New Akzo Nobel business unit Nobilas set for accelerated growth path

New Akzo Nobel business unit Nobilas set for accelerated growth path Arnhem, the Netherlands, March 12, 2004 - Akzo Nobel today announced that after successfully launching Nobilas Claims & Fleet Solutions in June 2003, the business will become a separate business unit as of April 1, 2004. Nobilas manages the complete accident repair cycle of a car, including the claims handling and invoicing of all parties concerned. The new business unit will be headed by Cor de Grauw (54), currently General Manager of Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes. Rudy van der Meer, Member of Akzo Nobel's Board of Management responsible for Coatings, explained: "The decision to establish Nobilas as a separate business unit was taken to stimulate an accelerated growth path and fully exploit the potential to become the leading provider of effective solutions in all areas of accident management services." Added Cor de Grauw: "Our ambition is to grow Nobilas in the coming five years as a service supplier to the global market of car insurers and corporate fleets, which will handle more than three million repairs annually. What makes Nobilas so attractive to customers is that it is able to offer a comprehensive package of modular-based services and global customized solutions. It also delivers benefits to all parties involved in the car accident repair industry by eliminating unnecessary costs from the total value chain." Nobilas recently entered into a strategic alliance with Aon, the number one automotive service provider in the world. Aon's claims, risk management and risk finance expertise, combined with Nobilas' accident repair activities, will enable both partners to offer a unique and comprehensive service to the international corporate fleet market. Mr. De Grauw, an organic chemistry engineer, is a graduate from the Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands. He joined Akzo in 1978 as a research chemist and progressed within the Car Refinishes business unit, where he has held various international posts in the field of marketing and technical support. He was appointed General Manager of Car Refinishes in 1993. Over the last ten years, Mr. De Grauw has successfully grown the Car Refinishes business from a regional position into one of the three leading global companies in this industry, mainly through organic growth. Note for the editor Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Consolidated sales for 2003 totaled EUR 13 billion. The Company currently employs approximately 64,500 people in more than 80 countries. The financial results for the first quarter will be published on April 20, 2004. Nobilas Claims & Fleet solutions, an Akzo Nobel company operating in Europe and North America, is a business to business service provider, combining leading car repair process management skills with claims management, supply chain management and fleet imaging services. Clients are (car) insurers, car leasing companies, car rental companies and corporate car fleet owners. Internet: www.akzonobel.com; www.nobilas.com Not for publication - for more information Akzo Nobel N.V. Marc Michelsen, Manager Corporate Communications, tel. +31 26 366 4343 Safe Harbor Statement* This press release may contain 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, 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 complete discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please refer to 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 website. * Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/03/12/20040312BIT00050/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/03/12/20040312BIT00050/wkr0002.pdf