exposure, mortality rates, dismissal rates, costs of medical treatment, the impact of bankruptcies of other companies that are co-defendants in claims, uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, and the impact of potential changes in legislative or judicial standards. Furthermore, any predictions with respect to these variables are subject to even greater uncertainty as the projection period lengthens. Considering these inherent uncertainties, Ashland believes that the asbestos reserves for Ashland and Hercules represent the best estimate within a range of possible outcomes. As a part of the process to develop these estimates of future asbestos costs, a range of long-term cost models was developed. These models are based on national studies that predict the number of people likely to develop asbestos-related diseases and are heavily influenced by assumptions regarding long-term inflation rates for indemnity payments and legal defense costs, as well as other variables mentioned previously. Ashland has currently estimated in various models ranging from approximately 40 to 50 year periods that it is reasonably possible that total future litigation defense and claim settlement costs on an inflated and undiscounted basis could range as high as approximately $600 million for the Ashland asbestos-related litigation (current reserve of $337 million) and approximately $450 million for the Hercules asbestos-related litigation (current reserve of $242 million), depending on the combination of assumptions selected in the various models. If actual experience is worse than projected, relative to the number of claims filed, the severity of alleged disease associated with those claims or costs incurred to resolve those claims, or actuarial refinement or improvements to the assumptions used within these models are initiated, Ashland may need to further increase the estimates of the costs associated with asbestos claims and these increases could be material over time. Environmental remediation and asset retirement obligations Ashland is subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that require environmental assessment or remediation efforts (collectively, environmental remediation) at multiple locations. At March 31, 2020, such locations included 79 waste treatment or disposal sites where Ashland has been identified as a potentially responsible party under Superfund or similar state laws, 113 current and former operating facilities (including certain operating facilities conveyed as part of the MAP Transaction) and about 1,225 service station properties, of which 28 are being actively remediated. Ashland’s reserves for environmental remediation and related environmental litigation amounted to $178 million at March 31, 2020 compared to $186 million at September 30, 2019, of which $135 million at March 31, 2020 and $143 million at September 30, 2019 were classified in other noncurrent liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The remaining reserves were classified in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the environmental remediation reserves during the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Six months ended March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 Reserve - beginning of period $ 186 $ 187 Disbursements (19 ) (15 ) Revised obligation estimates and accretion 11 7 Reserve - end of period $ 178 $ 179 The total reserves for environmental remediation reflect Ashland’s estimates of the most likely costs that will be incurred over an extended period to remediate identified conditions for which the costs are reasonably estimable, without regard to any third-party recoveries. Engineering studies, probability techniques, historical experience and other factors are used to identify and evaluate remediation alternatives and their related costs in determining the estimated reserves for environmental remediation. Ashland continues to discount certain environmental sites and regularly adjusts its reserves as environmental remediation continues. Ashland has estimated the value of its probable insurance recoveries associated with its environmental reserve based on management’s interpretations and estimates surrounding the available or applicable insurance coverage. At March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, Ashland’s recorded receivable for these probable insurance recoveries was $14 million and $13 million, Components of environmental remediation expense included within the selling, general and administrative expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) are presented in the following table for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Environmental expense $ 8 $ 3 $ 10 $ 6 Accretion 1 1 1 1 Legal expense 1 2 3 3 Total expense 10 6 14 10 Insurance receivable (3 ) — (3 ) (1 ) Total expense, net of receivable activity (a) $ 7 $ 6 $ 11 $ 9 (a) Net expense of $2 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, and $1 million and $2 million the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, respectively, relates to divested businesses which qualified for treatment as discontinued operations for which certain environmental liabilities were retained by Ashland. These amounts are classified within the income from discontinued operations caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (loss). Environmental remediation reserves are subject to numerous inherent uncertainties that affect Ashland’s ability to estimate its share of the costs. Such uncertainties involve the nature and extent of contamination at each site, the extent of required cleanup efforts under existing environmental regulations, widely varying costs of alternate cleanup methods, changes in environmental regulations, the potential effect of continuing improvements in remediation technology, and the number and financial strength of other potentially responsible parties at multiparty sites. Although it is not possible to predict with certainty the ultimate costs of environmental remediation, Ashland currently estimates that the upper end of the reasonably possible range of future costs for identified sites could be as high as approximately $425 million. The largest reserve for any site is 15% of the remediation reserve. Other legal proceedings and claims In addition to the matters described above, there are other various claims, lawsuits and administrative proceedings pending or threatened against Ashland and its current and former subsidiaries. Such actions are with respect to commercial matters, product liability, toxic tort liability, and other environmental matters, which seek remedies or damages, some of which are for substantial amounts. While Ashland cannot predict with certainty the outcome of such actions, it believes that adequate reserves have been recorded and losses already recognized with respect to such actions were immaterial as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019. There is a reasonable possibility that a loss exceeding amounts already recognized may be incurred related to these actions; however, Ashland believes that such potential losses were immaterial as of March 31, 2020.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	NOTE M The following is the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations attributable to Ashland. Stock appreciation rights (SARs), stock options and warrants available to purchase shares outstanding for each reporting period whose grant price was greater than the average market price of Ashland Common Stock for each applicable period were not included in the computation of income from continuing operations per diluted share because the effect of these instruments would be antidilutive. The total number of these shares outstanding was approximately 2 million and 1 million at March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Earnings per share is reported under the treasury stock method. Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions, except per share data) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Numerator Numerator for basic and diluted EPS - Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (575 ) $ 45 $ (541 ) $ (26 ) Denominator Denominator for basic EPS - Weighted- average common shares outstanding 61 63 61 63 Share based awards convertible to common shares (a) — 1 — — Denominator for diluted EPS - Adjusted weighted- average shares and assumed conversions 61 64 61 63 EPS from continuing operations Basic $ (9.48 ) $ 0.72 $ (8.93 ) $ (0.41 ) Diluted (9.48 ) 0.71 (8.93 ) (0.41 ) (a) As a result of the loss from continuing operations attributable to Ashland during the three and six months ended March 31,2020, respectively and the six months ended March 31, 2019, the effect of the share-based awards convertible to common shares would be antidilutive and have been excluded from the diluted EPS calculation.

Equity Items

Equity Items	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Equity Items	NOTE N Stockholder dividends Dividends of 27.5 cents per share were paid in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2020, and the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2019. These dividends represented a 10% increase over the previous quarterly cash dividend of 25 cents per share paid in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2019. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Components of other comprehensive income (loss) recorded in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) are presented below, before tax and net of tax effects. 2020 2019 (In millions) Before tax Tax (expense) benefit Net of tax Before tax Tax (expense) benefit Net of tax Three months ended March 31 Other comprehensive income (loss) Unrealized translation gain (loss) $ (52 ) $ — $ (52 ) $ (9 ) $ — $ (9 ) Pension and postretirement obligation adjustment: Adjustment of unrecognized prior service costs — — — — — — Total other comprehensive income (loss) $ (52 ) $ — $ (52 ) $ (9 ) $ — $ (9 ) Six months ended March 31 Other comprehensive income (loss) Unrealized translation gain (loss) $ (14 ) $ — $ (14 ) $ (40 ) $ — $ (40 ) Pension and postretirement obligation adjustment: Adjustment of unrecognized prior service costs — — — (7 ) 1 (6 ) Total other comprehensive income (loss) (14 ) — (14 ) (47 ) 1 (46 ) Summary of stockholders’ equity A reconciliation of changes in stockholders’ equity are as follows: Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Common stock and paid in capital Balance, beginning of period $ 758 $ 948 $ 757 $ 947 Common shares issued under stock incentive and other plans (a) 8 5 9 6 Balance, end of period 766 953 766 953 Retained earnings Balance, beginning of period 3,239 2,719 3,224 2,750 Adoption of new accounting pronouncements (b) — 1 — 34 Net income (loss) (582 ) 76 (550 ) 28 Regular dividends (16 ) (16 ) (33 ) (32 ) Balance, end of period 2,641 2,780 2,641 2,780 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Balance, beginning of period (372 ) (362 ) (410 ) (291 ) Adoption of new accounting pronouncements (b) — — — (34 ) Unrealized translation gain (loss) (52 ) (9 ) (14 ) (40 ) Pension and postretirement obligation adjustment — — — (6 ) Net change in investment securities — — — — Balance, end of period (424 ) (371 ) (424 ) (371 ) Total stockholders' equity $ 2,983 $ 3,362 $ 2,983 $ 3,362 Cash dividends declared per common share 0.275 0.250 $ 0.550 $ 0.500 (a) Common shares issued were 208,564 shares and 93,738 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and 279,025 shares and 234,352 shares for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. (b) Represents the cumulative-effect adjustment related to the adoption of the new guidance related to the accounting for equity securities and tax effects of intercompany transfers during fiscal 2019.

Stock Incentive Plans

Stock Incentive Plans	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock Incentive Plans	NOTE O – STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS The components of Ashland’s pre-tax stock-based compensation expense included in continuing operations are as follows: Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 (a) 2019 (b) 2020 (a) 2019 (b) SARs $ 1 $ 2 $ 3 $ 4 Nonvested stock awards 3 6 5 10 Performance share awards — 2 1 2 $ 4 $ 10 $ 9 $ 16 (a) Included zero million and $1 million of expense related to cash-settled nonvested restricted stock awards during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and zero (b) Included $2 million and $3 million of expense related to cash-settled nonvested restricted stock awards during the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 and $2 million of expense related to cash-settled performance units during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Revenue

Revenue	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Revenue	NOTE P – REVENUE Revenue recognition Ashland’s revenue is measured as the amount of consideration it expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services and is recognized when performance obligations are satisfied under the terms of contracts with customers. Ashland generally utilizes standardized language for the terms of contracts, unless a separate agreement has been entered into with a customer that supersedes the standard language. A performance obligation is deemed to be satisfied by Ashland when control of the product or service is transferred to the customer. The transaction price of a contract, or the amount Ashland expects to receive upon satisfaction of all performance obligations, is determined by reference to the contract’s terms and includes adjustments, if applicable, for any variable consideration, such as volume discounts, rebates, refunds and right to return. Where a contract contains more than one distinct performance obligation, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the standalone selling price of each performance obligation, although these situations do not occur frequently and are generally not included within Ashland’s contracts. Any unsatisfied performance obligations are not material. Standalone selling prices are based on prices Ashland charges to customers, which in some cases is based on established market prices. Ashland generally collects the cash from its customers within 60 days of the product delivery date. Sales and other similar taxes collected from customers on behalf of third parties are excluded from the contract price. All of Ashland’s revenue is derived from contracts with customers, and nearly all contracts with customers contain one performance obligation for the transfer of goods where such performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time. Control of a product is deemed to be transferred to the customer generally upon shipment or delivery. Costs for shipping and handling activities, whether performed before or after the customer obtains control of the goods, are accounted for as fulfillment costs when not reimbursed. Costs incurred to obtain contracts with customers have historically not been significant and are expensed immediately as the amortization period is generally one year or less. Ashland records bad debt expense in specific situations when it is determined that the customer is unable to meet its financial obligation. Trade receivables Trade receivables are defined as receivables arising from contracts with customers and are recorded within the accounts receivable caption within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Ashland’s trade receivables were $458 million and $435 million as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively. Disaggregation of revenue Ashland disaggregates its revenue by segment and geographical region as Ashland believes these categories best depict how management reviews the financial performance of its operations. See the following tables for details (intersegment sales eliminations have been excluded). See Note Q for additional information.: Sales by geography Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Life Sciences North America $ 59 $ 67 $ 108 $ 126 Europe 63 61 112 110 Asia Pacific 43 48 85 95 Latin America & other 19 20 35 35 $ 184 $ 196 $ 340 $ 366 Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Personal Care & Household North America $ 50 $ 48 $ 91 $ 91 Europe 69 86 124 149 Asia Pacific 22 27 46 55 Latin America & other 18 22 35 42 $ 159 $ 183 $ 296 $ 337 Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Specialty Additives North America $ 53 $ 57 $ 98 $ 105 Europe 59 62 109 112 Asia Pacific 33 39 68 78 Latin America & other 10 11 19 21 $ 155 $ 169 $ 294 $ 316 Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Performance Adhesives North America $ 73 $ 75 $ 137 $ 144 Europe 9 11 16 19 Asia Pacific 1 1 3 3 Latin America & other 2 2 3 5 $ 85 $ 89 $ 159 $ 171 Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Intermediates and Solvents North America $ 23 $ 29 $ 37 $ 50 Europe 6 6 11 11 Asia Pacific 6 7 13 13 Latin America & other 2 2 3 3 $ 37 $ 44 $ 64 $ 77

