Henkel has signed exclusivity agreement with Akzo Nobel

Enhancement of global market position planned

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merger, acquisition and takeover/Henkel

Düsseldorf (euro adhoc) - Düsseldorf, July 30, 2007

Henkel has signed an exclusivity agreement with Akzo Nobel. At the
same time Henkel and Akzo Nobel have negotiated an agreement
about a back-to-back transaction, the signing of which is still
pending. Under the terms of such agreement Henkel would buy the
adhesives and electronic materials businesses of National Starch, a
subsidiary company of ICI, in the case of a takeover of ICI by Akzo
Nobel. If however a formal offer will be made by Akzo Nobel or
a successful takeover of ICI by Akzo Nobel will be realized
respectively, is presently still open.

Ulrich Lehner, Chairman of the Management Board of Henkel,
comments on the planned acquisition: "The acquisition would be a
very good opportunity for us to further strengthen our
Adhesives Technologies business sector. The businesses we want
to acquire are high-growth operations and would enjoy
exceptional geographical and technological complementarity with
Henkel's existing portfolio. I am confident that, with this
acquisition, we would be able to realize significant synergies
and create substantial value for our shareholders. If however
such an acquisition, which is subject to the takeover of ICI by
Akzo Nobel, will be realized, cannot be forecast at this moment."

Düsseldorf - Henkel KGaA and Akzo Nobel N.V., Arnhem, The
Netherlands, have signed an exclusivity agreement on July 26, 2007.
At the same time Henkel and Akzo Nobel have negotiated an
agreement about a back-to-back transaction, the signing of which
is still pending. This agreement allows Henkel to acquire the
adhesives and electronic materials businesses of and Chemical
Company, Bridgewater, N.J., USA, a subsidiary company of ICI, in
the case that Akzo Nobel can acquire ICI. It is intended -
subject to approval by the Henkel Shareholders' Committee - to
execute the back-to-back agreement immediately prior to the
formal announcement of an offer by Akzo Nobel for ICI. The
businesses to be acquired from National Starch realized sales of
about 1.26 billion GBP (about 1.85 billion euros) in 2006.

Complementary businesses The businesses of Henkel and the businesses
to be acquired from National Starch would be highly complementary
with respect to market segments. Within adhesives, National
Starch holds very strong positions in non-wovens and athletic
footwear, while Henkel is particularly strong in the automotive
and aerospace industries. With regard to electronic materials,
comprising adhesives for the semiconductor and electronics industry,
the combined businesses would be of a size that would allow Henkel
to serve the different submarkets more efficiently. In addition,
the new businesses would further provide Henkel with additional
technological capabilities in attractive application areas where
Henkel so far has been active only to a limited extent. These include
adhesives for various medical applications and pressure-sensitive
adhesives. The two businesses would also enjoy complementary
geographic fit. With the businesses to be acquired from National
Starch, Henkel could significantly strengthen its Asian business
and in some countries of this region, such as Japan, would
achieve market entry. The transaction would also enhance Henkel's
presence in other fast growing markets such as Eastern Europe and
Latin America.

Closing of such a back-to-back agreement is conditional upon a
successful takeover of ICI by Akzo Nobel. If however Akzo Nobel will
make a formal offer and if this will then be successfully
concluded, is uncertain.

For more than 130 years, Henkel has been a leader with brands and
technologies that make people's lives easier, better and more
beautiful. Henkel operates in three business areas - Home Care,
Personal Care, and Adhesives Technologies - and ranks among the
Fortune Global 500 companies. In fiscal 2006, Henkel generated
sales of 12.740 billion euros and operating profit of 1,298
million euros. Our 52,000 employees worldwide are dedicated to
fulfilling our corporate claim, "A Brand like a Friend," and
ensuring that people in more than 125 countries can trust in
brands and technologies from Henkel.

This document contains forward-looking statements which are
based on the current estimates and assumptions made by the
corporate management of Henkel KGaA. Forward-looking statements
are characterized by the use of words such as expect, intend, plan,
predict, assume, believe, estimate, anticipate, etc. Such statements
are not to be understood as in any way guaranteeing that those
expectations will turn out to be accurate. Future performance and
the results actually achieved by Henkel KGaA and its affiliated
companies depend on a number of risks and uncertainties and may
therefore differ materially from the forward-looking statements.
Many of these factors are outside Henkel's control and cannot be
accurately estimated in advance, such as the future economic
environment and the actions of competitors and others
involved in the marketplace. Henkel neither plans nor undertakes
to update any forward-looking statements.

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end of announcement euro adhoc 30.07.2007 08:04:07
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ots Originaltext: Henkel KGaA
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Further inquiry note:
Contact:
Henkel Corporate Communications

Lars Witteck Wulf Klüppelholz
Phone: +49-211-797-2606 Phone: +49-211-797-1875
Fax: +49-211-798-9208 Fax: +49-211-798-9208

press@henkel.com

http://henkel.com./press

Branche: Consumer Goods
ISIN: DE0006048408
WKN: 604840
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