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News Release



                                      FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
                                      Ken Gordon
                                      (859) 815-4195 (office)
                                      (614) 886-4424 (mobile)
                                      kdgordon@ashland.com

                                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
                                      June 29, 2005



ASHLAND INC. SHAREHOLDERS
APPROVE MAP TRANSACTION

COVINGTON,  Ky. -  Shareholders  of Ashland Inc.  (NYSE:  ASH) at a special
meeting  today  approved  the  previously  announced  agreement to transfer
Ashland's  38-percent  interest in Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP) and
two  other  businesses  to  Marathon  Oil  Corporation  (NYSE:  MRO)  in  a
transaction valued at approximately $3.7 billion.  The two other businesses
are Ashland's maleic anhydride business and 60 Valvoline Instant Oil Change
(VIOC) centers in Michigan and northwest Ohio.
         Approval required the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares
outstanding  as of May 12, 2005. Of the  72,984,120  shares  eligible to be
voted,  78 percent voted to approve the  transaction.  Of the shares voted,
more than 98 percent voted to approve the transaction.
         Closing of the transaction is expected to take place tomorrow.
         Ashland   Inc.   (NYSE:   ASH)  is  a  Fortune  500  chemical  and
transportation   construction  company  providing  products,  services  and
customer solutions throughout the world. To learn more about Ashland, visit
www.ashland.com.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange  Act of  1934.  These  statements  include  those  that  refer  to
Ashland's expectations about the MAP transaction. Although Ashland believes
its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions,  it cannot assure the
expectations reflected herein will be achieved.  The risks,  uncertainties,
and  assumptions  include the  possibility  that  Ashland will be unable to
fully  realize  the  benefits  anticipated  from the MAP  transaction;  the
possibility  the  transaction  may not  close  and  other  risks  that  are
described from time to time in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
reports of Ashland,  ATB Holdings  Inc. and New EXM Inc.  Other factors and
risks  affecting  Ashland are contained in Ashland's Form 10-K, as amended,
for the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, 2004,  filed with the SEC and available
on Ashland's Investor Relations website at www.ashland.com/investors or the
SEC's  website  at  www.sec.gov.   Ashland   undertakes  no  obligation  to
subsequently update or revise the  forward-looking  statements made in this
news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this news
release.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MAP TRANSACTION
The  registration  statement  containing  the  proxy   statement/prospectus
relating to the  transaction  was declared  effective by the SEC on May 20,
2005. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus relating to the transaction
was filed with the SEC on May 25,  2005 and was  mailed on May 27,  2005 to
shareholders of record as of May 12, 2005.  Investors and security  holders
are urged to read those documents and any other relevant documents filed or
that will be filed  with the SEC as they  become  available,  because  they
contain,  or will  contain,  important  information.  Security  holders may
obtain a free copy of the definitive proxy  statement/prospectus  and other
documents  filed with the SEC by Ashland,  ATB  Holdings and New EXM at the
SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus and
other documents filed with the SEC by Ashland, ATB Holdings and New EXM may
also be obtained for free in the SEC filings section on Ashland's  Investor
Relations website at  www.ashland.com/investors,  or by directing a request
to Ashland at 50 E. RiverCenter Blvd.,  Covington, KY 41012. The respective
directors and executive officers of Ashland and other persons may be deemed
to be  participants  in  solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed
transaction.   Information  regarding  Ashland's  directors  and  executive
officers is available in its proxy  statement filed with the SEC by Ashland
on December  14,  2004.  Investors  may obtain  information  regarding  the
interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with
the  transaction  referenced  in the foregoing  information  by reading the
definitive proxy statement/prospectus.