1  DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

1.1   Definitions

2  THE MERGER

2.1   The Merger

2.2   The Effective Time

2.3   Pre-Completion Distribution

2.4   Completion

2.5   Branding of MergeCo

3  MERGER CONDITIONS

3.1   Merger Conditions

3.2   Beneficiary of Conditions; Waiver

3.3   Regulatory Clearances

3.4   Other regulatory approvals

3.5   Commitments in respect of Regulatory Clearances

3.6   Employee Consultation

3.7   NYSE listing

3.8   Reasonable Best Efforts

4  EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS

4.1   Convocation of the AkzoNobel EGM

4.2   AkzoNobel Resolutions

4.3   AkzoNobel EGM Materials

4.4   AkzoNobel Recommendation

4.5   AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change

4.6   AkzoNobel Intervening Event

4.7   Other matters in respect of the AkzoNobel EGM

4.8   Convocation of the Axalta EGM

4.9   Axalta Resolutions

4.10   Axalta EGM Materials

4.11   Axalta Recommendation

4.12   Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change

4.13   Axalta Intervening Event

4.14   Other matters in respect of the Axalta EGM

4.15   Certain Filings; SEC and AFM Matters

4.16   Fairness Opinions

5  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AKZONOBEL

6  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AXALTA

7  POST-MERGER CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

7.1   MergeCo Governance

7.2   MergeCo Board Composition

7.3   MergeCo Tax residency

8  DELISTING FROM EURONEXT AMSTERDAM

9  INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

9.1   Indemnification

9.2   Insurance

9.3   Third-Party Beneficiaries

10  DEBT FINANCING AND REFINANCING

10.1   Debt Financing

10.2   Refinancing

10.3   Debt Financing and Refinancing Cooperation

10.4   Cost Allocation

11  EQUITY PLANS

11.1   Axalta Equity Plans

11.2   AkzoNobel Equity Plans

11.3   Post-Completion Equity Plans

11.4   Tax

12  INTERIM PERIOD AND FURTHER UNDERTAKINGS

12.1   Conduct during Interim Period

12.2   Third party consents

12.3   Merger Planning

12.4   MergeCo Remuneration Policy

13  EXCLUSIVITY

13.1   Exclusivity

14  SUPERIOR PROPOSAL

14.1   Superior Proposal

15  TERMINATION

15.1   Termination by AkzoNobel or Axalta

15.2   Consequence of Termination

16  TERMINATION PAYMENT

16.1   Termination Payment AkzoNobel

16.2   Termination Payment Axalta

16.3   Payment of Termination Payment

16.4   Tax

16.5   Specific Performance and Related Provisions

17  CONFIDENTIALITY AND PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

17.1   Announcement, Filings and Other Public Statements

17.2   Confidentiality Agreement

18  TAX MATTERS

18.1   Withholding

18.2   U.S. Tax Matters

18.3   Pillar 2 and CAMT

19  EMPLOYEE MATTERS

20  MISCELLANEOUS

20.1   Assignment

20.2   Costs

20.3   No waiver

20.4   No recission

20.5   Further assurances

20.6   Invalidity

20.7   Third party rights

20.8   Entire agreement and amendment

20.9   Notices

20.10  Counterparts

20.11  Governing law and forum

20.12  Rules of Construction

Akzo Nobel N.V. (“AkzoNobel”);

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. (“Axalta”),

AkzoNobel, a public company with limited liability (naamloze vennootschap) incorporated under the laws of the Netherlands, is a global paints and coatings company with its corporate seat and headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and a listing on Euronext Amsterdam.

Axalta, an exempted company incorporated under the laws of Bermuda, is a global coatings company with its headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the United States, and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”).

AkzoNobel and Axalta have entered into a confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement dated 30 August 2024 and a clean team agreement dated 11 October 2024 (together, as amended, the “Confidentiality Agreement”) to discuss a potential combination of their respective businesses.

AkzoNobel and Axalta now have agreed to combine, via a merger of equals, the respective businesses of AkzoNobel and Axalta under a single listed parent company. AkzoNobel will serve as a vehicle hereto (AkzoNobel, upon the completion of the Merger, “MergeCo”), which will have dual headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the United States, its corporate seat in the Netherlands, its Tax residency in the Netherlands and its ordinary shares listed on the NYSE. AkzoNobel and Axalta intend to effect the combination of their respective businesses through a merger (the “Merger”) under the laws of Bermuda between Axalta and a wholly-owned subsidiary of AkzoNobel to be incorporated as an exempted company under the laws of Bermuda (“AkzoNobel Sub”), on the terms and subject to the conditions in this Agreement.

