3月9日，全球領先的油漆和涂料企業、和專業化學品的主要生產商阿克蘇諾貝爾宣布公司正在審議拆分專業化學品業務的戰略選擇。

　　專業化學品業務在2016年的銷售額為48億歐元，該業務部門擁有廣泛的領先技術和化學品產品組合，服務于包括建筑，工業和消費品在內的各類終端用戶。通過拆分，專業化學品業務將繼續在各個細分市場上建立并加強其領先地位。

　　作為拆分工作的一部分，阿克蘇諾貝爾將考慮專業化學品業務的各種替代性股權結構方案，包括但不限于：建立一個獨立的上市實體。公司將在保證股東價值最大化的原則下，考慮各個利益相關方，以此確定最終方案。

　　在作出這一決定之前，阿克蘇諾貝爾已確定拒絕PPG工業集團的收購要約，這是一份就阿克蘇諾貝爾股本下已發行普通股做出的單方面的、非約束性、有條件的收購要約, 大大低估了阿克蘇諾貝爾的價值，并且不利于公司股東，客戶和員工等相關者的利益。

　　阿克蘇諾貝爾首席執行官唐博納(Ton Büchner)表示：

　　“我們的專業化學品業務在許多細分市場保持領先地位，公司對這塊業務所創造的歷史和成績, 以及為我們的員工深感自豪。我們正在審議將其拆分的戰略選擇，從而讓我們更加專注于專業化學品業務、裝飾漆業務和高性能涂料業務，進一步鞏固它們在各自市場的領導地位。

　　正如我們在今年2月公布的全年財報中所說，公司現在更精簡、更靈活，并建立了堅實的財務和運營基礎，專注于業務增長。近年來，阿克蘇諾貝爾在盈利方面屢創新高，并在戰略層面取得了重大的飛躍，也促成了我們做出這一決定。

　　因為近期發生的事件, 這一決定被我們提上議程。 PPG提供的單方面收購要約，大大低估了阿克蘇諾貝爾的價值，并蘊含重大的風險和不確定性。其收購方案不利于包括阿克蘇諾貝爾股東、客戶和員工在內所有相關方之利益，因而我們一致決定拒絕這一要約。 公司的董事會，高層團隊和成千上萬的員工和我一樣，堅信阿克蘇諾貝爾公司的潛力是無限的，有待我們自己去發掘。

　　我們堅守公司對社會的承諾，并將繼續在全球不同市場推動投資、進行研發創新, 推進可持續發展。”

　　阿克蘇諾貝爾公司確認，PPG工業集團對阿克蘇諾貝爾的全面股本公開做出了事先未經商議，非約束性且有前提條件的收購要約，收購阿克蘇諾貝爾每股對價為現金54.00歐元外加0.3股PPG工業股票 (相當于2017年2月28日每股價格為83.00歐元，含2016年股息)。

　　阿克蘇諾貝爾董事會、監事會與其財務和法律顧問已經共同審議并考慮了PPG的收購要約。在審議過程中，董事會、監事會也就阿克蘇諾貝爾包括股東在內的所有利益相關方的長期利益進行了討論。

　　董事會、監事會一致認為，PPG的收購建議大幅低估了阿克蘇諾貝爾公司的價值，未能反映出公司的長期增長和創造價值的潛力。董事會、監事會還得出結論，該要約的股權部分存有包括擬定組合的高杠桿風險的重大問題。他們還認為，該要約將給股東帶來重大可實現性以及時間方面的風險，具體包括反壟斷，退休金計劃, 以及擬定整合方案的可實現性等風險。

　　阿克蘇諾貝爾的董事會、監事會同時認為：該收購要約不利于公司客戶和員工等相關方, 并將對阿克蘇諾貝爾在社會經濟方面的努力帶來不利影響，其中包括影響 公司對全球長期以來對社區和研發做出的重大貢獻，和對可持續發展的長期承諾。該要約不符合阿克蘇諾貝爾員工的利益，并將給全球數千個工作崗位帶來潛在的不確定性。

　　最后, 在此問題上，阿克蘇諾貝爾沒有與PPG進行任何對話，也沒有提議、或接受任何對話。

　　此公告是阿克蘇諾貝爾公司根據“歐洲市場濫用法”(596/2014)第17節第1段發布的公告。 本公告并不構成阿克蘇諾貝爾公司就購買或認購任何證券而發出的要約或任何要約邀請。

中文譯稿僅供參考，所有內容均以英文稿為準

AkzoNobel reviewing strategic options to separate Specialty Chemicals

AkzoNobel rejects an unsolicited indicative proposal from PPG

　　AkzoNobel, one of the world’s leadingpaints, coatings and chemicals companies announces todaya review of strategic options for the separation of its Specialty Chemicals business.

