{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"109738","rtpr_id":"nGNX6XN3Q3","ticker":"AXTA","exchange":"NYSE","all_tickers":["AXTA"],"title":"Axalta Shareholders Approve Proposed Merger of Equals with AkzoNobel","author":"Globe Newswire","published_at":"2026-08-05T14:35:00.131Z","article_body":"PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.\n(NYSE: AXTA) today announced that its shareholders overwhelmingly voted to\napprove its previously announced all-stock merger of equals (the “Merger”)\nwith Akzo Nobel N.V. (“AkzoNobel”) at the Company’s Special General\nMeeting of Shareholders held earlier today.\n\nAkzoNobel also held its Extraordinary General Meeting today, where AkzoNobel\nshareholders voted to approve the Merger.\n\n“We appreciate the strong support we have received for our merger of equals\nwith AkzoNobel and we are excited about the opportunity to deliver significant\nvalue to shareholders, customers and employees,” said Chris Villavarayan,\nChief Executive Officer of Axalta. “Building on our record second quarter,\nwe are excited to embark on our next phase with real momentum in the business.\nOur teams are working diligently to advance integration planning and remain\nfocused on bringing together two highly complementary businesses to capture\nthe full value of this combination from day one.”\n\n“Today’s approval marks an important milestone toward creating a premier\nglobal coatings company,” said Rakesh Sachdev, Chair of the Axalta Board of\nDirectors. “The resounding support reaffirms our conviction that combining\nAxalta and AkzoNobel will create a differentiated industry leader with broad\ncapabilities, world-class innovation and an even stronger platform for growth\nand value creation. I look forward to working with our combined team to\ndeliver on the promise of this combination.”\n\nCompletion of the Merger remains subject to receipt of required regulatory\napprovals and other customary closing conditions. Subject to the satisfaction\nof these conditions, the companies continue to expect the Merger to be\ncompleted in late 2026 to early 2027.\n\nThe final voting results, as certified by an independent inspector of\nelection, will be filed as a Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and\nExchange Commission.\n\nAbout Axalta\nAxalta is a global leader in the coatings industry, providing customers with\ninnovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable coatings solutions. From light\nvehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors,\nbuilding facades and other industrial applications, our coatings are designed\nto prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enhance durability. With more\nthan 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the global team at\nAxalta continues to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in over\n140 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems\nand technology. For more information visit axalta.com\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=TBFlzQsF5hklmR7Jqh8wOa459F25MEdXZonff_LmzxLZoBcuArFLetvYE47UjuLUdbp2Kd0HvtbZKnABCsHmhSoe7zow4E6rCTotH7aC-PA=)\nand follow us on LinkedIn\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=qBKXI4l30MaLKRCHNwtIF7lyFaBFQEjxPkrWFJ6e0yMHEbFR_b9sFQPh8lbsTipwC--o8hGimK0KuGc_1SUZegMfwVJ-zI0YcRMB_r2ACAo=).\n\nGeneral restrictions\nThis communication is not for release, publication, or distribution, in whole\nor in part, in or into, directly or indirectly, any jurisdiction in which such\nrelease, publication, or distribution would be unlawful.\n\nThis communication is not a prospectus and the information in this\ncommunication is not intended to be complete. This communication is for\ninformational purposes only and is not intended to be and shall not constitute\nan offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any\nsecurities, or an invitation or recommendation to subscribe for, acquire or\nbuy securities of AkzoNobel or Axalta or any other financial products or\nsecurities, in any place or jurisdiction, nor shall there be any offer,\nsolicitation or sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer,\nsolicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification\nunder the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities\nshall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of\nSection 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities\nAct”).\n\nAny decision to purchase, subscribe for, otherwise acquire, sell or otherwise\ndispose of any securities must be made only on the basis of the information\ncontained in and incorporated by reference into the prospectus with respect to\nthe shares to be allotted by AkzoNobel in the proposed transaction, which was\npublished on June 24, 2026.\n\nThe distribution of this communication may, in some countries, be restricted\nby law or regulation. Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this\ndocument should inform themselves of and observe these restrictions. To the\nfullest extent permitted by applicable law, AkzoNobel and Axalta disclaim any\nresponsibility or liability for the violation of any such restrictions by any\nperson. Neither AkzoNobel, nor Axalta, nor any of their advisors assume any\nresponsibility for any violation by any person of any of these restrictions.\nShareholders of AkzoNobel and Axalta, respectively, with any doubt as to their\nposition should consult an appropriate professional advisor without delay.