AkzoNobel Opens ‘Tomorrow’s Answers Today’ Post-Graduate Contest

AkzoNobel Opens ‘Tomorrow’s Answers Today’ Post-Graduate Contest

AkzoNobel to award cash prize, free trip to Chicago for post-graduate students to meet with industry leaders to encourage exploration of the role that chemical engineering and material sciences play in innovation. Call for Entries now through March 15, 2013.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: George Nolan | AkzoNobel

(312) 544-7457 | george.nolan@akzonobel.com

CHICAGO, Mar. 8, 2013 — AkzoNobel, the largest global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals, today announced that it will be extending the deadline on its U.S. ‘Tomorrow’s Answers Today’ poster competition to encourage additional students to enter for the chance to win a $1,000 cash prize, an all-expenses paid trip to visit AkzoNobel’s North American headquarters in Chicago, Ill. and the opportunity to meet with company executives and industry leaders at an event in June.

The competition is open to students who are pursuing graduate (masters, Ph.D., or post-doctoral) research in the chemical sciences or technologies, including chemistry, chemical engineering and material science at any educational institution in the U.S.

The competition aims to highlight the best ideas that show the greatest insight into future trends in our society in response to the following questions:

* What are going to be the biggest trends and challenges for the development of our society over the next 10 years in which chemistry will have a decisive role to play?

* What new scientific and technological developments will society need to make in the areas of the chemical sciences to realize the trends?

* What are going to be the most important new applications for novel products and process developments which will improve the lives of citizens and what sciences will underpin them?

To enter or learn more about the competition, students are encouraged to visit http://www.akzonobel.com/innovation/poster_competition/.

Following the submission process, a panel of AkzoNobel scientists and engineers will choose five finalists to be invited to attend a special event at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago on June 6, 2013, where their posters will be showcased to an audience of leading academics, business executives and media.

After the event in Chicago, one finalist will be selected and awarded a $1,000 cash prize as well as the opportunity to visit AkzoNobel research facilities located in the U.S.

For additional details including official rules, prizes and key dates, as well as background on previous competitions’ winners, visit http://www.akzonobel.com/innovation/poster_competition/

As a global leader in decorative and industrial coatings and a leading specialty chemicals company, AkzoNobel is constantly exploring areas of innovation in which chemical technology will play an important role in meeting the needs of the world. The aim of the competition is to encourage young researchers to explore the role that chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science will play in driving sustainable innovations that will meet the needs of society, the environment and consumers in the future.

AkzoNobel first held the regional competition in China in 2010 with subsequent competitions held in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. To reflect the increasingly global nature of the company, the Tomorrow’s Answers Today poster competition is being further extended to Sweden and the U.S. in 2013.

AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel is the largest 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 Glidden, Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we are a Global Fortune 500 company and are consistently ranked as one of the leaders in the area of sustainability. With operations in more than 80 countries, our 55,000 people around the world are committed to excellence and delivering Tomorrow’s Answers Today.

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.

Additional Contact for Newspaper Editors

AkzoNobel North America Communications, +1-312-544-7457, George Nolan

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