Ashland Inc. is expanding production of Natrosol hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) by 7,000 metric tons across its global network through capacity additions at its facilities in Nanjing, China, and Zwijndrecht, the Netherlands. In addition, Ashland is increasing production of its Natrosol Plus hydrophobically modified HEC product line at its Parlin, N.J., plant. Natrosol HEC is a cellulosic polymer used as an additive in a wide variety of water-based consumer and industrial products including latex paints, paper coatings and personal care items such as shampoos and shower gels.