Akzo Nobel N.V. — M&A Activity 2013

Jun 26, 2013

Akzo Nobel N.V. Corporate Communications Strawinskylaan 2555 PO Box 75730 1070 AS Amsterdam The Netherlands

T +31 20 502 78 33 F +31 20 502 76 04 www.akzonobel.com

June 26, 2013

AkzoNobel divesting German paint stores to sharpen distribution focus

AkzoNobel today announced its intention to divest its decorative paints stores for professionals in Germany to independent wholesale distributors.

The move is intended to strengthen the performance of the company's German Decorative Paints business by focusing its activities on the distribution and marketing of paint under brands such as Sikkens, Herbol and Consolan.

"We are changing the marketing strategy of our German Decorative Paints business to focus on our key organizational strengths of marketing and distributing our strong paint brands," said Ruud Joosten, the company's Executive Committee member responsible for Decorative Paints. "This is part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen both our organizational efficiency and our profitability in Germany."

The company currently operates 72 German stores selling professional paint and third party products, with the Decorative Paints organization employing around 950 people in Germany. In total, AkzoNobel's Decorative Paints, Performance Coatings and Specialty Chemicals businesses have 3,900 employees in Germany, along with 17 manufacturing plants and eight offices, generating revenue of close to €1.3 billion in the country in 2012.

The new set-up will allow AkzoNobel to select the most efficient distribution channels for its professional paint products, rather than operating its own stores. The company intends to enter into strategic partnership agreements with the future shop owners, as well as strengthening its relationship with its existing network of independent distributors.

Commenting on the company's plans, Werner Fuhrmann, the Executive Committee member responsible for Specialty Chemicals and Germany, said: "Germany has always been, and will remain, an important market for AkzoNobel. The company is continuing to invest in Germany, evidenced by recent acquisitions including Schramm (2011), Lindgens Metal Decorating Coatings (2010), Dow Chemicals' Rohm & Haas business (2010) and LII Europe (2009). A total of €140 million is also being invested in new technology at a chemicals plant in Frankfurt, which is expected to go on stream in the first quarter of 2014."

AkzoNobel will also be reviewing its office footprint in Germany. Continued Fuhrmann: "These improvements are intended to reduce complexity and further improve the operational efficiency of our German activities. They will boost our competitiveness and help us to greater success for our businesses in Germany going forward."

---

AkzoNobel is a leading global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals. We supply industries and consumers worldwide with innovative products and are passionate about developing sustainable answers for our customers. Our portfolio includes well-known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we are consistently ranked as one of the leaders in the area of sustainability. With operations in more than 80 countries, our 50,000 people around the world are committed to excellence and delivering Tomorrow's Answers Today™.

Not for publication – for more information

Contact: Kirstin Steffen Contact: Jonathan Atack and Sheryl Stokes

Corporate Media Relations, tel. +31 20 502 7833 Corporate Investor Relations, tel. +31 20 502 7854

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements which address such key issues as AkzoNobel's growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, 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, 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 latest Annual Report, a copy of which can be found on the company's corporate website www.akzonobel.com.