Reportable Segment Information

Reportable Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reportable Segment Information	NOTE Q – REPORTABLE SEGMENT INFORMATION Ashland determines its reportable segments based on how operations are managed internally for the products and services sold to customers, including how the results are reviewed by the chief operating decision maker, which includes determining resource allocation methodologies used for reportable segments. Operating income and EBITDA are the primary measures of performance that are reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in assessing each reportable segment's financial performance. Ashland does not aggregate operating segments to arrive at these reportable segments. Change in Reportable Segments During the second quarter of fiscal year 2020, Ashland changed the manner in which it manages the business moving from a functionally led to a business led organization. This change recognizes that Ashland has a diverse portfolio of businesses with different value propositions for the markets Ashland serves. The organizational change allows Ashland to align its business models, resources and cost structure to the specific needs of each business and enables greater ownership and accountability for both short- and long-term performance. Ashland has realigned its segment reporting structure commensurate with this organizational change. As a result, Ashland’s five reportable segments include the consumer specialty businesses: Life Sciences and Personal Care & Household; the industrial specialty businesses: Specialty Additives and Performance Adhesives; and Intermediates and Solvents. Corporate includes corporate governance activities and certain legacy matters. The historical segment information has been recast to conform to the current segment structure. Reportable segment business descriptions Consumer Specialties Life Sciences is comprised of pharmaceuticals, nutrition, nutraceuticals, agricultural chemicals, advanced materials and fine chemicals. Pharmaceutical solutions include controlled release polymers, disintegrants, film coatings, solubilizers, and tablet binders. Nutrition solutions include for thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers and additives for enhancing mouthfeel, controlling moisture migration, reducing oil uptake and controlling color. Nutraceutical solutions include products for weight management, joint comfort, stomach and intestinal health, sports nutrition and general wellness, and provide custom formulation, toll processing and particle engineering solutions. Customers include pharmaceutical, food, beverage, nutraceuticals and supplements manufacturers, hospitals and radiologists and industrial manufacturers. Personal Care & Household is comprised of biofunctionals, preservatives, skin care, sun care, oral care, hair care and household. These businesses have a broad range of nature-based, biodegradable, and performance ingredients for customer-driven solutions to help protect, renew, moisturize and revitalize skin and hair, and provide solutions for toothpastes, mouth washes and rinses, denture cleaning and care for teeth. Household supplies nature-derived rheology ingredients, biodegradable surface wetting agents, performance encapsulates, and specialty polymers for household, industrial and institutional cleaning products. Customers include formulators at large multinational branded consumer products companies and smaller, independent boutique companies. Industrial Specialties Specialty Additives is comprised of rheology- and performance-enhancing additives serving the coatings, construction, energy, automotive and various industrial markets. Solutions include coatings additives for architectural paints, finishes and lacquers, cement- and gypsum- based dry mortars, ready-mixed joint compounds, synthetic plasters for commercial and residential construction, and specialty materials for industrial applications. Products include rheology modifiers (cellulosic and associative thickeners), foam-control agents, surfactants and wetting agents, pH neutralizers, advanced ceramics used in catalytic converters, and environmental filters, ingredients that aid the manufacturing process of ceramic capacitors, plasma display panels and solar cells, ingredients for textile printing, thermoplastic metals and alloys for welding. Products help improve desired functional outcomes through rheology modification and control, water retention, workability, adhesive strength, binding power, film formation, deposition and suspension and emulsification. Customers include global paint manufacturers, electronics and automotive manufacturers, textile mills, the construction industry, and welders. Performance Adhesives is comprised of adhesives used in packaging , converting and structural applications . Packaging adhesives has an extensive line of pressure sensitive adhesives, functional coatings and primers combined with innovative technology solutions for narrow-, mid- and wide-web applications. Products meet stringent requirements in food and beverage safety, shipping, transportation, health and beauty, industrial, postage and security printing. Structural adhesives include light weighting vehicles and eliminating VOCs in buildings. Customers include converters of packaging materials, manufacturers of building materials and tier one suppliers to transportation industry . Other Intermediates and Solvents is comprised of the production of 1,4 butanediol (BDO) and related derivatives, including n-methylpyrrolidone. These products are used as chemical intermediates in the production of engineering polymers and polyurethanes, and as specialty process solvents in a wide array of applications including electronics, pharmaceuticals, water filtration membranes and more. Butanediol is also provided as a feedstock to the supplied to Life Sciences, Personal Care, and Specialty Additives for use as a raw material. Unallocated and Other generally includes items such as certain significant company-wide restructuring activities, corporate governance costs and legacy costs or activities that relate to divested businesses that are no longer operated by Ashland. Reportable segment results Results of Ashland’s reportable segments are presented based on its management and internal accounting structure. The structure is specific to Ashland; therefore, the financial results of Ashland’s reportable segments are not necessarily comparable with similar information for other comparable companies. Ashland allocates all significant costs to its reportable segments except for certain significant company-wide restructuring activities, certain corporate governance costs and other costs or activities that relate to former businesses that Ashland no longer operates. The service cost component of pension and other postretirement benefits costs is allocated to each reportable segment on a ratable basis; while the remaining components of pension and other postretirement benefits costs are recorded within the other net periodic benefit income caption on the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). Ashland refines its expense allocation methodologies to the reportable segments from time to time as internal accounting practices are improved, more refined information becomes available and the industry or market changes. Significant revisions to Ashland’s methodologies are adjusted for all segments on a retrospective basis. This includes charges in the current fiscal year for certain corporate governance costs, which were previously allocated. These costs are now reflected in Unallocated and Other for all periods presented. The following table presents various financial information for each reportable segment for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions - unaudited) 2020 2019 2020 2019 SALES Life Sciences $ 184 $ 196 $ 340 $ 366 Personal Care & Household 159 183 296 337 Consumer Specialties 343 379 636 703 Specialty Additives 155 169 294 316 Performance Adhesives 85 89 159 171 Industrial Specialties 240 258 453 487 Intermediates and Solvents 37 44 64 77 Intersegment sales (a) Intermediates and Solvents (10 ) (14 ) (10 ) (24 ) $ 610 $ 667 $ 1,143 $ 1,243 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) Life Sciences $ 36 $ 33 $ 58 $ 56 Personal Care & Household (336 ) 25 (326 ) 42 Consumer Specialties (300 ) 58 (268 ) 98 Specialty Additives (161 ) (2 ) (152 ) (24 ) Performance Adhesives 16 17 27 26 Industrial Specialties (145 ) 15 (125 ) 2 Intermediates and Solvents (2 ) 9 (14 ) 11 Unallocated and other (21 ) (38 ) (44 ) (74 ) $ (468 ) $ 44 $ (451 ) $ 37 DEPRECIATION EXPENSE Life Sciences $ 8 $ 8 $ 16 $ 16 Personal Care & Household 10 10 20 21 Consumer Specialties 18 18 36 37 Specialty Additives 16 36 32 69 Performance Adhesives 3 3 6 6 Industrial Specialties 19 39 38 75 Intermediates and Solvents 3 2 6 5 Unallocated and other — 2 — 3 $ 40 $ 61 $ 80 $ 120 AMORTIZATION EXPENSE Life Sciences $ 7 $ 7 $ 14 $ 14 Personal Care & Household 9 9 18 18 Consumer Specialties 16 16 32 32 Specialty Additives 4 3 8 9 Performance Adhesives 1 1 1 1 Industrial Specialties 5 4 9 10 Intermediates and Solvents — 1 1 1 $ 21 $ 21 $ 42 $ 43 EBITDA (b) (c) Life Sciences $ 51 $ 48 $ 88 $ 86 Personal Care & Household (317 ) 44 (288 ) 81 Consumer Specialties (266 ) 92 (200 ) 167 Specialty Additives (141 ) 37 (112 ) 54 Performance Adhesives 20 21 34 33 Industrial Specialties (121 ) 58 (78 ) 87 Intermediates and Solvents 1 12 (7 ) 17 Unallocated and other (21 ) (36 ) (44 ) (71 ) $ (407 ) $ 126 $ (329 ) $ 200 March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 TOTAL ASSETS Life Sciences $ 1,973 $ 1,946 Personal Care & Household 1,019 1,366 Consumer Specialties 2,992 3,312 Specialty Additives 1,627 1,775 Performance Adhesives 613 618 Industrial Specialties 2,240 2,393 Intermediates and Solvents 176 185 Unallocated and other 1,560 1,361 $ 6,968 $ 7,251 (a) Intersegment sales from Intermediates and Solvents are accounted for at prices that approximate fair value. All other intersegment sales are accounted for at cost. (b) Excludes income (loss) from discontinued operations, other net periodic benefit income (expense) and net income (loss) on divestitures. See the Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for applicable amounts excluded. (c) Includes $20 million of accelerated depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and $39 million for the six months ended March 31, 2019.

