Ecolab Announces Pricing of Senior Notes Offering

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ecolab Inc. announced today it has priced an underwritten public offering of $500 million of 1.450% senior notes due 2017. The offering is expected to close on December 13, 2012, subject to customary closing conditions.

Ecolab intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to finance a portion of the cash consideration to be paid in connection with its previously announced acquisition (the "Champion Merger") of Permian Mud Service, Inc., the parent company of Champion Technologies and Corsicana Technologies (collectively, "Champion"). If the Champion Merger is not consummated, Ecolab may use all or a portion of the net proceeds for general corporate purposes or, under certain circumstances, together with any additional funds, as necessary, to fund the special optional redemption of the notes. Ecolab and Champion are targeting and working toward closing the Champion Merger by the end of the year; however, the Champion Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including clearance under the Hart-Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the ‘‘HSR Act’’). Ecolab and Champion are in active and ongoing discussions with the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice regarding its review of our HSR filing relating to the Champion Merger. While Ecolab believes that it can resolve any issues in discussions with the Department of Justice, it can provide no assurance that the Champion Merger will be completed in the targeted time frame, or at all.

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and RBS Securities Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering. The offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), and only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, copies of which may be obtained on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by contacting Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated at [phone] or RBS Securities Inc. at [phone].

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

With 2011 pro forma sales of $11 billion and more than 40,000 employees, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene and energy technologies and services that provide and protect clean water, safe food, abundant energy and healthy environments. Ecolab delivers comprehensive programs and services to the food, energy, healthcare, industrial and hospitality markets in more than 160 countries.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This communication contains statements relating to future events and our intentions, beliefs, expectations and predictions for the future which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “we believe,” “we expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “may,” “will,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “target,” “forecast” (including the negative or variations thereof) or similar terminology used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions or events generally identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the targeted timing of completion of the Champion Merger. These statements are based on the current expectations of management of the company. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements included in these communications. These risks and uncertainties include (i) the risk that the regulatory approvals or clearances required for the Champion Merger, including under the HSR Act, may not be obtained, or that required regulatory approvals may delay the Champion Merger or result in the imposition of conditions that could have a material adverse effect on the company or cause the company to abandon the Champion Merger, (ii) the risk that the conditions to the closing of the Champion Merger may not be satisfied, (iii) the risk that a material adverse change, event or occurrence may affect the company or acquired companies prior to the closing of the Champion Merger and may delay the Champion Merger or cause the company to abandon the Champion Merger.

Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the company, the acquired companies and the combined business. For a further discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties applicable to the company, see the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the company’s subsequent reports filed with the SEC. In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors, the forward-looking events discussed in this communication may not occur. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this communication. The company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in expectations or otherwise, except as required by law.

(ECL-C)