Prior to completion of the Merger, AkzoNobel will declare and pay the Pre-Completion Distribution.

Following completion of the Merger, subject to the terms of this Agreement and based on the outstanding share capital of AkzoNobel and the issued share capital of Axalta as of the date of this Agreement, respectively, MergeCo will have a single class of ordinary shares and, without prejudice to the Exchange Ratio, the existing Axalta shareholders are expected to hold approximately forty-five per cent (45%) of the issued and outstanding shares in MergeCo and the existing AkzoNobel shareholders are expected to hold approximately fifty-five per cent (55%) of the issued and outstanding shares in MergeCo.

The board of directors of Axalta (the “Axalta Board”) unanimously approved this Agreement, determined that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, are in the best interest of Axalta and its shareholders, determined that the AkzoNobel Share Consideration constitutes fair value in accordance with the Companies Act and recommends the shareholders of Axalta adopt the Axalta Resolutions subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.

The board of management of AkzoNobel (the “AkzoNobel Board of Management”) and the supervisory board of AkzoNobel (the “AkzoNobel Supervisory Board”, and together with the AkzoNobel Board of Management, the “AkzoNobel Boards”) each unanimously approved this Agreement, determined that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, are in the best interest of AkzoNobel and its business, promoting the sustainable success and the sustainable long-term value creation of its business, taking into account the interests of its stakeholders, including the AkzoNobel shareholders and its employees, and recommend the shareholders of AkzoNobel adopt the AkzoNobel Resolutions subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement.

Stichting Akzo Nobel has executed a support agreement (attached to this Agreement as Schedule 2 (Stichting Support Agreement), the “Stichting Support Agreement”), pursuant to which, among other things, Stichting Akzo Nobel irrevocably agreed to (a) approve the proposal of the AkzoNobel Board of Management to amend AkzoNobel’s articles of association in accordance with the MergeCo Articles of Association, including the conversion of all AkzoNobel Priority Shares into AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares (such AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares, the “Stichting Converted Shares”), (b) vote all AkzoNobel Priority Shares in favour of the AkzoNobel Resolutions and against any resolution or other vote (stemming) that would, or would reasonably be expected to, delay, prevent, condition or impede, in whole or in part, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, (c) waive its rights to make binding nominations in respect of the MergeCo Board Nominees, (d) transfer the Stichting Converted Shares to AkzoNobel for no consideration with effect immediately after the implementation of the MergeCo Articles of Association, and (e) waive and relinquish any rights Stichting Akzo Nobel may have with respect to AkzoNobel Priority Shares and AkzoNobel.

The terms and conditions and the mutual understanding of AkzoNobel and Axalta with respect to the Merger are set out in this merger agreement (this “Agreement”).

DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION

Definitions

THE MERGER

The Merger

As soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, and in any event prior to the filing of the Form F-4 in accordance with clause 4.15, AkzoNobel shall incorporate AkzoNobel Sub as an exempted company under the laws of Bermuda. Promptly following the incorporation of AkzoNobel Sub:

AkzoNobel shall deliver to Axalta a complete and correct copy of the organizational or other governing documents of AkzoNobel Sub;

The board of directors of AkzoNobel Sub shall approve this Agreement, determine that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, are in the best interest of AkzoNobel Sub and its shareholder, and the shareholder of AkzoNobel Sub shall approve this Agreement and the Merger, in each case, in accordance with applicable Bermuda laws and subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement; and

AkzoNobel shall cause AkzoNobel Sub to execute and deliver to Axalta a joinder to this Agreement, in the form attached hereto as Schedule 13 (AkzoNobel Sub Joinder Agreement) (the “Joinder Agreement”). Upon the execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement, (i) the Joinder Agreement shall be deemed to be part of this Agreement and (ii) AkzoNobel Sub and AkzoNobel shall together be deemed to be a “Party” to this Agreement. The representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of, or with respect to, AkzoNobel Sub herein and in the Joinder Agreement shall take effect as of and after the execution and delivery of the Joinder Agreement.

