Toyota Motor Corporation and Akzo Nobel waterborne system

Sassenheim, the Netherlands, -- After extensive testing, Akzo Nobel has received confirmation from Toyota Motor Corporation Japan of the waterborne repair products meeting their specification.

With the ever increasing demands of customers for environmentally acceptable vehicles and vehicle refinishing solutions, Akzo Nobel has been working with Toyota Motor Corporation in the testing of its waterborne repair products. Sikkens Autowave basecoat and the unique waterborne Sikkens Autoclear WB have been subjected to extensive testing according to the Toyota repair standard. Akzo Nobel is pleased to have received confirmation from Toyota Motor Corporation Japan of the products meeting their specification.

With the rapid spread of environmental regulations across North America, and the industry agreements on VOC reduction in Japan and Korea, it is very timely to receive the information on the technical testing of these key products. According to Hiroshi Miyagawa, General Manager Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes Japan, "with the change to waterborne in the Japanese market and other parts of the globe, Akzo Nobel is very pleased to have met the technical specifications of Toyota Motor Corporation".

"Although we have over 7000 satisfied customers in Europe using Sikkens Autowave basecoat, the additional reference from Toyota is excellent for our roll out across the US and Canada," commented Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes North American Commercial Services Manager, Tim Loden.

"With the increasing importance of the environment for the Chinese government, as the Olympics approach, Toyota and Lexus are actively considering waterborne technology" according to David Townsend, Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes Marketing Manager China "and this news will greatly help

Akzo Nobel is a Fortune Global 500 company and is listed on both the Euronext Amsterdam and NASDAQ stock exchanges. It is also included on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes and FTSE4Good Index. Based in the Netherlands, we are a multicultural organization serving customers throughout the world with coatings, chemicals and human and animal healthcare products. We employ around 62,000 people and conduct our activities in these four segments, with operating subsidiaries in more than 80 countries. Consolidated revenues for 2006 totaled EUR 13.7 billion. The financial results for the second quarter will be published on July 24, 2007.

Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes is a world leader in coatings for car repair, commercial vehicles and automotive plastic coatings. In car repair, Akzo Nobel Car Refinishes offers Sikkens as the premium brand, synonymous with quality, innovation and the highest level of service to the bodyshop, as well as a number of brands for other segments of the car repair market, such as Lesonal and Dynacoat . For commercial vehicles it offers a complete approach with the dedicated Sikkens Autocoat BT brand. Automotive Plastic Coatings are offered under the Akzo Nobel brand.

Sikkens is one of the world's leaders in the car refinishes market. Through our state-of-the-art products, and through our extensive training, technical expertise and constant innovation, we help our customers in many different ways. The Sikkens brand is focused on one key aim: to help our partners to be successful in the car repair industry.

Source: Akzo Nobel