Arnhem, the Netherlands – Akzo Nobel, the multinational pharmaceutical, coatings and chemicals company, has been selected as a member of the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, World and Stoxx. Launched in 1999, the DJSI are the first global indexes tracking the financial performances of the leading sustainability-driven companies worldwide.
Commenting on the company’s DJSI World membership, CEO Hans Wijers said: “We are proud to be there. Akzo Nobel has initiated a process to create an organization geared to meeting the demands of the future. We are convinced that doing business in a sustainable manner, is key to our economic success now and in the future. Social responsibility is an integral part of our growth strategy and a cornerstone of our decision-making process”. He added: “With this listing, Akzo Nobel is being acknowledged as a leader in the area of social responsibility. It is also a big compliment to our 62,000 employees across the globe, because through their hard work we are continually improving our sustainability performance.”
DJSI World covers the top 10 per cent of the world’s biggest companies in terms of economic, environmental and social criteria. The analysis is based on an annual assessment of general and industry specific sustainability criteria undertaken by the SAM Group. The indexes provide asset managers with reliable and independent benchmarks to manage sustainability portfolios.
The DJSI World includes more than 300 companies in 58 industry groups across the world. The chemical sector this year covers 87 companies, of which the best ten–including Akzo Nobel–are selected.
Akzo Nobel’s 2004 Corporate Social Responsibility Report–entitled The Path Ahead–can be found at www.azkonobel.com. For further information about the DJSI, including a full list of member companies and a guide to the assessment and selection process, please visit www.sustainability-indexes.com.
Safe Harbor Statement*
This press release may contain statements which address such key issues as Akzo Nobel’s growth strategy, future financial results, market positions, product development, pharmaceutical products in the pipeline, and product approvals. Such statements, including but not limited to the “Outlook”, should be carefully considered and it should be understood that many factors could cause forecasted and actual results to differ from these statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, price fluctuations, currency fluctuations, developments in raw material and personnel costs, pensions, physical and environmental risks, legal issues, and legislative, fiscal, and other regulatory measures. These factors also include changes in regulations or interpretations related to the implementation and reporting under IFRS, decisions to apply a different option of presentation permitted by IFRS, and various other factors related to the implementation of IFRS, including the implementation of IAS 32 and 39 for financial instruments. Stated competitive positions are based on management estimates supported by information provided by specialized external agencies. For a more complete discussion of the risk factors affecting our business please refer to our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, a copy of which can be found on the Company’s website www.akzonobel.com.
* Pursuant to the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act 1995.
