9.06.2007 - 12:21pm ET

(CSRwire) AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - September 6, 2007 - Akzo Nobel has today been ranked as the chemicals industry leader on the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability World Indexes (DJSI), recognizing the company's ongoing commitment to improving its social responsibility performance.

Rated on the index for the third successive year, Akzo Nobel again improved its average score in the individual indicators and achieved a best-ever overall mark, thus becoming the global sector leader for the chemicals industry.

Commenting on the company's leadership ranking, CEO Hans Wijers said: "This is a clear message, based on independent research, that our strategy is paying off. As a company we are well positioned to deliver sustainable solutions for our customers, while at the same time creating top-line growth. The top rating on the DJSI World Index represents important recognition for the company and is testament to the collective effort made by our employees around the world to embrace sustainable business practices."

One of the world's foremost corporate social responsibility indices, the DJSI World Index benchmarks the sustainability performance of leading companies based on environmental, social and economic performance, including forward-looking financial indicators.

"We are convinced that doing business in a sustainable manner is key to our economic success now and in the future," added Wijers. "Compared with our peers, Akzo Nobel is number one with respect to the use of renewables, carbon emissions and energy efficiency. Indeed, around 40 percent of the energy we use in our production processes originates from renewable energy, twice the European target for 2020."

Launched in 1999, the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes are the first global indexes tracking the financial performance of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide.

The company's 2006 Corporate Social Responsibility Report - entitled Fit for the Future - can be found at www.akzonobel.com. For further information about the DJSI, including a full list of member companies and a guide to the assessment and selection process, please visit www.sustainability-indexes.com.

Akzo Nobel is a Fortune Global 500 company and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam. 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 third quarter will be published on October, 23, 2007.

Internet: www.akzonobel.com


Safe Harbor Statement*
This press release contains 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.

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