AkzoNobel is to reinforce its Specialty Chemicals portfolio by
acquiring businesses in Europe and Asia. The company has signed two
agreements which will strengthen both its paper and polymer chemicals
activities.
 
The first deal involves AkzoNobel's Pulp & Paper Chemicals business,
Eka Chemicals, acquiring Levasil, the silica sol business of
Germany's H.C. Starck Group. Meanwhile, AkzoNobel Polymer Chemicals
has agreed to purchase two organic peroxides product lines from
China's Jiangsu QiangSheng.
 
"These two transactions underline our strategic commitment to grow
our existing portfolio," explains Rob Frohn, Akzo Nobel's Board
member responsible for Specialty Chemicals. "They will further
improve our capability to serve customers in key markets where we
already hold strong global positions."
 
Located in Leverkusen, H.C. Starck supplies its Levasil silica sol
brand as a raw material - mainly to markets in Europe - with the
plant's production capacity totaling around 30,000 tons a year. The
business employs approximately 50 people. Silica sols are used in
various manufacturing industries, including paper, electronics and
construction.
 
Subject to regulatory approvals, the acquisition is expected to be
completed no later than the third quarter of 2008.
 
Jiangsu QiangSheng is China's largest manufacturer and supplier of
organic peroxides. AkzoNobel is acquiring two of the company's
organic peroxides product lines, which are used mainly in keyboard
pads and for the production of silicone rubber. Customers are located
primarily in China, Taiwan and Korea.
 
Completion is expected in the second quarter of 2008.
 
Financial details were not disclosed.
----
Note to editors - not for publication
AkzoNobel is proud to be one of the world's leading industrial
companies. Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we make and supply a
wide range of paints, coatings and specialty chemicals - pro forma
2007 revenue totaled ?14.4 billion. In fact, we are the largest
global paints and coatings company. As a major producer of specialty
chemicals we supply industries worldwide with quality ingredients for
life's essentials. We think about the future, but act in the present.
We're passionate about introducing new ideas and developing
sustainable answers for our customers. That's why our 60,000
employees - who are based in more than 80 countries - are committed
to excellence and delivering Tomorrow's Answers Today.

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AkzoNobel
Corporate Media Relations, tel. +31 20 502 7833                  
Corporate Investor Relations, tel. +31 20 502 7854
Contact: Heleen van de
Lustgraaf                                          Contact: Dick
Luijckx
 
 
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