\n\nThis communication is addressed to and directed only at, persons who are\noutside the United Kingdom or, in the United Kingdom, at persons who are: (i)\npersons having professional experience in matters relating to investments\nfalling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000\n(Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”), (ii) persons falling\nwithin Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, or (iii) persons to whom it may\notherwise lawfully be communicated pursuant to the Order (all such persons\ntogether being referred to as, “Relevant Persons”). This communication is\ndirected only at Relevant Persons. Other persons should not act or rely on\nthis communication or any of its contents. Any investment or investment\nactivity to which this communication relates is available only to Relevant\nPersons and will be engaged in only with such persons. Solicitations resulting\nfrom this communication will only be responded to if the person concerned is a\nRelevant Person.\n\nAdditional Information and Where to Find It\nIn connection with the proposed transaction between AkzoNobel and Axalta,\nAkzoNobel filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the\n“SEC”) a registration statement on Form F-4 on May 27, 2026, as amended on\nJune 18, 2026, which included a proxy statement of Axalta that also\nconstitutes a prospectus with respect to the shares to be offered by AkzoNobel\nin the proposed transaction. The registration statement was declared effective\nby the SEC on June 23, 2026. In connection with the proposed transaction, on\nJune 24, 2026, Axalta filed with the SEC a definitive proxy statement and, on\nor about June 24, 2026, Axalta commenced mailing the definitive proxy\nstatement to its holders of record as of June 11, 2026. Each of AkzoNobel and\nAxalta will also file other relevant documents in connection with the proposed\ntransaction. This communication is not a substitute for any registration\nstatement, proxy statement/prospectus or other documents AkzoNobel and/or\nAxalta may file with the SEC or any other competent regulator in connection\nwith the proposed transaction. This communication does not contain all the\ninformation that should be considered concerning the proposed transaction and\nis not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other\ndecision in respect of the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY INVESTMENT\nDECISIONS, INVESTORS, STOCKHOLDERS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF AKZONOBEL AND AXALTA\nARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE PROXY\nSTATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AS APPLICABLE, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE\nFILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS\nTO THESE DOCUMENTS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WHEN THEY\nBECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT\nAKZONOBEL, AXALTA, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. The\nregistration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant\ndocuments filed by AkzoNobel and Axalta with the SEC are available free of\ncharge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and\nshareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy\nstatement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC from Axalta’s\ninvestor relations webpage at\nhttps://ir.axalta.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings or from AkzoNobel’s\ninvestor relations webpage at\nhttps://www.akzonobel.com/en/investors/all-sec-filings.\n\nThe contents of this communication should not be construed as financial,\nlegal, business, investment, tax or other professional advice. Each recipient\nshould consult with its own professional advisors for any such matter and\nadvice.\n\nCautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements\nThis communication contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined\nin Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities\nExchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform\nAct of 1995, regarding, among other things, statements about management’s\nexpectations of AkzoNobel’s and Axalta’s future operating and financial\nperformance, product development, market position, and business strategy. Such\nforward-looking statements can sometimes be identified by the use of\nforward-looking terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,”\n“will,” “shall,” “should,” “would,” “could,”\n“potential,” “seeks,” “aims,” “projects,” “predicts,”\n“is optimistic,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,”\n“targets,” “anticipates,” “continues” or other comparable terms or\nnegatives of these terms, but not all forward-looking statements include such\nidentifying words. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking\nstatements. Forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates\nand expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties and\nassumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize,\nor should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary\nmaterially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking\nstatements. We can give no assurance that such plans, estimates or\nexpectations will be achieved and therefore, actual results may differ\nmaterially from any plans, estimates or expectations in such forward-looking\nstatements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ\nmaterially from such plans, estimates or expectations include: a condition to\nthe closing of the proposed transaction may not be satisfied; the occurrence\nof any event that can give rise to termination of the proposed transaction; a\nregulatory approval that may be required for the proposed transaction is\ndelayed, is not obtained or is obtained subject to conditions that are not\nanticipated; AkzoNobel and Axalta are unable to achieve the synergies and\nvalue creation contemplated by the proposed transaction; AkzoNobel and Axalta\nare