EXHIBIT 32

                               ASHLAND INC.


                         CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                          18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                           AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
               SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Quarterly  Report of Ashland Inc. (the "Company") on
Form  10-Q  for the  period  ended  December  31,  2005 as  filed  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"),  each
of the  undersigned,  James J.  O'Brien,  Chief  Executive  Officer  of the
Company,  and J.  Marvin  Quin,  Chief  Financial  Officer of the  Company,
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of his knowledge, that:

(1)  The  Report  fully  complies,  in  all  material  respects,  with  the
     requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act
     of 1934; and

(2)  The  information  contained  in the  Report  fairly  presents,  in all
     material respects,  the financial  condition and results of operations
     of the Company as of and for the periods presented in the report.

The foregoing  certification  is provided  solely for purposes of complying
with the provisions of Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and is
not intended to be used or relied upon for any other purpose.

/s/ James J. O'Brien
- ----------------------------------------------------------
James J. O'Brien
Chief Executive Officer
February ___, 2006

 /s/ J. Marvin Quin
- ----------------------------------------------------------
J. Marvin Quin
Chief Financial Officer
February ___, 2006

A signed  original of this  written  statement  required by Section 906 has
been  provided to Ashland  Inc.  and will be retained by Ashland  Inc.  and
furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or staff upon request.