Significant Accounting Polici_2

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of presentation The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Additionally, certain prior period information has been reclassified within the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes to conform to current period presentation. These items include the reclassification of Intangibles Amortization Expense as a separate component within operating expenses and changes in Ashland’s reportable segment and reporting unit structure. These statements omit certain information and footnote disclosures required for complete annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with Ashland Global Holdings Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries (Ashland) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. Results of operations for the period ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the expected results for the remaining quarters in the fiscal year. All amounts are presented in millions except per-share amounts. The Intangibles Amortization Expense presented within the Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) includes amortization expense related to trademarks and trade names, intellectual property, customer and supplier relationships and land use rights. Intangible assets classified as finite are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. On August 30, 2019, Ashland completed the sale of its Composites business (excluding Ashland’s maleic anhydride business (Maleic business)) and its butanediol facility in Marl, Germany (Marl facility). This disposal group represented a strategic shift in Ashland’s business and qualified as a discontinued operation. Accordingly, Composites (including the Maleic business) and the Marl facility assets, liabilities, operating results and cash flows for all periods presented have been classified as discontinued operations within the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. See Notes B and C for additional information on this divestiture. During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, Ashland changed the manner in which it manages the business, moving from a functionally led to a business led organization. This change recognizes that Ashland has a diverse portfolio of businesses with different value propositions for the markets Ashland serves. The organizational change allows Ashland to align its business models, resources and cost structure to the specific needs of each business and enable greater ownership and accountability for both short- and long- term performance. Ashland has realigned its segment reporting structure commensurate with this organizational change. As a result, Ashland’s five reportable segments include the consumer specialty businesses: Life Sciences and Personal Care & Household; the industrial specialty businesses: Specialty Additives and Performance Adhesives; and Intermediates and Solvents. Corporate includes corporate governance activities and certain legacy matters. For additional information, see Note Q.
Use of Estimates, Risks and Uncertainties	Use of estimates, risks and uncertainties The preparation of Ashland’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant items that are subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, long-lived assets (including goodwill and other intangible assets), income taxes and liabilities and receivables associated with asbestos litigation and environmental remediation. Although management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could differ significantly from the estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Ashland’s results are affected by domestic and international economic, political, legislative, regulatory and legal actions. Economic conditions, such as recessionary trends, inflation, interest and monetary exchange rates, government fiscal policies and changes in the prices of certain key raw materials, can have a significant effect on operations. While Ashland maintains reserves for anticipated liabilities and carries various levels of insurance, Ashland could be affected by civil, criminal, regulatory or administrative actions, claims or proceedings relating to asbestos, environmental remediation or other matters.
New Accounting Pronouncements	New accounting pronouncements A description of new U.S. GAAP accounting standards issued or adopted during the current year is required in interim financial reporting. A detailed listing of new accounting standards relevant to Ashland is included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. The following standards relevant to Ashland were either issued or adopted in the current fiscal year or will become effective in a subsequent period. Leases Effective October 1, 2019, Ashland adopted new accounting guidance related to lease transactions. The adoption of the new lease guidance resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities of $174 million as of October 1, 2019. The adoption did not have a material impact on Ashland’s results of operations, cash flows or debt covenants. Results for reporting periods beginning after October 1, 2019 are presented under the new accounting guidance for leases, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historical accounting treatment. Ashland elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed it to carry forward the historical lease classification. Ashland determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Ashland recognizes right-of-use assets and liabilities associated with leases based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the later of the commencement date of the lease or the October 1, 2019 implementation date. Ashland uses its incremental borrowing rate at the recognition date in determining the present value of future payments for leases that do not have a readily determinable implicit rate. Lease terms reflect options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised. For leases that include residual value guarantees or payments for terminating the lease, Ashland includes these costs in the lease liability when it is probable that they will be incurred. Right-of-use assets and obligations for short-term leases (leases with an initial term of 12 months or less) are not recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Lease expense for short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. When contracts contain lease and non-lease components, the Company generally accounted for both components as a single lease component. For additional information, see Note I. Other accounting pronouncements In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance which permits entities to reclassify tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) as a result of U.S. tax reform legislation to retained earnings. Additionally, this guidance requires entities to disclose whether they made an election to reclassify the tax effects and to disclose their accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from AOCI. This guidance became effective for Ashland on October 1, 2019. Ashland did not elect to reclassify the disproportionate amount in AOCI to retained earnings. Ashland estimated the impact of this guidance to be approximately $3 million. Ashland’s accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from AOCI is under the individual units of account method for items sold, terminated or extinguished from AOCI. In August 2017, the FASB issued accounting guidance amending the existing hedge accounting model to simplify various hedge documentation requirements while also expanding hedging abilities for certain nonfinancial and financial risk components. This guidance became effective for Ashland on October 1, 2019 and had no material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued amended accounting guidance related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. The amended accounting guidance changes the impairment model for most financial assets to require measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. This guidance will become effective for Ashland on October 1, 2020. Ashland is in the process of evaluating the effect this amended accounting guidance will have on its consolidated financial position and results of operations; however, Ashland does not expect the amended accounting guidance to have a material impact to Ashland’s Consolidated Financial Statements .
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Policy	As required by U.S. GAAP, Ashland uses applicable guidance for defining fair value, the initial recording and periodic remeasurement of certain assets and liabilities measured at fair value and related disclosures for instruments measured at fair value. Fair value accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). An instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the instrument’s fair value measurement. The three levels within the fair value hierarchy are described as follows. Level 1 – Observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability for which there is little, if any, market activity at the measurement date. Unobservable inputs reflect Ashland’s own assumptions about what market participants would use to price the asset or liability. The inputs are developed based on the best information available in the circumstances, which might include Ashland’s own financial data such as internally developed pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as instruments for which the fair value determination requires significant management judgment. For assets that are measured using quoted prices in active markets (Level 1), the total fair value is the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs. Assets and liabilities that are measured using significant other observable inputs (Level 2) are primarily valued by reference to quoted prices of similar assets or liabilities in active markets, adjusted for any terms specific to that asset or liability. For all other assets and liabilities for which unobservable inputs are used (Level 3), fair value is derived using fair value models, such as a discounted cash flow model or other standard pricing models that Ashland deems reasonable.
Inventories	Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventories are primarily stated at cost using the weighted-average cost method. In addition, certain inventories are valued at cost using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill	Ashland tests goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually as of July 1 and when events and circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. Ashland tests goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units (for goodwill) and other indefinite-lived intangible assets to the related carrying value. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit or other indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its estimated fair value, Ashland records an impairment loss based on the difference between fair value and carrying amount, in the case of reporting units, not to exceed to the associated carrying amount of goodwill. During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, Ashland realigned its operations into five reportable segments which resulted in a reassessment of the Company’s reporting units used to evaluate goodwill impairment. The Company’s reporting units align with its reportable segments. Ashland determined that its reporting units are Life Sciences, Personal Care & Household, Specialty Additives, Performance Adhesives, and Intermediates and Solvents. Prior to the business realignment, the reporting units consisted of Ashland Specialty Ingredients and Intermediates and Solvents. The Ashland Specialty Ingredients reporting unit contained all of Ashland’s reported goodwill at September 30, 2019. In conjunction with the realignment, Ashland tested goodwill for impairment for each reporting unit both immediately before and immediately after the business realignment. The fair values of the reporting units were determined using a combination of discounted cash flow models and valuations based on earnings multiples for guideline public companies in each reporting unit’s industry peer group. Significant assumptions inherent in the valuation methodologies include estimates of future projected business results (principally revenue and EBITDA), long-term growth rates, and the weighted-average cost of capital. The goodwill impairment test under the former reporting unit structure concluded that no impairment existed during the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Ashland then allocated goodwill to the new reporting unit structure using a relative fair value approach and re-assessed goodwill for impairment for each of its new reporting units. The impairment test under the new reporting unit structure concluded that the carrying value of the Personal Care & Household and the Specialty Additives reporting units exceeded their fair value, resulting in a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $530 million, which was recorded within the Goodwill impairment caption within the Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020. The Personal Care & Household goodwill impairment charge was due in large part to lower growth and lower margins since the acquisition of the Oral Care and Avoca businesses, which collectively have resulted in reduced cash flow projections. The Specialty Additives goodwill impairment charge was also due in large part to lower growth and lower margins within the global construction and energy markets, which collectively have resulted in reduced cash flow projections.
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset	Intangible assets principally consist of trademarks and trade names, intellectual property and customer and supplier relationships. Intangible assets classified as finite are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. The cost of trademarks and trade names is amortized principally over 3 to 25 years, intellectual property over 5 to 25 years, and customer and supplier relationships over 3 to 24 years.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Indefinite-Lived	Ashland annually reviews, as of July 1, indefinite-lived intangible assets for possible impairment or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Ashland tested its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 as a result of the business realignment. Trademarks and trade names are valued using a “relief-from-royalty” valuation method compared to the carrying value. No impairment was indicated for trademarks and trade names.
Commitments and Contingencies Policy	Ashland is subject to liabilities from claims alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos. Such claims result from indemnification obligations undertaken in 1990 in connection with the sale of Riley Stoker Corporation (Riley) and the acquisition of Hercules in November 2008. Although Riley, a former subsidiary, was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos, its industrial boilers contained some asbestos-containing components provided by other companies. Hercules, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Ashland, has liabilities from claims alleging personal injury caused by exposure to asbestos. Such claims typically arise from alleged exposure to asbestos fibers from resin encapsulated pipe and tank products sold by one of Hercules’ former subsidiaries to a limited industrial market. To assist in developing and annually updating independent reserve estimates for future asbestos claims and related costs given various assumptions for Ashland and Hercules asbestos claims, Ashland retained Nathan Associates Inc. (Nathan). The methodology used by Nathan to project future asbestos costs is based largely on recent experience, including claim-filing and settlement rates, disease mix, enacted legislation, open claims and litigation defense. The claim experience of Ashland and Hercules are separately compared to the results of previously conducted third party epidemiological studies estimating the number of people likely to develop asbestos-related diseases. Those studies were undertaken in connection with national analyses of the population expected to have been exposed to asbestos. Using that information, Nathan estimates a range of the number of future claims that may be filed, as well as the related costs that may be incurred in resolving those claims. Changes in asbestos-related liabilities and receivables are recorded on an after-tax basis within the discontinued operations caption in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Environmental Cost Policy	The total reserves for environmental remediation reflect Ashland’s estimates of the most likely costs that will be incurred over an extended period to remediate identified conditions for which the costs are reasonably estimable, without regard to any third-party recoveries. Engineering studies, probability techniques, historical experience and other factors are used to identify and evaluate remediation alternatives and their related costs in determining the estimated reserves for environmental remediation. Ashland continues to discount certain environmental sites and regularly adjusts its reserves as environmental remediation continues. Ashland has estimated the value of its probable insurance recoveries associated with its environmental reserve based on management’s interpretations and estimates surrounding the available or applicable insurance coverage. At March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, Ashland’s recorded receivable for these probable insurance recoveries was $14 million and $13 million,
Earnings Per Share	The following is the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations attributable to Ashland. Stock appreciation rights (SARs), stock options and warrants available to purchase shares outstanding for each reporting period whose grant price was greater than the average market price of Ashland Common Stock for each applicable period were not included in the computation of income from continuing operations per diluted share because the effect of these instruments would be antidilutive. The total number of these shares outstanding was approximately 2 million and 1 million at March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Earnings per share is reported under the treasury stock method.
Segment Reporting	Ashland determines its reportable segments based on how operations are managed internally for the products and services sold to customers, including how the results are reviewed by the chief operating decision maker, which includes determining resource allocation methodologies used for reportable segments. Operating income and EBITDA are the primary measures of performance that are reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in assessing each reportable segment's financial performance. Ashland does not aggregate operating segments to arrive at these reportable segments.

Divestitures (Tables)

Divestitures (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Divestitures [Abstract]
Summary of Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale	The assets and liabilities of the Maleic business, along with certain other corporate property, have been reflected as assets and liabilities held for sale. As a result depreciation and amortization are not being recorded within the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) and the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These assets and liabilities are comprised of the following components: March 31 September 30 (In millions) 2020 2019 Accounts receivable, net $ 9 $ 5 Inventories 2 3 Net property, plant and equipment 34 34 Goodwill 14 14 Other assets 5 3 Current assets held for sale $ 64 $ 59 Trade and other payables $ 4 $ 6 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 1 1 Current liabilities held for sale $ 5 $ 7

Discontinued Operations (Tables

Discontinued Operations (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Components of Amounts in the Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) Related To Discontinued Operations	Components of amounts reflected in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) related to discontinued operations are presented in the following table for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax) Composites/Marl facility $ 4 $ 28 $ 4 $ 53 Valvoline — 1 (1 ) 1 Asbestos (7 ) — (7 ) — Water Technologies — 2 (1 ) 1 Distribution (2 ) — (2 ) (1 ) Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations (net of taxes) Composites/Marl facility (2 ) — (2 ) — $ (7 ) $ 31 $ (9 ) $ 54
Composites/Marl facility [Member]
Components of Amounts in the Statements of Consolidated Income (Loss) Related To Discontinued Operations	The following table presents a reconciliation of the captions within Ashland's Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Composites and the Marl facility for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Interest expense was allocated to discontinued operations based on Ashland’s mandatory debt prepayments upon the disposition of Composites and the Marl facility for applicable periods only. Although the Maleic business was not sold to INEOS, this business was operated under the Composites business and Marl facility disposal group and will continue to be reported in discontinued operations as it meets the held for sale criteria. Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Composites/Marl facility Sales $ 17 $ 284 $ 28 $ 559 Cost of sales (10 ) (217 ) (19 ) (434 ) Selling, general and administrative expense (2 ) (19 ) (4 ) (41 ) Research and development expense — (3 ) — (6 ) Equity and other income — — 2 3 Pretax operating income of discontinued operations 5 45 7 81 Net interest and other financing expense — (6 ) (12 ) Pretax income of discontinued operations 5 39 7 69 Income tax expense (1 ) (11 ) (3 ) (16 ) Income from discontinued operations $ 4 $ 28 $ 4 $ 53