unable to promptly and effectively integrate their businesses;\nmanagement’s time and attention is diverted on transaction related issues;\nthe possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals may be made;\ndisruption from the proposed transaction makes it more difficult to maintain\nbusiness, contractual and operational relationships; the credit ratings of\nAkzoNobel or Axalta decline following the proposed transaction; legal\nproceedings are instituted against AkzoNobel or Axalta, including resulting\nexpense or delay; AkzoNobel or Axalta is unable to retain or hire key\npersonnel; the communication or the consummation of the proposed acquisition\nhas a negative effect on the market price of the capital stock of AkzoNobel or\nAxalta or on AkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s operating results; evolving legal,\nregulatory and tax regimes; changes in economic, financial, political and\nregulatory conditions, in the Netherlands, the United States and elsewhere,\nand other factors that contribute to uncertainty and volatility, natural and\nman-made disasters, civil unrest, pandemics (e.g., the coronavirus (COVID-19)\npandemic), geopolitical uncertainty, and conditions that may result from\nlegislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes associated with the current\nor subsequent United States or Netherlands administration; the ability of\nAkzoNobel or Axalta to successfully recover from a disaster or other business\ncontinuity problem due to a hurricane, flood, earthquake, terrorist attack,\nwar, pandemic, security breach, cyber-attack, power loss, telecommunications\nfailure or other natural or man-made event, including the ability to function\nremotely during long-term disruptions; the impact of public health crises,\nsuch as pandemics and epidemics and any related company or governmental\npolicies and actions to protect the health and safety of individuals or\ngovernmental policies or actions to maintain the functioning of national or\nglobal economies and markets, including any quarantine, “shelter in\nplace,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut\ndown or similar actions and policies; actions by third parties, including\ngovernment agencies; the risk that disruptions from the proposed transaction\nwill harm AkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s business, including current plans and\noperations and/or divert management’s attention from AkzoNobel’s or\nAxalta’s ongoing business operations; certain restrictions during the\npendency of the acquisition that may impact AkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s\nability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions;\nAkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s ability to meet expectations regarding the\naccounting and tax treatments of the proposed transaction; the risks and\nuncertainties discussed in AkzoNobel’s latest annual report as filed with\nthe AFM, the Dutch trade register and on its website at\nhttps://www.akzonobel.com/en/investors/results-center; and the risks and\nuncertainties discussed in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s\nDiscussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”\nsections in Axalta’s reports filed with the SEC. These risks, as well as\nother risks associated with the proposed transaction, are more fully discussed\nin the proxy statement/prospectus. Unlisted factors may present significant\nadditional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. We\ncaution you not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking\nstatements as they are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and\nthat actual performance and outcomes, including, without limitation, our\nactual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the\ndevelopment of new markets or market segments in which we operate, may differ\nmaterially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements\ncontained in this communication. Except as required by law, neither AkzoNobel\nnor Axalta assumes any obligation to update or revise the information\ncontained herein, which speaks only as of the date hereof.\n\n Axalta Coating Systems 1050 Constitution Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19112 axalta.com (https://www.axalta.com/corporate/en_US.html)  Investor Relations Contact Colleen Lubic +1 610-999-9407 colleen.lubic@axalta.com  Media Contact Patricia Morschel +1 302-290-3906 media-relations@axalta.com  \n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6be5adf5-f29a-4164-a51e-0676150ac909)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nGNX6XN3Q3","title":"Axalta Shareholders Approve Proposed Merger of Equals with AkzoNobel","author":"Globe Newswire","ticker":"AXTA","created":"2026-08-05T14:35:00.131Z","tickers":["AXTA"],"exchange":"NYSE","article_body":"PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.\n(NYSE: AXTA) today announced that its shareholders overwhelmingly voted to\napprove its previously announced all-stock merger of equals (the “Merger”)\nwith Akzo Nobel N.V. (“AkzoNobel”) at the Company’s Special General\nMeeting of Shareholders held earlier today.\n\nAkzoNobel also held its Extraordinary General Meeting today, where AkzoNobel\nshareholders voted to approve the Merger.\n\n“We appreciate the strong support we have received for our merger of equals\nwith AkzoNobel and we are excited about the opportunity to deliver significant\nvalue to shareholders, customers and employees,” said Chris Villavarayan,\nChief Executive Officer of Axalta. “Building on our record second quarter,\nwe are excited to embark on our next phase with real momentum in the business.