Intervet to divest part of feed additives business

7 June 2005

Akzo Nobel Press Release

Intervet to divest part of feed additives business  

Arnhem, the Netherlands, June 7, 2005 – Akzo Nobel’s animal healthcare business, Intervet, has agreed to divest some of its feed additives activities to Bulgarian company Biovet®. Both parties have agreed not to disclose financial details.

Scheduled to be finalized on July 31, the agreement—which is subject to various corporate and governmental approvals—concerns the sale of Intervet’s Sacox®, Salocin®, Flavomycin®, Gainpro®, Hostazym® and Stenorol® products.

“These activities no longer fit in with our core business operations and have become distanced from Intervet’s portfolio from a strategic perspective,” explained Akzo Nobel Board Member Toon Wilderbeek.

Added Intervet President, Ruurd Stolp: “Biovet is a leading European manufacturer and marketer of medicated and nutritional feed additives and we expect that within their business focus, our product line will be better positioned to get the necessary support to ensure a successful and profitable future.”

Commenting on the deal, President of Biovet, Kiril Domuschiev, said that his company’s investment would open up exciting prospects for the future. “The distribution and registration rights, intellectual property, trademark and know-how of these sections of Intervet’s feed additive business provide compelling opportunities for our customers and our business. Intervet’s products will complement the Biovet portfolio and we are excited about the opportunities deriving from this investment.”

Internet: www.intervet.com; www.biovet.com
Our Safe Harbor Statement applies to this press release. 
 
Note for the editor
Intervet, a business unit of Akzo Nobel, based in Boxmeer, the Netherlands, with sales of EUR 1,024 million in 2004, is dedicated to research and development, production and marketing of innovative animal health products and feed additives. Intervet's product range for use in livestock, companion animals, poultry and fish includes vaccines, antiparasitics, anti-infectives, endocrine products, other pharmaceutical specialties and feed additives. Intervet operates globally with its own marketing organizations. The company currently employs around 5,000 people.
Internet: www.intervet.com

Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves customers throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Consolidated revenues for 2004 totaled EUR 12.9 billion. The Company currently employs some 61,000 people in more than 80 countries. The financial results for the second quarter will be published on July 20, 2005.  Internet: www.akzonobel.com

Not for publication – For more information:
Intervet International bv, Communications & Public Affairs, Contact: Sabine Schueller, tel. +31 485 587085
Akzo Nobel N.V., Corporate Media Relations, Contact: Patricia Janssen, tel. +31 26 366 4343
Biovet, Kiril Domuschiev, tel: +359 2 9733456