AkzoNobel's Car Refinishes business has today been announced as the
official supplier of paint solutions to the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
Formula 1 team.

The company has developed a high performance Sikkens® paint system
which will be used by Heikki Kovalainen and reigning champion Lewis
Hamilton as the team prepares to defend its 2008 World Driver's
title.

Unveiled today at McLaren's Technology Center in Woking in the UK,
the new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 has been finished with a
sophisticated, state-of-the art system of Sikkens products
tailor-made by AkzoNobel Car Refinishes to meet the unique technical
demands of grand prix racing.

"We are delighted to welcome a renowned company such as AkzoNobel
into our world-class partner portfolio," said Ron Dennis, Chairman
and CEO of McLaren Group. "We know that Formula 1 as a sport has a
high visual impact and attracts millions of viewers around the globe.
Since 2006, the unique chrome finish has become our distinctive
racing livery, providing us with 14 grand prix victories. We
therefore look forward to a long and successful partnership with
them."

Added AkzoNobel CEO Hans Wijers: "Our coatings expertise is geared
towards providing our partners with custom-made technical or
performance solutions. This business partnership between two
world-class performers is a perfect example of our commitment to
continued innovation and I'm convinced that together we will prove to
be a winning team."

Stringent technical requirements needed to be met before the
partnership could be approved, but AkzoNobel shone through. A winning
combination of VOC compliant systems and specialty products helps to
optimize the performance, while at the same time producing the
striking, all-important chrome finish of the MP4-24.

As well as producing a highly distinctive high chrome finish, the new
Sikkens system has also halved the time required to cure the new
bodywork parts, vitally speeding up the paint application process.

"Pushing technological boundaries is a key part of our product
development and we're delighted to have provided Vodafone McLaren
Mercedes with a superior system which matches their need for
performance, speed and precision," commented Jim Rees, General
Manager of AkzoNobel Car Refinishes.

Martin Whitmarsh, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes CEO Formula 1 added:
"Working with AkzoNobel we have developed the technical ability to
apply specialist coatings to composite materials and various
substrates, tackling lighter and more environmentally-friendly
products.
"We have already achieved some significant results in this field by
reducing the average curing time of bodywork parts by more than half
and lowering the paint shop's carbon footprint by up to 80 per cent.
We will continue working with AkzoNobel Car Refinishes on further
innovations as we investigate coating possibilities for both the cars
we use now and the ones we plan to use in the future."

The youngest ever champion in Formula 1 history, Lewis Hamilton will
begin the defense of his title in the new Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
MP4-24 coated with the Sikkens system in Australia on March 29.

----

Note to editors

Copyright free imagery of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-24 is
available for download at
http://www.mclaren.com/mediaroom/2009-launch.php.


AkzoNobel is proud to be one of the world's leading industrial
companies. Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we make and supply a
wide range of paints, coatings and specialty chemicals - pro forma
2007 revenue totaled ?14.4 billion. In fact, we are the largest
global paints and coatings company. As a major producer of specialty
chemicals we supply industries worldwide with quality ingredients for
life's essentials. We think about the future, but act in the present.
We're passionate about introducing new ideas and developing
sustainable answers for our customers. That's why our 60,000
employees - who are based in more than 80 countries - are committed
to excellence and delivering Tomorrow's Answers Today(TM).

Not for publication - for more information
Akzo Nobel nv
Corporate Media Relations, tel. +31 20 502 7833
Contact: Tim van der Zanden


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