On the terms and subject to the conditions set out in this Agreement, AkzoNobel and Axalta shall, and AkzoNobel shall procure that AkzoNobel Sub shall, implement the Merger by merging AkzoNobel Sub with and into Axalta, with Axalta as the surviving company, in accordance with the terms set out in Schedule 4 (Merger), pursuant to which:

at the Effective Time, each Axalta Ordinary Share shall be automatically converted into the right to receive 0.6539 AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares, as further set out in paragraph 2 of Schedule 4 (Merger); and

immediately following the Effective Time, the Parties shall procure that the Exchange Agent will, solely for the account and benefit of the former Axalta Registered Shareholders as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, contribute the issued and outstanding Axalta Ordinary Shares held by such former Axalta Registered Shareholders to AkzoNobel as a contribution in kind (the “Contribution”) and, in consideration of the Contribution, AkzoNobel shall issue and deliver to the Exchange Agent, solely for the account and benefit of such former Axalta Registered Shareholders, the relevant number of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares,

The Effective Time

Pre-Completion Distribution

Completion

Branding of MergeCo

The Parties shall discuss in good faith and mutually agree on the name, ticker symbol and branding strategy of MergeCo as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, and in any event prior to the initial filing of the Form F-4. The Parties acknowledge and agree that the name of MergeCo shall not be exclusively “AkzoNobel” or “Axalta” (but may include one or both of such names in combination with other words as mutually agreed by the Parties).

As of the Amendment Time, AkzoNobel shall cause the name and ticker symbol of MergeCo to be changed to such name and ticker symbol as mutually agreed pursuant to this clause 2.5.

MERGER CONDITIONS

Merger Conditions

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the obligations of AkzoNobel, on the one hand, and Axalta, on the other hand, to consummate the Merger are subject to the satisfaction (or waiver by AkzoNobel or Axalta in accordance with clause 3.2) of the conditions set forth in this clause 3.1 (the “Merger Conditions”):

all Regulatory Clearances in relation to the Merger having been obtained as set out in clause 3.3.1;

the AkzoNobel Works Council Consultation having been deemed completed in accordance with clause 3.6;

(i) there not being an AkzoNobel Material Warranty Breach and (ii) AkzoNobel and AkzoNobel Sub having complied with or performed in all material respects all obligations and covenants required to be complied with or performed by them under this Agreement at or prior to the Completion Date;

(i) there not being an Axalta Material Warranty Breach and (ii) Axalta having complied with or performed in all material respects all obligations and covenants required to be complied with or performed by it under this Agreement at or prior to the Completion Date;

the AkzoNobel Completion Resolutions having been validly adopted at the AkzoNobel EGM and being in full force and effect;

the Axalta Completion Resolution having been validly adopted at the Axalta EGM and being in full force and effect;

the registration statement on Form F-4 (which shall include the Proxy Statement/Prospectus) (together with all amendments and supplements thereto, the “Form F-4”) relating to the registration of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares to be issued to shareholders of Axalta having been declared effective by the SEC under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Form F-4 being in effect and no proceedings for such purposes being pending before the SEC;

AkzoNobel having made publicly available a document (the “Prospectus Regulation Document”) in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended from time to time (the “Prospectus Regulation”), as required in connection with the listing on Euronext Amsterdam of the AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares to be issued in the Merger;

AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares issuable in the Merger having been authorized for listing on NYSE, subject only to official notice of issuance;

the Pre-Completion Distribution having been declared and paid by AkzoNobel;

(i) no stay or other Order having been issued by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction that remains in force and effect at Completion:

in an Applicable Jurisdiction, to the extent related to a Competition Law or Foreign Investment Law; or

in a Material Business Jurisdiction, to the extent clause 3.1.1(k)(i)(A) does not apply; and

in an Applicable Jurisdiction, to the extent related to a Competition Law or Foreign Investment Law; or

in a Material Business Jurisdiction, to the extent clause 3.1.1(k)(ii)(A) does not apply,

AkzoNobel not being subject to a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, administration order, suspension of payments or any other insolvency proceeding in any jurisdiction at Completion;

Axalta not being subject to a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, administration order, suspension of payments or any other insolvency proceeding in any jurisdiction at Completion;

between the date of this Agreement and Completion, there not having occurred a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel; and

between the date of this Agreement and Completion, there not having occurred a Material Adverse Effect in relation to Axalta.

