NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) IN, INTO OR FROM AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, November 5, 2007 - Akzo Nobel N.V. (Akzo Nobel) shareholders today gave strong support for the company's proposed acquisition of Imperial Chemical Industries PLC (ICI).
At an Extraordinary General Meeting held in Amsterdam, shareholders voted 79 percent in favor of the transaction. The transaction is expected to close on January 2, 2008, subject to the outcome of ICI's court meeting and EGM - which will both be held tomorrow - and certain other conditions precedent.
Commenting on the approval, Akzo Nobel CEO Hans Wijers said: "We have taken a major step towards creating a global industrial leader in coatings and specialty chemicals which will provide significant benefits for shareholders, employees and other stakeholders.
"This deal is about growth. It's about combining the expertise, technologies, products and brands that both companies have developed, and achieving leading positions across different global markets to create a strong platform for future growth."
- - -
Note to editors
Akzo Nobel is a Fortune Global 500 company and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. It is also the Chemicals Industry leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and Akzo Nobel is included on the 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 year 2007 will be published on March 6, 2008.
Internet: www.akzonobel.com
Not for publication - for more information
Akzo Nobel nv
Corporate Media Relations, tel. +31 20 502 7833
Contact: Tim van der Zanden