　　The Specialty Chemicals business, which had revenues of €4.8 billion in 2016, is stronglypositioned with a broad portfolio of leading technologies and chemicals which service a wide rangeof end-user segments including construction, industrial and consumer goods. The separation willallow the Specialty Chemicals business to continue to build and accelerate its market-leadingpositions across a range of market segments.

　　As part of the separation, AkzoNobel will consider various alternative ownership structures for theSpecialty Chemicals business including, but not limited to, the establishment of an independentlisted entity. The ultimate structure will be determined by reference to shareholder valuemaximization as well as broader stakeholder considerations.

　　Today’s decision was brought forward following confirmation that AkzoNobel has rejected anunsolicited, non-binding and conditional proposal from PPG Industries Inc. for all of the issued andoutstanding ordinary shares in the capital of AkzoNobel. PPG’s proposal substantially undervaluesAkzoNobel and is not in the interest of its stakeholders, including its shareholders, customers andemployees.

　　Ton Büchner, CEO, AkzoNobel:

　　“Our Specialty Chemicals business is an industry leader in many of the markets in which itoperates and we are extremely proud of its heritage, performance and people. We are reviewingstrategic options to separate it from the company to create focus for both Specialty Chemicals andthe Decorative Paints and Performance Coatings group, allowing them to build further on theirrespective leadership positions.

　　“As stated at our full-year results announcement in February, we are now a leaner, more agilecompany with a solid financial and operational foundation and a focus on growth. AkzoNobel hasenjoyed a record performance in recent years in terms of profitability and has made significantstrategic progress, allowing us to take this decision.

　　“Our decision today was brought forward due to recent events. The unsolicited proposal wereceived from PPG substantially undervalues our company and contains serious risks anduncertainties. The proposal is not in the interest of AkzoNobel’s stakeholders, including itsshareholders, customers and employees, and we have unanimously rejected it. Along with mycolleagues on our Boards, our executive team and our thousands of employees, I firmly believethat AkzoNobel is best placed to unlock the value within our company ourselves.

　　“We understand our role in society and want to protect our ability to continue to invest incommunities, research and development, innovation and sustainability in the countries in which weoperate.”

　　AkzoNobel confirms it received an unsolicited, non-binding and conditional proposal from PPG fora public offer on all of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares in the capital of AkzoNobel at aprice of €54.00 in cash and 0.3 PPG shares per AkzoNobel share, corresponding to a value of€83.00 per share as per 28 February, 2017 (cum final dividend 2016).

　　The Board of Management and Supervisory Board of AkzoNobel have carefully reviewed andconsidered the proposal by PPG, together with their financial and legal advisors. In doing so, theBoards have taken into account the long-term interests of all AkzoNobel stakeholders, including theshareholders.

　　The Boards have unanimously concluded that the PPG proposal substantially undervaluesAkzoNobel by failing to reflect the long-term value creation potential of the company. The Boardshave also concluded that the equity component of the proposal has significant issues, including thehigh leverage of the proposed combination. They also believe the proposal carries significantdelivery and timing risk for shareholders, both in relation to substantial anti-trust issues, pensionschemes and the achievability of proposed synergies.

　　The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board of AkzoNobel also believe the proposal isnot in the interest of stakeholders including its customers and employees. The proposal would bedetrimental to the societies and economies in which AkzoNobel operates, including potentiallyjeopardizing the company’s major contribution to communities and research & developmentorganizations globally and its deep commitment to sustainability. The proposal is not in theinterests of AkzoNobel employees and would create potential uncertainty for thousands of jobsworldwide.

　　AkzoNobel did not initiate nor has it encouraged or entertained any conversations with PPG on thismatter.

　　This is a public announcement by AkzoNobel N.V. pursuant to section 17 paragraph 1 of theEuropean Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014). This public announcement does not constitute anoffer, or any solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities in AkzoNobel N.V.