Restructuring Activities (Table

Restructuring Activities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of Amount of Restructuring Reserves Related to Program	The following table details at March 31, 2020 and 2019, the amount of restructuring reserves related to the programs discussed above, and the related activity in these reserves during the six months ended March 31, 2020. The severance and facility cost reserves were primarily recorded within accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019. (In millions) Severance costs Facility costs Total Balance at of September 30, 2019 7 7 14 Restructuring reserve — — — Utilization (cash paid) (6 ) (1 ) (7 ) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 1 $ 6 7 (In millions) Severance costs Facility costs Total Balance at of September 30, 2018 36 7 43 Restructuring reserve 4 8 12 Utilization (cash paid) (18 ) (5 ) (23 ) Balance at March 31, 2019 $ 22 $ 10 32 The following table details at March 31, 2020, the amount of restructuring severance reserves related to this program. The severance reserves were primarily recorded within accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2020. (In millions) Severance costs Balance at of September 30, 2019 — Restructuring reserve 17 Utilization (cash paid) (1 ) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 16

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of Financial Instruments Subject to Recurring Fair Value Measurements	The following table summarizes financial instruments subject to recurring fair value measurements as of March 31, 2020. Carrying Total fair Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs (In millions) value value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 353 $ 353 $ 353 $ — $ — Restricted investments (a) 301 301 301 — — Investment of captive insurance company (b) 7 7 7 — — Foreign currency derivatives 6 6 — 6 — Total assets at fair value $ 667 $ 667 $ 661 $ 6 $ — Liabilities Foreign currency derivatives $ 5 $ 5 $ — $ 5 $ — (a) Included in restricted investments is $24 million classified in the other current assets caption on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. (b) Included in other noncurrent assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table summarizes financial asset instruments subject to recurring fair value measurements as of September 30, 2019. Carrying Total fair Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant other observable inputs Significant unobservable inputs (In millions) value value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 232 $ 232 $ 232 $ — $ — Restricted investments (a) 334 334 334 — — Investment of captive insurance company (b) 5 5 5 — — Foreign currency derivatives 2 2 — 2 — Total assets at fair value $ 573 $ 573 $ 571 $ 2 $ — Liabilities Foreign currency derivatives $ 2 $ 2 $ — $ 2 $ — (a) Included in restricted investments is $24 million classified in the other current assets caption on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. (b) Included in other noncurrent assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Summary of Investment Portfolio	The following table provides a summary of the activity within the investment portfolio as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019: (In millions) March 31 2020 September 30 2019 Original cost $ 335 $ 335 Accumulated adjustments, net (a) (30 ) (47 ) Adjusted cost, beginning of year 305 288 Investment income (b) 7 10 Net unrealized gain (c) 6 29 Realized gains (c) — 32 Settlement funds 2 7 Disbursements (19 ) (32 ) Fair value $ 301 $ 334 (a) The accumulated adjustments include investment income, realized gains, disbursements and settlements recorded in previous periods. (b) Investment income for the demand deposit includes interest income as well as dividend income transferred from the equity and corporate bond mutual funds. (c) Presented under the original cost method. The following table presents gross unrealized gains and losses for the restricted investment securities as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019: Gross Gross (In millions) Adjusted Cost Unrealized Gain Unrealized Loss Fair Value As of March 31, 2020 Demand deposit $ 7 $ — $ — $ 7 Equity mutual fund 116 11 (12 ) 115 Fixed income mutual fund 173 6 — 179 $ 296 $ 17 $ (12 ) $ 301 As of September 30, 2019 Demand deposit $ 9 $ — $ — $ 9 Equity mutual fund 120 24 (2 ) 142 Fixed income mutual fund 176 7 — 183 $ 305 $ 31 $ (2 ) $ 334
Summary of Investment Income, Net Gains and Losses Realized and Disbursements Related to Investments	The following table presents the investment income, net gains and losses realized and disbursements related to the investments within the portfolio for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Investment income $ 3 $ 2 $ 7 $ 5 Net gains (losses) unrealized (a) (32 ) 27 (23 ) (3 ) Disbursements (9 ) (12 ) (19 ) (20 ) (a) Ashland determined that all unrealized gains and losses were related to equity securities with readily determinable fair values. Due to the new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the net unrealized gains (losses) during the three months ended December 31, 2018 and forward were recorded within the net interest and other expense caption in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss).
Summary of Net Gains and Losses on Foreign Currency Derivatives	The following table summarizes the net gains and losses recognized during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 within the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss). Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Foreign currency derivative gains (losses) $ 3 $ 3 $ 4 $ 4
Summary of Fair Values of Outstanding Foreign Currency Derivatives	The following table summarizes the fair values of the outstanding foreign currency derivatives as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019 included in accounts receivable and accrued expenses and other liabilities of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. March 31 September 30 (In millions) 2020 2019 Foreign currency derivative assets $ 6 $ 2 Notional contract values 169 271 Foreign currency derivative liabilities $ 5 $ 2 Notional contract values 300 168

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Inventories	The following table summarizes Ashland’s inventories as of the reported Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet dates. (In millions) March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 Finished products $ 420 $ 400 Raw materials, supplies and work in process 191 197 $ 611 $ 597

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Goodwill by Reportable Segment	The following is a progression of goodwill by reportable segment for the six months ended March 31, 2020. (In millions) Life Sciences Personal Care & Household Specialty Additives Performance Adhesives Intermediates and Solvents (a) Total Balance at September 30, 2019 $ 836 $ 355 $ 609 $ 453 $ — $ 2,253 Impairment — (356 ) (174 ) — — (530 ) Currency translation (1 ) 1 — — — — Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 835 $ — $ 435 $ 453 $ — $ 1,723 (a) As of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, there was accumulated impairment of $90 million related to the Intermediates and Solvents reportable segment.
Summary of Intangible Assets	Intangible assets were comprised of the following as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019. March 31, 2020 Gross Net carrying Accumulated carrying (In millions) amount amortization amount Definite-lived intangibles Trademarks and trade names $ 66 $ (30 ) $ 36 Intellectual property 710 (413 ) 297 Customer and supplier relationships 742 (309 ) 433 Total definite-lived intangibles 1,518 (752 ) 766 Indefinite-lived intangibles Trademarks and trade names 278 — 278 Total intangible assets $ 1,796 $ (752 ) $ 1,044 September 30, 2019 Gross Net carrying Accumulated carrying (In millions) amount amortization amount Definite-lived intangibles Trademarks and trade names $ 66 $ (29 ) $ 37 Intellectual property 712 (391 ) 321 Customer and supplier relationships 744 (292 ) 452 Total definite-lived intangibles 1,522 (712 ) 810 Indefinite-lived intangibles Trademarks and trade names 278 — 278 Total intangible assets $ 1,800 $ (712 ) $ 1,088

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Current and Long-term Debt	The following table summarizes Ashland’s current and long-term debt as of the dates reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. (In millions) March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 4.750% notes, due 2022 $ 410 $ 1,080 2.00% Senior Notes, due 2028 (Euro 500 million principal) 551 — 6.875% notes, due 2043 282 374 Term loan A, due 2025 250 — Accounts receivable securitizations 209 144 6.50% junior subordinated notes, due 2029 54 54 Revolving credit facility 240 — Other (a) 10 15 Total debt 2,006 1,667 Short-term debt (includes current portion of long-term debt) (471 ) (166 ) Long-term debt (less current portion) $ 1,535 $ 1,501 (a) Includes $15 million and $12 million of debt issuance cost discounts as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively. Additionally, as of both March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, Other included a European short-term loan facility with an outstanding balance of $22 million.

Leasing Arrangements (Tables)

Leasing Arrangements (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Components of Lease Cost Recognized	The components of lease cost recognized within our Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) were as follows: (In millions) Location Three months ended March 31, 2020 Six months ended March 31, 2020 Lease cost: Operating lease cost Selling, General & Administrative $ 3 $ 8 Operating lease cost Cost of Sales 3 6 Variable lease cost Selling, General & Administrative 2 2 Variable lease cost Cost of Sales 2 4 Short-term leases Cost of Sales 2 3 Total lease cost $ 12 $ 23
Summary of Lease Assets and Liabilities	The following table summarizes Ashland’s lease assets and liabilities as presented in the March 31, 2020 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet: (In millions) March 31, 2020 Assets Operating lease assets, net $ 144 Total lease assets 144 Liabilities Current operating lease obligations $ 23 Non-current operating lease obligations 131 Total lease liabilities $ 154
Schedule of Cash Paid for Amounts Included in the Measurement of Operating Lease Liabilities	(In millions) Three months ended March 31, 2020 Six months ended March 31, 2020 Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 5 $ 14
Schedule of Maturities Analysis of Lease Liabilities	Maturities of lease liabilities are shown below as of March 31, 2020: (In millions) As of March 31, 2020 Remainder of 2020 $ 13 2021 26 2022 34 2023 16 2024 13 Thereafter $ 100 Total lease payments 202 Less amount of lease payment representing interest (48 ) Total present value of lease payments $ 154
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments	As of September 30, 2019, under the previous guidance, the future minimum rental payments are as follows: (In millions) As of September 30, 2019 2020 $ 29 2021 27 2022 34 2023 15 2024 13 Thereafter 110 Total lease payments $ 228

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Changes in Unrecognized Tax Benefits	Changes in unrecognized tax benefits are summarized as follows for the six months ended March 31, 2020. (In millions) Balance at October 1, 2019 $ 165 Increases related to positions taken on items from prior years 2 Decreases related to positions taken on items from prior years (1 ) Increases related to positions taken in the current year 3 Lapse of statute of limitations (2 ) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 167

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)

Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs for Continuing Operation	The following table details the components of pension and other postretirement benefit costs for continuing operations. Pension benefits Other postretirement benefits (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Three months ended March 31 Service cost $ 1 $ 1 $ — $ — Interest cost 2 2 — 1 Expected return on plan assets (2 ) (2 ) — — Curtailment — — — — Total net periodic benefit costs $ 1 $ 1 $ — $ 1 Six months ended March 31 Service cost $ 2 $ 3 $ — $ — Interest cost 3 5 1 1 Expected return on plan assets (4 ) (5 ) — — Curtailment — (18 ) — — Total net periodic benefit costs (income) $ 1 $ (15 ) $ 1 $ 1

