AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS--(Marketwire - Oct 18, 2012) -

  * Revenue up 6 percent to EUR4.28 billion, mainly driven by currencies
    and pricing actions
  * Volumes declined 3 percent, primarily due to economic slowdown in
    Europe
  * EBITDA up 7 percent at EUR540 million (2011: EUR507 million)
  * Impairment of EUR2.5 billion in Decorative Paints, resulting in a net
    loss of EUR2.4 billion
  * Adjusted EPS EUR1.01 (2011: EUR0.91)
  * Interim dividend of EUR0.33 per share declared
  * Performance improvement program is on track
  * Economic environment remains our principal sensitivity

 Q3 2012 in EUR million

                                     Q3 2011   Q3 2012   D%

  Revenue                              4,051     4,280    6
  EBITDA                                 507       540    7
  EBITDA margin (in %)                  12.5      12.6
  Net income continuing operations       148   (2,360)


January - September 2012 in EUR million

                                   Jan. - Sep. 2011   Jan. - Sep. 2012   D%

  Revenue                                    11,910             12,658    6
  EBITDA                                      1,495              1,556    4
  EBITDA margin (in %)                         12.6               12.3
  Net income continuing operations              531            (2,093)

Akzo Nobel N.V. (AkzoNobel) today reported a 6 percent increase in third quarter revenue compared with the same period last year. This was due to favorable currency effects and pricing actions. EBITDA for Q3 was 7 percent higher at EUR540 million.

AkzoNobel has undertaken a prudent review, excluding restructuring benefits, of the balance sheet, taking into account lower expected market growth rates. This has resulted in a non-cash impairment charge against the Decorative Paints businesses' assets, primarily in Europe.

Decorative Paints generated revenue of EUR1.46 billion, broadly unchanged on the comparative period. The difficult market conditions in Europe and Latin America were largely offset by strong revenue and volume growth in China and Northern Asia. Despite the volume decline AkzoNobel has been able to maintain or increase its relative market share in most of its markets. EBITDA of EUR147 million was down 1 percent on 2011.

In Performance Coatings, revenue increased 13 percent to EUR1.47 billion, driven by acquisitions in Industrial Coatings and strong demand in Protective Coatings. Volumes were flat with continued variability between markets. EBITDA increased 29 percent to EUR202 million as a result of margin growth from all business areas.

Specialty Chemicals revenue increased 3 percent to EUR1.39 billion. EBITDA fell 5 percent to EUR227 million impacted by lower volumes and margin weakness in Functional Chemicals. Surface Chemistry and Pulp and Performance Chemicals delivered the strongest EBITDA growth during the quarter.

Raw materials

The cost of AkzoNobel's raw materials in Q3 was slightly above last year, but has leveled off versus Q2. The price of TiO(2) has reduced, but is still higher than the previous year and there has been some volatility from oil-related feedstock. The company expects average raw material costs for the year slightly up due to the oil price increase in Q2.

Performance improvement program

Announced in October 2011, AkzoNobel's performance improvement program is focused on three main building blocks: operational professionalization, functional standardization and business unit specific adaptations. The program is on track to achieve the previously announced EUR200 million EBITDA by the end of 2012.

CFO Keith Nichols

"Despite the unavoidable impact of the economic slowdown, the business portfolio of AkzoNobel remains resilient, and we have reported solid operational results for the quarter. Many of our business units are performing well, maintaining high margins and market share. The impact of the slowdown is primarily being felt in the more consumer facing businesses. Looking forward, the principal concern remains the decorative paint markets in Europe. The impairment taken in this quarter is a reflection of these concerns and our realistic assessment of the markets going forward. As we cannot expect quick recovery of the economy, we also will continue to implement our ongoing improvement agenda in order to increase our profitability."

Outlook

During the year, the economic slowdown, particularly in Europe, is having an adverse impact on AkzoNobel's volumes. Additional restructuring activities are therefore being initiated to further reduce costs in the businesses that are most affected. In addition, the company's performance improvement program is on track.

AkzoNobel has a strong portfolio of complementary businesses with many leading market positions and exposure to growth markets. The company is confident with regard to the long-term growth of its business, but remains cautious over the shorter term development of its markets.

Business area highlights

                        Decorative Paints

  3(rd) Quarter                                January-September
   2011    2012   D%                            2011        2012    D%

  1,435   1,456    1    Revenue                4,092       4,249     4
    148     147   (1)   EBITDA                   429         398   (7)
   10.3    10.1         EBITDA margin (in %)    10.5         9.4

                       Performance Coatings

  3(rd) Quarter                               January-September
   2011    2012   D%                           2011        2012   D%

  1,295   1,467   13   Revenue                3,844       4,308   12
    157     202   29   EBITDA                   470         579   23
   12.1    13.8        EBITDA margin (in %)    12.2        13.4

                        Specialty Chemicals

  3(rd) Quarter                                January-September
   2011    2012   D%                            2011        2012   D%

  1,349   1,393    3    Revenue                4,050       4,223    4
    238     227   (5)   EBITDA                   699         717    3
   17.6    16.3         EBITDA margin (in %)    17.3        17.0

The 2012 Q3 report can be downloaded via the AkzoNobel Report iPad app http://bit.ly/obljrf or read online at www.akzonobel.com/quarterlyresults.

AkzoNobel is the largest global paint 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 Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we 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™.

Pdf file AkzoNobel Q3 2012 Report: http://hugin.info/130660/R/1650117/532112.pdf

Pdf file AkzoNobel Q3 2012 press release: http://hugin.info/130660/R/1650117/532111.pdf

This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Akzo Nobel NV via Thomson Reuters ONE

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