\nOur teams are working diligently to advance integration planning and remain\nfocused on bringing together two highly complementary businesses to capture\nthe full value of this combination from day one.”\n\n“Today’s approval marks an important milestone toward creating a premier\nglobal coatings company,” said Rakesh Sachdev, Chair of the Axalta Board of\nDirectors. “The resounding support reaffirms our conviction that combining\nAxalta and AkzoNobel will create a differentiated industry leader with broad\ncapabilities, world-class innovation and an even stronger platform for growth\nand value creation. I look forward to working with our combined team to\ndeliver on the promise of this combination.”\n\nCompletion of the Merger remains subject to receipt of required regulatory\napprovals and other customary closing conditions. Subject to the satisfaction\nof these conditions, the companies continue to expect the Merger to be\ncompleted in late 2026 to early 2027.\n\nThe final voting results, as certified by an independent inspector of\nelection, will be filed as a Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and\nExchange Commission.\n\nAbout Axalta\nAxalta is a global leader in the coatings industry, providing customers with\ninnovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable coatings solutions. From light\nvehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors,\nbuilding facades and other industrial applications, our coatings are designed\nto prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enhance durability. With more\nthan 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the global team at\nAxalta continues to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in over\n140 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems\nand technology. For more information visit axalta.com\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=TBFlzQsF5hklmR7Jqh8wOa459F25MEdXZonff_LmzxLZoBcuArFLetvYE47UjuLUdbp2Kd0HvtbZKnABCsHmhSoe7zow4E6rCTotH7aC-PA=)\nand follow us on LinkedIn\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=qBKXI4l30MaLKRCHNwtIF7lyFaBFQEjxPkrWFJ6e0yMHEbFR_b9sFQPh8lbsTipwC--o8hGimK0KuGc_1SUZegMfwVJ-zI0YcRMB_r2ACAo=).\n\nGeneral restrictions\nThis communication is not for release, publication, or distribution, in whole\nor in part, in or into, directly or indirectly, any jurisdiction in which such\nrelease, publication, or distribution would be unlawful.\n\nThis communication is not a prospectus and the information in this\ncommunication is not intended to be complete. This communication is for\ninformational purposes only and is not intended to be and shall not constitute\nan offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any\nsecurities, or an invitation or recommendation to subscribe for, acquire or\nbuy securities of AkzoNobel or Axalta or any other financial products or\nsecurities, in any place or jurisdiction, nor shall there be any offer,\nsolicitation or sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer,\nsolicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification\nunder the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities\nshall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of\nSection 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities\nAct”).\n\nAny decision to purchase, subscribe for, otherwise acquire, sell or otherwise\ndispose of any securities must be made only on the basis of the information\ncontained in and incorporated by reference into the prospectus with respect to\nthe shares to be allotted by AkzoNobel in the proposed transaction, which was\npublished on June 24, 2026.\n\nThe distribution of this communication may, in some countries, be restricted\nby law or regulation. Accordingly, persons who come into possession of this\ndocument should inform themselves of and observe these restrictions. To the\nfullest extent permitted by applicable law, AkzoNobel and Axalta disclaim any\nresponsibility or liability for the violation of any such restrictions by any\nperson. Neither AkzoNobel, nor Axalta, nor any of their advisors assume any\nresponsibility for any violation by any person of any of these restrictions.\nShareholders of AkzoNobel and Axalta, respectively, with any doubt as to their\nposition should consult an appropriate professional advisor without delay.\n\nThis communication is addressed to and directed only at, persons who are\noutside the United Kingdom or, in the United Kingdom, at persons who are: (i)\npersons having professional experience in matters relating to investments\nfalling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000\n(Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”), (ii) persons falling\nwithin Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, or (iii) persons to whom it may\notherwise lawfully be communicated pursuant to the Order (all such persons\ntogether being referred to as, “Relevant Persons”). This communication is\ndirected only at Relevant Persons. Other persons should not act or rely on\nthis communication or any of its contents. Any investment or investment\nactivity to which this communication relates is available only to Relevant\nPersons and will be engaged in only with such persons. Solicitations resulting\nfrom this communication will only be responded to if the person concerned is a\nRelevant Person.