Litigation, Claims and Contin_2

Litigation, Claims and Contingencies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Reconciliation of Changes in Environmental Contingencies and Asset Retirement Obligations Reserve	The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the environmental remediation reserves during the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Six months ended March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 Reserve - beginning of period $ 186 $ 187 Disbursements (19 ) (15 ) Revised obligation estimates and accretion 11 7 Reserve - end of period $ 178 $ 179
Components of Environmental Remediation Expense	Components of environmental remediation expense included within the selling, general and administrative expense caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) are presented in the following table for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Environmental expense $ 8 $ 3 $ 10 $ 6 Accretion 1 1 1 1 Legal expense 1 2 3 3 Total expense 10 6 14 10 Insurance receivable (3 ) — (3 ) (1 ) Total expense, net of receivable activity (a) $ 7 $ 6 $ 11 $ 9 (a) Net expense of $2 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, and $1 million and $2 million the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, respectively, relates to divested businesses which qualified for treatment as discontinued operations for which certain environmental liabilities were retained by Ashland. These amounts are classified within the income from discontinued operations caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (loss).
Ashland [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Summary of Asbestos Claims Activity	A summary of Ashland asbestos claims activity, excluding Hercules claims, follows. Six months ended March 31 Years ended September 30 (In thousands) 2020 2019 2019 2018 2017 Open claims - beginning of year 53 53 53 54 57 New claims filed 1 1 2 2 2 Claims settled — — (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) Claims dismissed (4 ) (1 ) (1 ) (2 ) (4 ) Open claims - end of period 50 53 53 53 54
Progression of Activity in Asbestos Reserve Accounts	A progression of activity in the asbestos reserve is presented in the following table. Six months ended March 31 Years ended September 30 (In millions) 2020 2019 2019 2018 2017 Asbestos reserve - beginning of year $ 352 $ 380 $ 380 $ 419 $ 415 Reserve adjustment — — 1 (8 ) 36 Amounts paid (15 ) (14 ) (29 ) (31 ) (32 ) Asbestos reserve - end of period (a) $ 337 $ 366 $ 352 $ 380 $ 419 (a) Included
Progression of Insurance Receivable	A progression of activity in the Ashland insurance receivable is presented in the following table. Six months ended March 31 Years ended September 30 (In millions) 2020 2019 2019 2018 2017 Insurance receivable - beginning of year $ 123 $ 140 $ 140 $ 155 $ 151 Receivable adjustment — — (5 ) (5 ) 15 Insurance settlement (10 ) — — — (5 ) Amounts collected (4 ) (4 ) (12 ) (10 ) (6 ) Insurance receivable - end of period (a) $ 109 $ 136 $ 123 $ 140 $ 155
Hercules [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Summary of Asbestos Claims Activity	A summary of Hercules’ asbestos claims activity follows. Six months ended March 31 Years ended September 30 (In thousands) 2020 2019 2019 2018 2017 Open claims - beginning of year 13 13 13 12 15 New claims filed — — 1 2 1 Claims dismissed — (1 ) (1 ) (1 ) (4 ) Open claims - end of period 13 12 13 13 12
Progression of Activity in Asbestos Reserve Accounts	A progression of activity in the asbestos reserve is presented in the following table. Six months ended March 31 Years ended September 30 (In millions) 2020 2019 2019 2018 2017 Asbestos reserve - beginning of year $ 252 $ 282 $ 282 $ 323 $ 321 Reserve adjustments — — (10 ) (19 ) 16 Amounts paid (10 ) (10 ) (20 ) (22 ) (14 ) Asbestos reserve - end of period (a) $ 242 $ 272 $ 252 $ 282 $ 323 (a) Included
Progression of Insurance Receivable	A progression of activity in the Hercules insurance receivable is presented in the following table. Six months ended March 31 Years ended September 30 (In millions) 2020 2019 2019 2018 2017 Insurance receivable - beginning of year $ 49 $ 54 $ 54 $ 68 $ 63 Receivable adjustment — — (5 ) (14 ) 5 Insurance receivable - end of period $ 49 $ 54 $ 49 $ 54 $ 68

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share	The following is the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations attributable to Ashland. Stock appreciation rights (SARs), stock options and warrants available to purchase shares outstanding for each reporting period whose grant price was greater than the average market price of Ashland Common Stock for each applicable period were not included in the computation of income from continuing operations per diluted share because the effect of these instruments would be antidilutive. The total number of these shares outstanding was approximately 2 million and 1 million at March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Earnings per share is reported under the treasury stock method. Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions, except per share data) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Numerator Numerator for basic and diluted EPS - Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (575 ) $ 45 $ (541 ) $ (26 ) Denominator Denominator for basic EPS - Weighted- average common shares outstanding 61 63 61 63 Share based awards convertible to common shares (a) — 1 — — Denominator for diluted EPS - Adjusted weighted- average shares and assumed conversions 61 64 61 63 EPS from continuing operations Basic $ (9.48 ) $ 0.72 $ (8.93 ) $ (0.41 ) Diluted (9.48 ) 0.71 (8.93 ) (0.41 ) (a) As a result of the loss from continuing operations attributable to Ashland during the three and six months ended March 31,2020, respectively and the six months ended March 31, 2019, the effect of the share-based awards convertible to common shares would be antidilutive and have been excluded from the diluted EPS calculation.

Equity Items (Tables)

Equity Items (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Components of other comprehensive income (loss) recorded in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) are presented below, before tax and net of tax effects. 2020 2019 (In millions) Before tax Tax (expense) benefit Net of tax Before tax Tax (expense) benefit Net of tax Three months ended March 31 Other comprehensive income (loss) Unrealized translation gain (loss) $ (52 ) $ — $ (52 ) $ (9 ) $ — $ (9 ) Pension and postretirement obligation adjustment: Adjustment of unrecognized prior service costs — — — — — — Total other comprehensive income (loss) $ (52 ) $ — $ (52 ) $ (9 ) $ — $ (9 ) Six months ended March 31 Other comprehensive income (loss) Unrealized translation gain (loss) $ (14 ) $ — $ (14 ) $ (40 ) $ — $ (40 ) Pension and postretirement obligation adjustment: Adjustment of unrecognized prior service costs — — — (7 ) 1 (6 ) Total other comprehensive income (loss) (14 ) — (14 ) (47 ) 1 (46 )
Summary of Reconciliation of Changes in Stockholders' Equity	Summary of stockholders’ equity A reconciliation of changes in stockholders’ equity are as follows: Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Common stock and paid in capital Balance, beginning of period $ 758 $ 948 $ 757 $ 947 Common shares issued under stock incentive and other plans (a) 8 5 9 6 Balance, end of period 766 953 766 953 Retained earnings Balance, beginning of period 3,239 2,719 3,224 2,750 Adoption of new accounting pronouncements (b) — 1 — 34 Net income (loss) (582 ) 76 (550 ) 28 Regular dividends (16 ) (16 ) (33 ) (32 ) Balance, end of period 2,641 2,780 2,641 2,780 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Balance, beginning of period (372 ) (362 ) (410 ) (291 ) Adoption of new accounting pronouncements (b) — — — (34 ) Unrealized translation gain (loss) (52 ) (9 ) (14 ) (40 ) Pension and postretirement obligation adjustment — — — (6 ) Net change in investment securities — — — — Balance, end of period (424 ) (371 ) (424 ) (371 ) Total stockholders' equity $ 2,983 $ 3,362 $ 2,983 $ 3,362 Cash dividends declared per common share 0.275 0.250 $ 0.550 $ 0.500 (a) Common shares issued were 208,564 shares and 93,738 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and 279,025 shares and 234,352 shares for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. (b) Represents the cumulative-effect adjustment related to the adoption of the new guidance related to the accounting for equity securities and tax effects of intercompany transfers during fiscal 2019.

Stock Incentive Plans (Tables)

Stock Incentive Plans (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Included in Continuing Operations	The components of Ashland’s pre-tax stock-based compensation expense included in continuing operations are as follows: Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 (a) 2019 (b) 2020 (a) 2019 (b) SARs $ 1 $ 2 $ 3 $ 4 Nonvested stock awards 3 6 5 10 Performance share awards — 2 1 2 $ 4 $ 10 $ 9 $ 16 (a) Included zero million and $1 million of expense related to cash-settled nonvested restricted stock awards during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and zero (b) Included $2 million and $3 million of expense related to cash-settled nonvested restricted stock awards during the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 and $2 million of expense related to cash-settled performance units during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenue	Ashland disaggregates its revenue by segment and geographical region as Ashland believes these categories best depict how management reviews the financial performance of its operations. See the following tables for details (intersegment sales eliminations have been excluded). See Note Q for additional information.: Sales by geography Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Life Sciences North America $ 59 $ 67 $ 108 $ 126 Europe 63 61 112 110 Asia Pacific 43 48 85 95 Latin America & other 19 20 35 35 $ 184 $ 196 $ 340 $ 366 Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Personal Care & Household North America $ 50 $ 48 $ 91 $ 91 Europe 69 86 124 149 Asia Pacific 22 27 46 55 Latin America & other 18 22 35 42 $ 159 $ 183 $ 296 $ 337 Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Specialty Additives North America $ 53 $ 57 $ 98 $ 105 Europe 59 62 109 112 Asia Pacific 33 39 68 78 Latin America & other 10 11 19 21 $ 155 $ 169 $ 294 $ 316 Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Performance Adhesives North America $ 73 $ 75 $ 137 $ 144 Europe 9 11 16 19 Asia Pacific 1 1 3 3 Latin America & other 2 2 3 5 $ 85 $ 89 $ 159 $ 171 Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions) 2020 2019 2020 2019 Intermediates and Solvents North America $ 23 $ 29 $ 37 $ 50 Europe 6 6 11 11 Asia Pacific 6 7 13 13 Latin America & other 2 2 3 3 $ 37 $ 44 $ 64 $ 77

Reportable Segment Information

Reportable Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of Financial Information for Each Reportable Segment	The following table presents various financial information for each reportable segment for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Three months ended Six months ended March 31 March 31 (In millions - unaudited) 2020 2019 2020 2019 SALES Life Sciences $ 184 $ 196 $ 340 $ 366 Personal Care & Household 159 183 296 337 Consumer Specialties 343 379 636 703 Specialty Additives 155 169 294 316 Performance Adhesives 85 89 159 171 Industrial Specialties 240 258 453 487 Intermediates and Solvents 37 44 64 77 Intersegment sales (a) Intermediates and Solvents (10 ) (14 ) (10 ) (24 ) $ 610 $ 667 $ 1,143 $ 1,243 OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) Life Sciences $ 36 $ 33 $ 58 $ 56 Personal Care & Household (336 ) 25 (326 ) 42 Consumer Specialties (300 ) 58 (268 ) 98 Specialty Additives (161 ) (2 ) (152 ) (24 ) Performance Adhesives 16 17 27 26 Industrial Specialties (145 ) 15 (125 ) 2 Intermediates and Solvents (2 ) 9 (14 ) 11 Unallocated and other (21 ) (38 ) (44 ) (74 ) $ (468 ) $ 44 $ (451 ) $ 37 DEPRECIATION EXPENSE Life Sciences $ 8 $ 8 $ 16 $ 16 Personal Care & Household 10 10 20 21 Consumer Specialties 18 18 36 37 Specialty Additives 16 36 32 69 Performance Adhesives 3 3 6 6 Industrial Specialties 19 39 38 75 Intermediates and Solvents 3 2 6 5 Unallocated and other — 2 — 3 $ 40 $ 61 $ 80 $ 120 AMORTIZATION EXPENSE Life Sciences $ 7 $ 7 $ 14 $ 14 Personal Care & Household 9 9 18 18 Consumer Specialties 16 16 32 32 Specialty Additives 4 3 8 9 Performance Adhesives 1 1 1 1 Industrial Specialties 5 4 9 10 Intermediates and Solvents — 1 1 1 $ 21 $ 21 $ 42 $ 43 EBITDA (b) (c) Life Sciences $ 51 $ 48 $ 88 $ 86 Personal Care & Household (317 ) 44 (288 ) 81 Consumer Specialties (266 ) 92 (200 ) 167 Specialty Additives (141 ) 37 (112 ) 54 Performance Adhesives 20 21 34 33 Industrial Specialties (121 ) 58 (78 ) 87 Intermediates and Solvents 1 12 (7 ) 17 Unallocated and other (21 ) (36 ) (44 ) (71 ) $ (407 ) $ 126 $ (329 ) $ 200 March 31, 2020 September 30, 2019 TOTAL ASSETS Life Sciences $ 1,973 $ 1,946 Personal Care & Household 1,019 1,366 Consumer Specialties 2,992 3,312 Specialty Additives 1,627 1,775 Performance Adhesives 613 618 Industrial Specialties 2,240 2,393 Intermediates and Solvents 176 185 Unallocated and other 1,560 1,361 $ 6,968 $ 7,251 (a) Intersegment sales from Intermediates and Solvents are accounted for at prices that approximate fair value. All other intersegment sales are accounted for at cost. (b) Excludes income (loss) from discontinued operations, other net periodic benefit income (expense) and net income (loss) on divestitures. See the Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for applicable amounts excluded. (c) Includes $20 million of accelerated depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and $39 million for the six months ended March 31, 2019.

