Akzo Nobel N.V. — M&A Activity 2007

Apr 26, 2007

Akzo Nobel to invest EUR 250 million in Chinese chemicals plants

Arnhem, the Netherlands, 26 April, 2007 — Akzo Nobel is to spend EUR 250 million on building two chemicals plants in China—the first confirmed investments in a new multi-site being established by the company in Ningbo.

As announced last October, a 50 hectare plot has been reserved within the Ningbo Chemical Industry Zone (NCIZ) and the two new facilities—for the manufacture of ethylene amines and chelating agents—will be the first to be constructed on what will be one of the biggest sites for the company's activities in the world. Work will begin once the relevant approvals have been obtained from the Chinese authorities.

"Accelerating growth—particularly in the emerging markets—is one of the company's main strategic priorities," said Leif Darner, the Akzo Nobel Board member responsible for Chemicals. "The scale of this substantial investment not only underlines the fact that our growth strategy is gaining momentum, but also reinforces our commitment to consolidating our leadership positions across all businesses."

Continued Darner: "China is an extremely important market for us and we are having to respond to growing demand for our products. We plan to make further investments in grassroots chemical production facilities in Ningbo at the appropriate time."

Both plants—which will create several hundred new jobs—will utilize state-of-the-art technology and will meet high, self-imposed standards for eco-efficiency. The chelating agents plant is expected to start up in 2009, followed by the ethylene amines factory in early 2010.

"We are planning to build two world scale production facilities for both ethylene amines and chelates similar in size and scope to our existing plants in Europe and the United States," added Jo Lennartz, General Manager of Akzo Nobel's Functional Chemicals business. "We will also install the capacity to manufacture our own key raw materials. We have chosen Ningbo for these investments because its location just south of Shanghai and its excellent transport links will enable us to supply the growing needs of our customers in China and the entire Asia Pacific region."

Akzo Nobel currently operates two production sites in Ningbo (for Polymer Chemicals and Powder Coatings) and Darner points to the Coatings location in Suzhou, near Shanghai, as an example of how the company is already running a successful multi-site in China.

"Our activities in Suzhou prove that the multi-site model can be highly efficient and extremely productive and we want to mirror this success in Ningbo. Investments such as the one we are announcing today emphasize Akzo Nobel's commitment to organic growth in emerging markets and signal our intention to continue with our expansion plans."

Akzo Nobel nv Velperweg 76 P.O. Box 9300 6800 SB Arnhem The Netherlands Tel +31 26 366 43 43 Fax +31 26 366 49 40 Ethylene amines are intermediates used in a wide variety of industrial applications, such as agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, plastics, cosmetics and detergents. The company's chelating agents are used as intermediates or end products in a diverse range of applications to help enhance everyday human and animal well-being, such as micronutrients and food and beverage preservatives. They are also essential for photo and film processing, the bleaching of pulp and the manufacture of soaps and detergents. Leading brands include Dissolvine® and Ferrazone®.

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Note to editors

Akzo Nobel is a Fortune Global 500 company and is listed on both the Euronext Amsterdam and NASDAQ stock exchanges. It is also included on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and FTSE4Good Index. Based in the Netherlands, we are a multicultural organization serving customers throughout the world with coatings, chemicals and human and animal healthcare products. We employ around 62,000 people and conduct our activities in these four segments, with operating subsidiaries in more than 80 countries. Consolidated revenues for 2006 totaled EUR 13.7 billion. The financial results for the second quarter will be published on July 24, 2007.

Internet: www.akzonobel.com

Not for publication – for more information Akzo Nobel nv Corporate Media Relations, tel. +31 26 366 43 43

Contact: Heleen van de Lustgraaf

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This press release may contain statements which address such key issues as Akzo Nobel's growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and product approvals. Such statements should be carefully considered, and it should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, progress of drug development, clinical testing and regulatory approval, developments in raw material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more comprehensive discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please see our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which can be found on the company's corporate website www.akzonobel.com. The 2006 Annual Report on Form 20-F will be available at the end of the second quarter of 2007.

* Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995.