Nalco Reaches Agreement to Sell Marine Chemicals Business to Wilhelmsen Ships Service


NAPERVILLE, Ill., Jan. 6, 2011 - Nalco (NYSE: NLC), providing essential expertise for water, energy and air, announced today it reached a definitive agreement to sell its NALFLEET marine chemicals unit to Norway's Wilhelmsen Ships Service for $41 million.

"The marine chemicals business is not a core part of our industrial water and process treatment businesses," said Nalco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer J. Erik Fyrwald. "NALFLEET, as a part of Wilhelmsen Ships Service, joins the world's largest maritime services network and will have greater access to global shipping customers and market growth opportunities. At the same time this sale allows Nalco to sharpen our focus on markets in which we have clear leadership positions with the best opportunities for success."

Nalco will be transferring certain assets relating to NALFLEET to Wilhelmsen Ships Service, but supply chain-related assets are not included. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter.

About Nalco

Nalco is the world's largest sustainability services company focused on industrial water, energy and air applications; delivering significant environmental, social and economic performance benefits to our customers. We help our customers reduce energy, water and other natural resource consumption, enhance air quality, minimize environmental releases and improve productivity and end products while boosting the bottom line. Together our comprehensive solutions contribute to the sustainable development of customer operations. Nalco is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. More than 11,500 Nalco employees operate in 150 countries supported by a comprehensive network of manufacturing facilities, sales offices and research centers to serve a broad range of end markets. In 2009, Nalco achieved sales of more than $3.7 billion. For more information visit www.nalco.com.

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CONTACT:Media,Charlie Pajor,+1-630-305-1556,cpajor@nalco.com,orInvestors,Lisa Curran,+1-630-305-1475,llcurran@nalco.com,both of Nalco

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