\n\nAdditional Information and Where to Find It\nIn connection with the proposed transaction between AkzoNobel and Axalta,\nAkzoNobel filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the\n“SEC”) a registration statement on Form F-4 on May 27, 2026, as amended on\nJune 18, 2026, which included a proxy statement of Axalta that also\nconstitutes a prospectus with respect to the shares to be offered by AkzoNobel\nin the proposed transaction. The registration statement was declared effective\nby the SEC on June 23, 2026. In connection with the proposed transaction, on\nJune 24, 2026, Axalta filed with the SEC a definitive proxy statement and, on\nor about June 24, 2026, Axalta commenced mailing the definitive proxy\nstatement to its holders of record as of June 11, 2026. Each of AkzoNobel and\nAxalta will also file other relevant documents in connection with the proposed\ntransaction. This communication is not a substitute for any registration\nstatement, proxy statement/prospectus or other documents AkzoNobel and/or\nAxalta may file with the SEC or any other competent regulator in connection\nwith the proposed transaction. This communication does not contain all the\ninformation that should be considered concerning the proposed transaction and\nis not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other\ndecision in respect of the proposed transaction. BEFORE MAKING ANY INVESTMENT\nDECISIONS, INVESTORS, STOCKHOLDERS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF AKZONOBEL AND AXALTA\nARE URGED TO READ CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY THE PROXY\nSTATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AS APPLICABLE, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT ARE\nFILED OR WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS\nTO THESE DOCUMENTS, IN CONNECTION WITH THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WHEN THEY\nBECOME AVAILABLE, AS THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT\nAKZONOBEL, AXALTA, THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. The\nregistration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant\ndocuments filed by AkzoNobel and Axalta with the SEC are available free of\ncharge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and\nshareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy\nstatement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC from Axalta’s\ninvestor relations webpage at\nhttps://ir.axalta.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings or from AkzoNobel’s\ninvestor relations webpage at\nhttps://www.akzonobel.com/en/investors/all-sec-filings.\n\nThe contents of this communication should not be construed as financial,\nlegal, business, investment, tax or other professional advice. Each recipient\nshould consult with its own professional advisors for any such matter and\nadvice.\n\nCautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements\nThis communication contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined\nin Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities\nExchange Act of 1934, as amended by the Private Securities Litigation Reform\nAct of 1995, regarding, among other things, statements about management’s\nexpectations of AkzoNobel’s and Axalta’s future operating and financial\nperformance, product development, market position, and business strategy. Such\nforward-looking statements can sometimes be identified by the use of\nforward-looking terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,”\n“will,” “shall,” “should,” “would,” “could,”\n“potential,” “seeks,” “aims,” “projects,” “predicts,”\n“is optimistic,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,”\n“targets,” “anticipates,” “continues” or other comparable terms or\nnegatives of these terms, but not all forward-looking statements include such\nidentifying words. You are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking\nstatements. Forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates\nand expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties and\nassumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize,\nor should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary\nmaterially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking\nstatements. We can give no assurance that such plans, estimates or\nexpectations will be achieved and therefore, actual results may differ\nmaterially from any plans, estimates or expectations in such forward-looking\nstatements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ\nmaterially from such plans, estimates or expectations include: a condition to\nthe closing of the proposed transaction may not be satisfied; the occurrence\nof any event that can give rise to termination of the proposed transaction; a\nregulatory approval that may be required for the proposed transaction is\ndelayed, is not obtained or is obtained subject to conditions that are not\nanticipated; AkzoNobel and Axalta are unable to achieve the synergies and\nvalue creation contemplated by the proposed transaction; AkzoNobel and Axalta\nare unable to promptly and effectively integrate their businesses;\nmanagement’s time and attention is diverted on transaction related issues;\nthe possibility that competing offers or acquisition proposals may be made;\ndisruption from the proposed transaction makes it more difficult to maintain\nbusiness, contractual and operational relationships; the credit ratings of\nAkzoNobel or Axalta decline following the proposed transaction; legal\nproceedings are instituted against AkzoNobel or Axalta, including resulting\nexpense or delay; AkzoNobel or Axalta is unable to retain or hire key\npersonnel; the communication or the consummation of the proposed acquisition\nhas a negative effect on the market price of the capital stock of AkzoNobel or\nAxalta or on AkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s operating results; evolving legal,\nregulatory and tax regimes; changes in economic, financial, political and\nregulatory conditions, in the Netherlands, the United States and elsewhere,\nand other factors that contribute to uncertainty and volatility, natural and\nman-made disasters, civil unrest, pandemics (e.g., the coronavirus (COVID-19)\npandemic), geopolitical uncertainty, and conditions that may result from\nlegislative, regulatory, trade and policy changes associated with the current\nor subsequent United States or Netherlands administration; the ability of\nAkzoNobel or Axalta to successfully recover from a disaster or other business\ncontinuity problem due to a hurricane, flood, earthquake, terrorist attack,\nwar, pandemic, security breach, cyber-attack, power loss, telecommunications\nfailure or other natural or man-made event, including the ability to function\nremotely during long-term disruptions; the impact of public health crises,\nsuch as pandemics and epidemics and any related company or governmental\npolicies and actions to protect the health and safety of individuals or\ngovernmental policies or actions to maintain the functioning of national or\nglobal economies and markets, including any quarantine, “shelter in\nplace,” “stay at home,” workforce reduction, social distancing, shut\ndown or similar actions and policies; actions by third parties, including\ngovernment agencies; the risk that disruptions from the proposed transaction\nwill harm AkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s business, including current plans and\noperations and/or divert management’s attention from AkzoNobel’s or\nAxalta’s ongoing business operations; certain restrictions during the\npendency of the acquisition that may impact AkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s\nability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions;\nAkzoNobel’s or Axalta’s ability to meet expectations regarding the\naccounting and tax treatments of the proposed transaction; the risks and\nuncertainties discussed in AkzoNobel’s latest annual report as filed with\nthe AFM, the Dutch trade register and on its website at\nhttps://www.akzonobel.com/en/investors/results-center; and the risks and\nuncertainties discussed in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s\nDiscussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”\nsections in Axalta’s reports filed with the SEC. These risks, as well as\nother risks associated with the proposed transaction, are more fully discussed\nin the proxy statement/prospectus. Unlisted factors may present significant\nadditional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. We\ncaution you not to place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking\nstatements as they are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and\nthat actual performance and outcomes, including, without limitation, our\nactual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the\ndevelopment of new markets or market segments in which we operate, may differ\nmaterially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements\ncontained in this communication. Except as required by law, neither AkzoNobel\nnor Axalta assumes any obligation to update or revise the information\ncontained herein, which speaks only as of the date hereof.\n\n Axalta Coating Systems 1050 Constitution Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19112 axalta.com (https://www.axalta.com/corporate/en_US.html)  Investor Relations Contact Colleen Lubic +1 610-999-9407 colleen.lubic@axalta.com  Media Contact Patricia Morschel +1 302-290-3906 media-relations@axalta.com  \n\n(https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6be5adf5-f29a-4164-a51e-0676150ac909)\n\n\n\nGlobeNewswire, Inc. 2026"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-08-05T14:35:00.173696177Z","server_sent_at_ms":1785940500173},"received_at":"2026-08-05T14:35:00.280Z","source_url":"https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/08/05/3339479/0/en/axalta-shareholders-approve-proposed-merger-of-equals-with-akzonobel.html"},"analysis":{"id":"98745","press_release_id":"109738","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Chemicals","sector":"Materials"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"m_and_a","narrative":"Axalta shareholders voted to approve the all-stock merger of equals with AkzoNobel, following a similar approval from AkzoNobel shareholders at their respective meetings.\n\n        The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, with the companies expecting completion in late 2026 to early 2027.\n\n        CEO Chris Villavarayan highlighted the strong shareholder support and noted the company is proceeding with integration planning and real business momentum from a record second quarter.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":true,"suggestedAngle":"Major hurdle cleared: Axalta and AkzoNobel shareholders approve merger of equals."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"countries":"over 140","customers":"over 100,000","expected_close":"late 2026 to early 2027","years_experience":"more than 150"}},"quotedText":"We appreciate the strong support we have received for our merger of equals with AkzoNobel and we are excited about the opportunity to deliver significant value to shareholders, customers and employees","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Chris Villavarayan","role":"Chief Executive Officer"},{"name":"Rakesh Sachdev","role":"Chair of the Board of Directors"},{"name":"Colleen Lubic","role":"Investor Relations Contact"},{"name":"Patricia Morschel","role":"Media Contact"}],"products":[],"companies":[{"name":"Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.","ticker":"AXTA"},{"name":"Akzo Nobel N.V.","relationship":"merger partner"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":5,"reasoning":"Shareholder approval of a transformative 'merger of equals' with AkzoNobel removes significant execution risk. 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