Akzo Nobel listed on FTSE4Good Index

Arnhem, the Netherlands, March 10, 2006 — Akzo Nobel’s strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has received further recognition with a listing on the FTSE Group’s prestigious FTSE4Good Index.

The European equivalent of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index in the United States (on which Akzo Nobel was listed last year), the FTSE4Good indexes—which are used extensively by investors worldwide—measure the performance of companies that meet globally recognized CSR standards. “We are very proud of this listing, which is further acknowledgement of our commitment to making CSR a fundamental component of Akzo Nobel’s business strategy,” said CEO Hans Wijers. “Conducting our activities in a sustainable manner is key to our success and we will continue to set ambitious CSR targets in order to meet the demands of the future.” The FTSE4Good selection criteria cover areas of environmental sustainability, developing positive relationships with stakeholders and upholding and supporting universal human rights. Akzo Nobel already complied with a number of criteria and was included on the list after recently meeting two additional requirements: human rights criteria for companies with a “significant presence” in countries of concern and countering bribery criteria for “high risk” companies. “Social responsibility is an integral part of our growth strategy and it’s important that our efforts to embed CSR into all our businesses and processes are being recognized,” continued Wijers, who added that Akzo Nobel will be publishing its 2005 Corporate Social Responsibility Report in early April. “This FTSE4Good listing helps to enhance our reputation for overall operational excellence and highlights the fact that we are fully committed to the continued improvement of our sustainability performance.” Commenting on the index, Mark Makepeace, Chief Executive of FTSE Group, said: “The FTSE4Good index is a driving force in encouraging companies globally to be more aware of criteria used for socially responsible investment. We are committed to working with investors, companies and other interested parties to develop and encourage corporate responsible behavior, which enhances shareholder value.” A world leader in the creation and management of indexes, the FTSE Group also operates several other globally recognized indexes, including the FTSE All-World Index, the FTSEurofirst Index series and the prominent FTSE 100. ---