Significant Accounting Polici_3

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	Oct. 01, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)ReportableSegment	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | ReportableSegment		5
Operating lease liabilities	$ 174	$ 154	$ 154
Operating lease right of use asset	174	$ 144	$ 144
Lessee, Operating Lease, Existence of Option to Extend			true
Lessee, Operating Lease, Existence of Option to Terminate			true
Operating lease description			Lease terms reflect options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the option will be exercised.
Accounting Standards Update 2018-02 [Member] | Retained earnings [Member]
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
New accounting pronouncement or change in accounting principle effect of adoption quantification amount	$ 3

Divestitures - Additional Infor

Divestitures - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Aug. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Stranded divestitures costs		$ 0	$ 12	$ 0	$ 23
Composites Segment and the Intermediates and Solvents Facility [Member] | INEOS Enterprises [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Net proceeds from sale of business	$ 1,015
Transition service fee income recognized		$ 3		$ 6

Divestitures - Summary of Asset

Divestitures - Summary of Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Divestitures [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, net	$ 9	$ 5
Inventories	2	3
Net property, plant and equipment	34	34
Goodwill	14	14
Other assets	5	3
Current assets held for sale	64	59
Trade and other payables	4	6
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1	1
Current liabilities held for sale	$ 5	$ 7

Discontinued Operations - Compo

Discontinued Operations - Components of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) Related to Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax)	$ (7)	$ 31	$ (9)	$ 54
Composites/Marl facility [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax)	4	28	4	53
Gain (loss) on disposal of discontinued operations (net of taxes)	(2)		(2)
Valvoline [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax)		1	(1)	1
Asbestos [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax)	(7)		(7)
Water Technologies [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax)		$ 2	(1)	1
Distribution [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of tax)	$ (2)		$ (2)	$ (1)

Discontinued Operations - Recon

Discontinued Operations - Reconciliation of Consolidated Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Composites/Marl facility
Income from discontinued operations	$ (7)	$ 31	$ (9)	$ 54
Composites/Marl facility [Member]
Income (loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Composites/Marl facility
Sales	17	284	28	559
Cost of sales	(10)	(217)	(19)	(434)
Selling, general and administrative expense	(2)	(19)	(4)	(41)
Research and development expense		(3)		(6)
Equity and other income			2	3
Pretax operating income of discontinued operations	5	45	7	81
Net interest and other financing expense		(6)		(12)
Pretax income of discontinued operations	5	39	7	69
Income tax expense	(1)	(11)	(3)	(16)
Income from discontinued operations	$ 4	$ 28	$ 4	$ 53

Restructuring Activities - Addi

Restructuring Activities - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve	$ 7,000,000	$ 32,000,000	$ 7,000,000	$ 32,000,000	$ 14,000,000	$ 43,000,000
Severance Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve	1,000,000	22,000,000	1,000,000	22,000,000	7,000,000	36,000,000
Facility Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve	6,000,000	10,000,000	6,000,000	10,000,000	7,000,000	$ 7,000,000
Restructuring costs	0	1,000,000	0	8,000,000
Fiscal 2020 Restructuring Severance Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Severance costs	14,000,000		17,000,000
Restructuring reserve	16,000,000		16,000,000		$ 0
Voluntary Severance Offer [Member] | Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Severance costs	0	0	0	4,000,000
Fiscal 2019 Plant Restructuring [Member] | Specialty Additives [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve	$ 0		$ 0
Fiscal 2019 Plant Restructuring [Member] | Severance Costs [Member] | Specialty Additives [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs				5,000,000
Fiscal 2019 Plant Restructuring [Member] | Accelerated Depreciation and Amortization [Member] | Specialty Additives [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs				38,000,000
Fiscal 2019 Plant Restructuring [Member] | Plant Closure Costs [Member] | Specialty Additives [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs				4,000,000
Fiscal 2019 Plant Restructuring [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member] | Specialty Additives [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs		$ 20,000,000		$ 47,000,000

Restructuring Activities - Summ

Restructuring Activities - Summary of Severance Reserves and Facility Cost Reserves (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	$ 14	$ 43
Restructuring reserve	0	12
Utilization (cash paid)	(7)	(23)
Ending balance	7	32
Severance Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	7	36
Restructuring reserve	0	4
Utilization (cash paid)	(6)	(18)
Ending balance	1	22
Facility Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	7	7
Restructuring reserve	0	8
Utilization (cash paid)	(1)	(5)
Ending balance	6	$ 10
Fiscal 2020 Restructuring Severance Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Beginning balance	0
Restructuring reserve	17
Utilization (cash paid)	(1)
Ending balance	$ 16

Fair Value Measurements - Summa

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Financial Instruments Subject to Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		$ 353	$ 232
Restricted investments	[1]	301	334
Investment of captive insurance company	[2]	7	5
Foreign currency derivatives		6	2
Total assets at fair value		667	573
Liabilities
Foreign currency derivatives		5	2
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		353	232
Restricted investments	[1]	301	334
Investment of captive insurance company	[2]	7	5
Foreign currency derivatives		6	2
Total assets at fair value		667	573
Liabilities
Foreign currency derivatives		5	2
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		353	232
Restricted investments	[1]	301	334
Investment of captive insurance company	[2]	7	5
Foreign currency derivatives		0	0
Total assets at fair value		661	571
Liabilities
Foreign currency derivatives		0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		0	0
Restricted investments	[1]	0	0
Investment of captive insurance company	[2]	0	0
Foreign currency derivatives		6	2
Total assets at fair value		6	2
Liabilities
Foreign currency derivatives		5	2
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents		0	0
Restricted investments	[1]	0	0
Investment of captive insurance company	[2]	0	0
Foreign currency derivatives		0	0
Total assets at fair value		0	0
Liabilities
Foreign currency derivatives		$ 0	$ 0
[1]	Included in restricted investments is $24 million classified in the other current assets caption on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
[2]	Included in other noncurrent assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Fair Value Measurements - Sum_2

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Financial Instruments Subject to Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Restricted Investments, Current	$ 24	$ 24

Fair Value Measurements - Sum_3

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Investment Portfolio (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020		Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Original cost		$ 335		$ 335			$ 335
Accumulated adjustments, net	[1]	(30)		(30)			(47)
Adjusted cost		305		305			288
Investment income		3	$ 2	7	[2]	$ 5	10	[2]
Net unrealized gain	[3]			6			29
Realized gains	[3]			0			32
Settlement funds				2			7
Disbursements		(9)	$ (12)	(19)		$ (20)	(32)
Fair value		301		301			334
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Adjusted cost		296		296			305
Fair value		301		301			334
Gross Unrealized Gain		17		17			31
Gross Unrealized Loss		(12)		(12)			(2)
Fixed Income Mutual Fund [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Adjusted cost		173		173			176
Fair value		179		179			183
Gross Unrealized Gain		6		6			7
Gross Unrealized Loss		0		0			0
Equity Mutual Fund [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Adjusted cost		116		116			120
Fair value		115		115			142
Gross Unrealized Gain		11		11			24
Gross Unrealized Loss		(12)		(12)			(2)
Demand Deposit [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Adjusted cost		7		7			9
Fair value		$ 7		$ 7			$ 9
[1]	The accumulated adjustments include investment income, realized gains, disbursements and settlements recorded in previous periods.
[2]	Investment income for the demand deposit includes interest income as well as dividend income transferred from the equity and corporate bond mutual funds.
[3]	Presented under the original cost method.

Fair Value Measurements - Sum_4

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Investment Income, Net Gains and Losses Realized and Disbursements Related to Investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020		Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Investment income		$ 3	$ 2	$ 7	[1]	$ 5	$ 10	[1]
Net gains (losses) unrealized	[2]	(32)	27	(23)		(3)
Disbursements		$ (9)	$ (12)	$ (19)		$ (20)	$ (32)
[1]	Investment income for the demand deposit includes interest income as well as dividend income transferred from the equity and corporate bond mutual funds.
[2]	Ashland determined that all unrealized gains and losses were related to equity securities with readily determinable fair values. Due to the new accounting guidance adopted in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the net unrealized gains (losses) during the three months ended December 31, 2018 and forward were recorded within the net interest and other expense caption in the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss).

Fair Value Measurements - Sum_5

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Net Gains and Losses on Foreign Currency Derivatives (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign currency derivative gains (losses)	$ 3	$ 3	$ 4	$ 4

Fair Value Measurements - Sum_6

Fair Value Measurements - Summary of Fair Values of Outstanding Foreign Currency Derivatives (Details) - Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign currency derivative assets	$ 6	$ 2
Notional contract values	169	271
Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notional contract values	300	168
Foreign currency derivative liabilities	$ 5	$ 2

Fair Value Measurements - Addit

Fair Value Measurements - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Other financial instruments [Abstract]
Long-term debt, carrying value	$ 1,550	$ 1,513
Long-term debt, fair value	$ 1,567	$ 1,680

Inventories - Summary of Invent

Inventories - Summary of Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished products	$ 420	$ 400
Raw materials, supplies and work in process	191	197
Total	$ 611	$ 597

Goodwill and Other Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)ReportableSegment	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)
Schedule Of Goodwill And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | ReportableSegment	5
Impairment	$ 530,000,000	$ 0	$ 530,000,000	$ 0
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Amortization expense recognized on intangible assets	21,000,000	$ 21,000,000	42,000,000	$ 43,000,000
Expected future amortization expense [Abstract]
2020 (includes six months actual and six months estimated)	85,000,000		85,000,000
2021	85,000,000		85,000,000
2022	84,000,000		84,000,000
2023	84,000,000		84,000,000
2024	70,000,000		70,000,000
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Impairment			$ 0
Minimum [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Useful life (in years)			3 years
Minimum [Member] | Intellectual Property [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Useful life (in years)			5 years
Minimum [Member] | Customer and Supplier Relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Useful life (in years)			3 years
Maximum [Member] | Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Useful life (in years)			25 years
Maximum [Member] | Intellectual Property [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Useful life (in years)			25 years
Maximum [Member] | Customer and Supplier Relationships [Member]
Intangible Assets, Net [Abstract]
Useful life (in years)			24 years
Former Reporting Unit [Member]
Schedule Of Goodwill And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment	0
New Reporting Unit [Member]
Schedule Of Goodwill And Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment	$ 530,000,000		$ 530,000,000

Goodwill and Other Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Summary of Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period				$ 2,253
Impairment		$ (530)	$ 0	(530)	$ 0
Currency translation				0
Balance at end of period		1,723		1,723
Life Sciences [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period				836
Impairment				0
Currency translation				(1)
Balance at end of period		835		835
Personal Care & Household [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period				355
Impairment				(356)
Currency translation				1
Balance at end of period		0		0
Specialty Additives [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period				609
Impairment				(174)
Currency translation				0
Balance at end of period		435		435
Performance Adhesives [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period				453
Impairment				0
Currency translation				0
Balance at end of period		453		453
Intermediates and Solvents [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	[1]			0
Impairment	[1]			0
Currency translation	[1]			0
Balance at end of period	[1]	$ 0		$ 0
[1]	As of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, there was accumulated impairment of $90 million related to the Intermediates and Solvents reportable segment.

Goodwill and Other Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Summary of Goodwill by Reportable Segment (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Intermediates and Solvents [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Accumulated impairment	$ 90	$ 90

Goodwill and Other Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Summary of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 1,518	$ 1,522
Accumulated amortization	(752)	(712)
Net carrying amount	766	810
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Gross carrying amount	1,796	1,800
Net carrying amount	1,044	1,088
Trademarks and Trade Names [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	66	66
Accumulated amortization	(30)	(29)
Net carrying amount	36	37
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	278	278
Intellectual Property [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	710	712
Accumulated amortization	(413)	(391)
Net carrying amount	297	321
Customer and Supplier Relationships [Member]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	742	744
Accumulated amortization	(309)	(292)
Net carrying amount	$ 433	$ 452

Debt - Summary of Current and L

Debt - Summary of Current and Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt		$ 1,550	$ 1,513
Other	[1]	10	15
Total debt		2,006	1,667
Short-term debt (includes current portion of long-term debt)		(471)	(166)
Long-term debt (less current portion)		1,535	1,501
4.750% Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt		410	1,080
2.00% Senior Notes Due 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt		551
6.875% Notes due 2043 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt		282	374
Term Loan A due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt		250
Accounts Receivable Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt		209	144
6.50% Junior Subordinated Notes, Due 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt		54	$ 54
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Carrying value of debt		$ 240
[1]	Includes $15 million and $12 million of debt issuance cost discounts as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively. Additionally, as of both March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, Other included a European short-term loan facility with an outstanding balance of $22 million.

