Ashland names Jones director of bioproducts

David K. Jones has been named to a newly created position as director of bioproducts for Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH). The announcement was made by Walter H. Solomon, chief growth officer, to whom Jones will report.

“We believe we’ve seen a tipping point in the global market for bio-based alternatives to petrochemicals,” said Solomon, “as a function of escalating hydrocarbon costs, improvements in bio-conversion technologies and end-user demand for renewable products. We are already seeing, and expect to continue to see, extraordinary growth in this market segment, and as such, Ashland has been developing a strategy to shape the emerging landscape of bio-based specialty chemicals. Bio’s time has come.”

Jones joined Ashland in 1984 as a product development chemist in Specialty Polymers & Adhesives. He then progressed through roles in technical service, sales, marketing and global business management. His last role in Specialty Polymers & Adhesives was global director of sales. In August 2005, he was appointed to the initial growth office team and he has served as a director in Ashland’s growth office since then.

“Dave Jones has already played a very strong role in shaping Ashland’s bio strategy and is a natural fit to lead Ashland’s bio-growth platform for the future,” commented Solomon.

Recently Jones received an appointment to the board of the Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center (OPIC), a new research initiative that integrates academia and industry toward the development of renewable specialty chemicals, polymers/plastics and advanced materials.