Debt - Summary of Current and_2

Debt - Summary of Current and Long-term Debt (Parenthetical) (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020EUR (€)	Jan. 31, 2020EUR (€)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt issuance expense, long-term debt	$ 15			$ 12
Short-term debt outstanding balance	$ 471			166
4.750% Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.75%	4.75%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2022
2.00% Senior Notes Due 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2028
Principal amount | €		€ 500,000,000	€ 500,000,000
6.875% Notes due 2043 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	6.875%	6.875%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2043
Term Loan A due 2025 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, maturity year	2025
6.50% Junior Subordinated Notes, Due 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	6.50%	6.50%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2029
European Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Short-term debt outstanding balance	$ 22			$ 22

Debt - Summary of Current and_3

Debt - Summary of Current and Long-term Debt - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Scheduled aggregate debt maturities by fiscal year [Abstract]
2020	$ 0
2021	0
2022	421
2023	22
2024	$ 44

Debt - Financing Activity and C

Debt - Financing Activity and Covenants - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020EUR (€)	Jan. 31, 2020EUR (€)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payments of debt issuance costs			$ 11
Premiums paid		$ 59	59
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity		$ 339	$ 339
Covenant restrictions [Abstract]
Maximum consolidated leverage ratio		4	4	4
Consolidated net leverage ratio		3.1	3.1	3.1
Minimum required consolidated interest coverage ratio		3	3	3
Consolidated interest coverage ratio		7.7	7.7	7.7
2020 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payments of debt issuance costs			$ 4
Debt issuance costs immediately recognized		$ 1	1
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		600	600
2017 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayment of debt, accelerated amortization		$ 1	1
2.00% Senior Notes Due 2028 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Payments of debt issuance costs			$ 8
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Aggregate principal amount | €				€ 500,000,000	€ 500,000,000
Debt instrument, maturity year			2028
4.750% Notes due 2022 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		4.75%	4.75%	4.75%
Debt instrument, maturity year			2022
Repayments of debt			$ 670
Gain (loss) on repurchase of debt instrument		$ (5)	$ (5)
6.875% Notes due 2043 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		6.875%	6.875%	6.875%
Debt instrument, maturity year			2043
Repayments of debt			$ 92
Gain (loss) on repurchase of debt instrument		$ (1)	$ (1)
6.50% Junior Subordinated Notes, Due 2029 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage		6.50%	6.50%	6.50%
Debt instrument, maturity year			2029
Repayments of debt		$ 2	$ 2
Accounts Receivable Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity		1	1
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility | 2020 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured line of credit	$ 600
Debt instrument, term	5 years
Unsecured Term Loan Facility [Member] | 2020 Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unsecured line of credit	$ 250
Debt instrument, term	5 years
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing capacity		338	338
Debt instrument, outstanding principal amount		240	240
Letters of credit outstanding, amount		$ 22	$ 22

Leasing Arrangements - Addition

Leasing Arrangements - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining operating lease term	15 years	15 years
Weighted average operating discount rate, percent	3.20%	3.20%
Right-of-use assets exchanged for new operating lease obligations	$ 1	$ 2
Real Estate [Member]
Lessee Lease Description [Line Items]
Operating lease liability percentage		87.00%

Leasing Arrangements - Componen

Leasing Arrangements - Components of Lease Cost Recognized (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020
Lease cost:
Total lease cost	$ 12	$ 23
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Lease cost:
Operating lease cost	3	8
Variable lease cost	2	2
Cost of Sales [Member]
Lease cost:
Operating lease cost	3	6
Variable lease cost	2	4
Short-term leases	$ 2	$ 3

Leasing Arrangements - Summary

Leasing Arrangements - Summary of Lease Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Oct. 01, 2019
ASSETS
Operating lease right of use asset	$ 144	$ 174
Total lease assets	144	174
Liabilities
Current operating lease obligations	23
Non-current operating lease obligations	131
Total lease liabilities	$ 154	$ 174

Leasing Arrangements - Schedule

Leasing Arrangements - Schedule of Cash Paid for Amounts Included in the Measurement of Operating Lease Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 5	$ 14

Leasing Arrangements - Schedu_2

Leasing Arrangements - Schedule of Maturities Analysis of Lease Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020	Oct. 01, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Remainder of 2020	$ 13
2021	26
2022	34
2023	16
2024	13
Thereafter	100
Total lease payments	202
Less amount of lease payment representing interest	(48)
Total present value of lease payments	$ 154	$ 174

Leasing Arrangements - Schedu_3

Leasing Arrangements - Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2020	$ 29
2021	27
2022	34
2023	15
2024	13
Thereafter	110
Total lease payments	$ 228

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Goodwill impairment - Note G	$ 530	$ 0	$ 530	$ 0
Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible	1		1
Increase in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible	$ 3		$ 3
Current Fiscal Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)	2.00%		6.00%
Nondeductible goodwill impairment	$ 527
Prior Fiscal Year [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective tax rate (in hundredths)		2.00%		(2500.00%)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Reconciling Items, Amount		$ 11		$ (30)

Income Taxes - Summary of Chang

Income Taxes - Summary of Changes in Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 165
Increases related to positions taken on items from prior years	2
Decreases related to positions taken on items from prior years	(1)
Increases related to positions taken in the current year	3
Lapse of statute of limitations	(2)
Balance at end of period	$ 167

Employee Benefit Plans - Additi

Employee Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2020
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actual contributions to benefit plans in period		$ 3,000,000
Estimated future contributions in current fiscal year		2,000,000
Remeasurement due to curtailment gain	$ 18,000,000
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actual contributions to benefit plans in period		0
Estimated future contributions in current fiscal year		$ 1,000,000

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedu

Employee Benefit Plans - Schedule of Components of Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs for Continuing Operation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Pension Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 1	$ 1	$ 2	$ 3
Interest cost	2	2	3	5
Expected return on plan assets	(2)	(2)	(4)	(5)
Curtailment	0	0	0	(18)
Total net periodic benefit costs (income)	1	1	1	(15)
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan, Defined Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	0	0	0	0
Interest cost	0	1	1	1
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0	0
Curtailment	0	0	0	0
Total net periodic benefit costs (income)	$ 0	$ 1	$ 1	$ 1

Litigation, Claims and Contin_3

Litigation, Claims and Contingencies - Summary of Asbestos Claims Activity (Details) - Claim Claim in Thousands	6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Ashland [Member]
Asbestos claims [Roll Forward]
Open claims - beginning of year	53	53	53	54	57
New claims filed	1	1	2	2	2
Claims settled	0	0	(1)	(1)	(1)
Claims dismissed	(4)	(1)	(1)	(2)	(4)
Open claims - end of period	50	53	53	53	54
Hercules [Member]
Asbestos claims [Roll Forward]
Open claims - beginning of year	13	13	13	12	15
New claims filed			1	2	1
Claims dismissed		(1)	(1)	(1)	(4)
Open claims - end of period	13	12	13	13	12

Litigation, Claims and Contin_4

Litigation, Claims and Contingencies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)WasteTreatmentorDisposalSiteFacilityServiceStationProperty		Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2019USD ($)		Sep. 30, 2018USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Environmental Remediation Costs Recognized [Abstract]
Number of waste treatment or disposal sites were company is identified as a potentially responsible party under the superfund or similar state laws | WasteTreatmentorDisposalSite		79
Number of current and former operating facilities subject to various environmental laws | Facility		113
Total number of service station properties subject to various environmental laws | ServiceStationProperty		1,225
Number of service stations being actively remediated | ServiceStationProperty		28
Accrual for environmental loss contingencies		$ 178		$ 179	$ 186		$ 187
Accrued environmental loss contingencies, noncurrent		135			143
Recorded third-party environmental recoveries receivable		14			13
Recorded third-party environmental recoveries, noncurrent		$ 12			12
Maximum reserve for remediation reserve related to any one site (in hundredths)		15.00%
Minimum [Member]
Asbestos litigation cost projection [Abstract]
Number of Years Included in Asbestos Assumption		40 years
Maximum [Member]
Asbestos litigation cost projection [Abstract]
Number of Years Included in Asbestos Assumption		50 years
Environmental Remediation Costs Recognized [Abstract]
Environmental exit costs, reasonably possible additional loss		$ 425
Ashland [Member]
Asbestos claims [Roll Forward]
Increase (Decrease) in asbestos-related claims	$ 1	0		0	1		(8)	$ 36
Total reserves for asbestos claims		337	[1]	366	352	[1]	380	419	$ 415
Movement in Loss Contingency Receivable, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Insurance receivable		109	[2]	136	123	[2]	140	155	151
Receivable adjustment	(5)	0		0	(5)		(5)	15
Asbestos litigation cost projection [Abstract]
Possible total future litigation defense and claim settlement costs		600
Hercules [Member]
Asbestos claims [Roll Forward]
Increase (Decrease) in asbestos-related claims	(10)	0		0	(10)		(19)	16
Total reserves for asbestos claims		242	[3]	272	252	[3]	282	323	321
Movement in Loss Contingency Receivable, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Insurance receivable		49		54	49		54	68	$ 63
Receivable adjustment	$ (5)	0		$ 0	$ (5)		$ (14)	$ 5
Asbestos litigation cost projection [Abstract]
Possible total future litigation defense and claim settlement costs		$ 450
[1]	Included
[2]	Included $13 million and $15 million classified in accounts receivable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively
[3]	Included

Litigation, Claims and Contin_5

Litigation, Claims and Contingencies - Schedule of Progression of Activity in the Asbestos Reserve (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020		Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Ashland [Member]
Asbestos reserve [Roll Forward]
Asbestos reserve - beginning of year	$ 366	$ 352	[1]	$ 380	$ 380		$ 419	$ 415
Reserve adjustment	1	0		0	1		(8)	36
Amounts paid		(15)		(14)	(29)		(31)	(32)
Asbestos reserve - end of period		337	[1]	366	352	[1]	380	419
Hercules [Member]
Asbestos reserve [Roll Forward]
Asbestos reserve - beginning of year	272	252	[2]	282	282		323	321
Reserve adjustment	$ (10)	0		0	(10)		(19)	16
Amounts paid		(10)		(10)	(20)		(22)	(14)
Asbestos reserve - end of period		$ 242	[2]	$ 272	$ 252	[2]	$ 282	$ 323
[1]	Included
[2]	Included

Litigation, Claims and Contin_6

Litigation, Claims and Contingencies - Schedule of Progression of Activity in the Asbestos Reserve (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020		Sep. 30, 2019		Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Ashland [Member]
Asbestos claims [Roll Forward]
Asbestos reserve	$ 337	[1]	$ 352	[1]	$ 366	$ 380	$ 419	$ 415
Ashland [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Asbestos claims [Roll Forward]
Asbestos reserve	28		28
Hercules [Member]
Asbestos claims [Roll Forward]
Asbestos reserve	242	[2]	252	[2]	$ 272	$ 282	$ 323	$ 321
Hercules [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Asbestos claims [Roll Forward]
Asbestos reserve	$ 21		$ 21
[1]	Included
[2]	Included

Litigation, Claims and Contin_7

Litigation, Claims and Contingencies - Summary of Progression of Insurance Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020		Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020		Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019		Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Movement in Loss Contingency Receivable, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Insurance settlement	$ 3			$ 0	$ 3		$ 1
Ashland [Member]
Movement in Loss Contingency Receivable, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Insurance receivable - beginning of year			$ 136		123	[1]	140	$ 140		$ 155	$ 151
Receivable adjustment			(5)		0		0	(5)		(5)	15
Insurance settlement					(10)		0	0		0	(5)
Amounts collected					(4)		(4)	(12)		(10)	(6)
Insurance receivable - end of period	109	[1]		136	109	[1]	136	123	[1]	140	155
Hercules [Member]
Movement in Loss Contingency Receivable, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Insurance receivable - beginning of year			54		49		54	54		68	63
Receivable adjustment			$ (5)		0		0	(5)		(14)	5
Insurance receivable - end of period	$ 49			$ 54	$ 49		$ 54	$ 49		$ 54	$ 68
[1]	Included $13 million and $15 million classified in accounts receivable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively

Litigation, Claims and Contin_8

Litigation, Claims and Contingencies - Summary of Progression of Insurance Receivable (Parenthetical) (Details) - Ashland [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2020		Sep. 30, 2019		Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Movement in Loss Contingency Receivable, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Insurance receivable	$ 109	[1]	$ 123	[1]	$ 136	$ 140	$ 155	$ 151
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Movement in Loss Contingency Receivable, Increase (Decrease) [Roll Forward]
Insurance receivable	$ 13		$ 15
[1]	Included $13 million and $15 million classified in accounts receivable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively

Litigation, Claims and Contin_9

Litigation, Claims and Contingencies - Summary of Reconciliation of Changes in Environmental Remediation Reserves (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]
Reserve - beginning of period	$ 186	$ 187
Disbursements	(19)	(15)
Revised obligation estimates and accretion	11	7
Reserve - end of period	$ 178	$ 179

Litigation, Claims and Conti_10

Litigation, Claims and Contingencies - Summary of Components of Environmental Remediation Expense Included within Selling, General and Administrative Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Environmental Expense And Liabilities [Abstract]
Environmental expense		$ 8	$ 3	$ 10	$ 6
Accretion		1	1	1	1
Legal expense		1	2	3	3
Total expense		10	6	14	10
Insurance receivable		(3)	0	(3)	(1)
Total expense, net of receivable activity	[1]	$ 7	$ 6	$ 11	$ 9
[1]	Net expense of $2 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, and $1 million and $2 million the three and six months ended March 31, 2019, respectively, relates to divested businesses which qualified for treatment as discontinued operations for which certain environmental liabilities were retained by Ashland. These amounts are classified within the income from discontinued operations caption of the Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (loss).

Litigation, Claims and Conti_11

Litigation, Claims and Contingencies - Summary of Components of Environmental Remediation Expense Included within Selling, General and Administrative Expense (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Environmental Expense And Liabilities [Abstract]
Net expense relates to divested businesses	$ 2	$ 1	$ 2	$ 2

Earnings Per Share - Additional

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Details) - shares shares in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from calculation of earnings per share	2	1

Earnings Per Share - Computatio

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Numerator
Numerator for basic and diluted EPS - Income (loss) from continuing operations		$ (575)	$ 45	$ (541)	$ (26)
Denominator
Denominator for basic EPS - Weighted-average common shares outstanding		61	63	61	63
Share based awards convertible to common shares	[1]	0	1	0	0
Denominator for diluted EPS - Adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		61	64	61	63
PER SHARE DATA
Basic		$ (9.48)	$ 0.72	$ (8.93)	$ (0.41)
Diluted		$ (9.48)	$ 0.71	$ (8.93)	$ (0.41)
[1]	As a result of the loss from continuing operations attributable to Ashland during the three and six months ended March 31,2020, respectively and the six months ended March 31, 2019, the effect of the share-based awards convertible to common shares would be antidilutive and have been excluded from the diluted EPS calculation.

Equity Items - Additional Infor

Equity Items - Additional Information (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Paid	$ 0.275	$ 0.275	$ 0.275	$ 0.275	$ 0.25	$ 0.25	$ 0.550
Percentage of increase in cash dividend	10.00%

Equity Items - Components of Ac

Equity Items - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Unrealized translation gain (loss), before tax	$ (52)	$ (9)	$ (14)	$ (40)
Unrealized translation gain (loss), net of tax	(52)	(9)	(14)	(40)
Adjustment of unrecognized prior service cost (credit), before tax				(7)
Adjustment of unrecognized prior service cost (credit), tax				1
Adjustment of unrecognized prior service cost (credit), net of tax				(6)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax	(52)	(9)	(14)	(47)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), tax				1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ (52)	$ (9)	$ (14)	$ (46)

Equity Items - Summary of Recon

Equity Items - Summary of Reconciliation of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Balance, end of period		$ 2,983	$ 3,362	$ 2,983	$ 3,362
Cash dividends declared per common share		$ 0.275	$ 0.250	$ 0.550	$ 0.500
Common Stock and Paid in Capital [Member]
Balance, beginning of period		$ 758	$ 948	$ 757	$ 947
Common shares issued under stock incentive and other plans	[1]	8	5	9	6
Balance, end of period		766	953	766	953
Retained earnings [Member]
Balance, beginning of period		3,239	2,719	3,224	2,750
Adoption of new accounting pronouncements	[2]		1		34
Net income (loss)		(582)	76	(550)	28
Regular dividends		(16)	(16)	(33)	(32)
Balance, end of period		2,641	2,780	2,641	2,780
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Member]
Balance, beginning of period		(372)	(362)	(410)	(291)
Adoption of new accounting pronouncements	[2]				(34)
Unrealized translation gain (loss)		(52)	(9)	(14)	(40)
Pension and postretirement obligation adjustment					(6)
Balance, end of period		$ (424)	$ (371)	$ (424)	$ (371)
[1]	Common shares issued were 208,564 shares and 93,738 shares for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and 279,025 shares and 234,352 shares for the six months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.
[2]	Represents the cumulative-effect adjustment related to the adoption of the new guidance related to the accounting for equity securities and tax effects of intercompany transfers during fiscal 2019.

Equity Items - Summary of Rec_2

Equity Items - Summary of Reconciliation of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Equity [Abstract]
Common shares issued	208,564	93,738	279,025	234,352

Stock Incentive Plans - Compone

Stock Incentive Plans - Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Included in Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	[1]	Mar. 31, 2019	[2]	Mar. 31, 2020	[1]	Mar. 31, 2019	[2]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 4		$ 10		$ 9		$ 16
Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	1		2		3		4
Nonvested Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 3		6		5		10
Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation			$ 2		$ 1		$ 2
[1]	Included zero million and $1 million of expense related to cash-settled nonvested restricted stock awards during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and zero
[2]	Included $2 million and $3 million of expense related to cash-settled nonvested restricted stock awards during the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 and $2 million of expense related to cash-settled performance units during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Stock Incentive Plans - Compo_2

Stock Incentive Plans - Components of Stock-Based Compensation Expense Included in Continuing Operations (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020		Mar. 31, 2019		Mar. 31, 2020		Mar. 31, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 4	[1]	$ 10	[2]	$ 9	[1]	$ 16	[2]
Cash-settled Nonvested Restricted Stock Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	0		2		1		$ 3
Cash-settled Performance Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 0		$ 2		$ 0
[1]	Included zero million and $1 million of expense related to cash-settled nonvested restricted stock awards during the three and six months ended March 31, 2020 and zero
[2]	Included $2 million and $3 million of expense related to cash-settled nonvested restricted stock awards during the three and six months ended March 31, 2019 and $2 million of expense related to cash-settled performance units during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Revenue - Additional Informatio

Revenue - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue From Contracts With Customers [Line Items]
Maximum cash collection period from customer	60 days
Trade Receivable [Member]
Revenue From Contracts With Customers [Line Items]
Trade receivables	$ 458	$ 435

Revenue - Disaggregation of Rev

Revenue - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	$ 610	$ 667	$ 1,143	$ 1,243
Life Sciences [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	184	196	340	366
Life Sciences [Member] | North America [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	59	67	108	126
Life Sciences [Member] | Europe [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	63	61	112	110
Life Sciences [Member] | Asia Pacific [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	43	48	85	95
Life Sciences [Member] | Latin America & Other [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	19	20	35	35
Personal Care & Household [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	159	183	296	337
Personal Care & Household [Member] | North America [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	50	48	91	91
Personal Care & Household [Member] | Europe [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	69	86	124	149
Personal Care & Household [Member] | Asia Pacific [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	22	27	46	55
Personal Care & Household [Member] | Latin America & Other [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	18	22	35	42
Specialty Additives [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	155	169	294	316
Specialty Additives [Member] | North America [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	53	57	98	105
Specialty Additives [Member] | Europe [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	59	62	109	112
Specialty Additives [Member] | Asia Pacific [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	33	39	68	78
Specialty Additives [Member] | Latin America & Other [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	10	11	19	21
Performance Adhesives [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	85	89	159	171
Performance Adhesives [Member] | North America [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	73	75	137	144
Performance Adhesives [Member] | Europe [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	9	11	16	19
Performance Adhesives [Member] | Asia Pacific [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	1	1	3	3
Performance Adhesives [Member] | Latin America & Other [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	2	2	3	5
Intermediates and Solvents [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	37	44	64	77
Intermediates and Solvents [Member] | North America [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	23	29	37	50
Intermediates and Solvents [Member] | Europe [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	6	6	11	11
Intermediates and Solvents [Member] | Asia Pacific [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	6	7	13	13
Intermediates and Solvents [Member] | Latin America & Other [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Sales	$ 2	$ 2	$ 3	$ 3

Reportable Segment Informatio_2

Reportable Segment Information - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020ReportableSegment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	5

Reportable Segment Informatio_3

Reportable Segment Information - Summary of Financial Information for Each Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		$ 610	$ 667	$ 1,143	$ 1,243
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		(468)	44	(451)	37
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE		40	61	80	120
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE		21	21	42	43
EBITDA	[1],[2]	(407)	126	(329)	200
TOTAL ASSETS		6,968		6,968		$ 7,251
Life Sciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		184	196	340	366
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		36	33	58	56
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE		8	8	16	16
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE		7	7	14	14
EBITDA	[1],[2]	51	48	88	86
TOTAL ASSETS		1,973		1,973		1,946
Personal Care & Household [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		159	183	296	337
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		(336)	25	(326)	42
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE		10	10	20	21
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE		9	9	18	18
EBITDA	[1],[2]	(317)	44	(288)	81
TOTAL ASSETS		1,019		1,019		1,366
Consumer Specialties [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		343	379	636	703
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		(300)	58	(268)	98
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE		18	18	36	37
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE		16	16	32	32
EBITDA	[1],[2]	(266)	92	(200)	167
TOTAL ASSETS		2,992		2,992		3,312
Specialty Additives [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		155	169	294	316
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		(161)	(2)	(152)	(24)
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE		16	36	32	69
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE		4	3	8	9
EBITDA	[1],[2]	(141)	37	(112)	54
TOTAL ASSETS		1,627		1,627		1,775
Performance Adhesives [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		85	89	159	171
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		16	17	27	26
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE		3	3	6	6
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE		1	1	1	1
EBITDA	[1],[2]	20	21	34	33
TOTAL ASSETS		613		613		618
Industrial Specialties [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		240	258	453	487
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		(145)	15	(125)	2
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE		19	39	38	75
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE		5	4	9	10
EBITDA	[1],[2]	(121)	58	(78)	87
TOTAL ASSETS		2,240		2,240		2,393
Intermediates and Solvents [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales		37	44	64	77
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		(2)	9	(14)	11
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE		3	2	6	5
AMORTIZATION EXPENSE			1	1	1
EBITDA	[1],[2]	1	12	(7)	17
TOTAL ASSETS		176		176		185
Intermediates and Solvents [Member] | Intersegment Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	[3]	(10)	(14)	(10)	(24)
Unallocated and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		(21)	(38)	(44)	(74)
DEPRECIATION EXPENSE			2		3
EBITDA	[1],[2]	(21)	$ (36)	(44)	$ (71)
TOTAL ASSETS		$ 1,560		$ 1,560		$ 1,361
[1]	Excludes income (loss) from discontinued operations, other net periodic benefit income (expense) and net income (loss) on divestitures. See the Statement of Consolidated Comprehensive Income (Loss) for applicable amounts excluded.
[2]	Includes $20 million of accelerated depreciation for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and $39 million for the six months ended March 31, 2019.
[3]	Intersegment sales from Intermediates and Solvents are accounted for at prices that approximate fair value. All other intersegment sales are accounted for at cost.

Reportable Segment Informatio_4

Reportable Segment Information - Summary of Financial Information for Each Reportable Segment (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Accelerated depreciation	$ 20	$ 39