No Party may invoke any Merger Condition if such Party’s breach of any provision of this Agreement has been the proximate cause of the non-satisfaction of such Merger Condition.

Beneficiary of Conditions; Waiver

The Merger Conditions set out in clause 3.1, subclauses (d), (m) and (o) are for the sole benefit of AkzoNobel and accordingly AkzoNobel may, to the extent permitted by the Applicable Law, waive each of these Merger Conditions (either in whole or in part) at any time by giving written notice to Axalta.

The Merger Conditions set out in clause 3.1, subclauses (c), (l) and (n) are for the sole benefit of Axalta and accordingly Axalta may, to the extent permitted by the Applicable Law, waive each of these Merger Conditions (either in whole or in part) at any time by giving written notice to AkzoNobel.

The Merger Conditions set out in clause 3.1, subclauses (a), (b), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j) and (k) are for the benefit of both AkzoNobel and Axalta and may, to the extent permitted by the Applicable Law, only be waived (either in whole or in part) by both AkzoNobel and Axalta jointly in writing; provided, however, that, to the extent the AkzoNobel Boards determine in good faith (after consultation with their outside legal counsel and financial advisors) that the failure to waive (either in whole or in part) the Merger Condition set out in clause 3.1, subclause (j) would be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the AkzoNobel Boards under the Laws of the Netherlands, the Merger Condition set out in clause 3.1, subclause (j) may be waived solely by AkzoNobel to such extent by giving written notice to Axalta (provided that AkzoNobel first consults in good faith with Axalta and takes into account any reasonable comments that Axalta may have).

Regulatory Clearances

The Merger Condition set out in clause 3.1.1(a) will be considered to be satisfied upon, with respect to each Regulatory Clearance:

the Regulatory Clearance having been obtained without conditions or with conditions meeting the requirements of clause 3.5.1 that have been addressed or fulfilled to the satisfaction of the Regulatory Authorities;

the waiting and other time periods (and any extensions thereof) applicable to the Merger under the relevant Applicable Law having expired, lapsed or terminated; or

the applicable Regulatory Authority taking a decision or otherwise informing AkzoNobel or Axalta that the Merger does not fall within the scope of the relevant Applicable Law, or that the applicable Regulatory Authority does not have further questions and does not intend to commence an investigation under the Applicable Law with respect to the Merger.

AkzoNobel and Axalta shall, or shall cause their respective Affiliates to, jointly, or if legally required separately but in close consultation with one another, make all filings, unless otherwise agreed between AkzoNobel and Axalta, to obtain the Regulatory Clearances set out in paragraph 1 of Part C of the Disclosure Letter (Regulatory Clearances) and any other Regulatory Clearances mutually agreed to by AkzoNobel and Axalta pursuant to clauses 3.3 (Regulatory Clearances) and 3.4 (Other regulatory approvals) as soon as permitted and practicably feasible after the date of this Agreement, but in any event within applicable mandatory deadlines; and cooperate fully with one another and, without prejudice to clause 3.5 (Commitments in respect of Regulatory Clearances), use their respective reasonable best efforts to take any and all actions reasonably necessary to obtain the Regulatory Clearances and to respond as promptly as practicable to any requests for information from any Regulatory Authority of competent jurisdiction.

Without prejudice to the generality of clauses 3.3.2 and 3.5 (Commitments in respect of Regulatory Clearances), and subject to Competition Laws relating to the exchange of information:

AkzoNobel and Axalta shall reasonably consult and cooperate with one another, including by (to the extent legally permissible) providing to the other in advance a reasonable opportunity to review, providing to the other comments within a reasonable period and considering in good faith the views of one another in connection with any analyses, presentations, memoranda, briefs, arguments, opinions, proposals or other substantive written communications made or submitted by or on behalf of AkzoNobel or Axalta, in connection with the proceedings relating to any of the Regulatory Clearances. AkzoNobel and Axalta shall have joint responsibility for determining the strategy and liaising with all Regulatory Authorities in relation to the Merger, with the assistance of their respective advisers;

each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall assist and furnish the other with any reasonably necessary information, documentation and assistance reasonably requested in connection with obtaining the Regulatory Clearances; and

each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall:

to the extent practicable and permitted by Applicable Law, give each other reasonable advance notice of all meetings, oral communications or other material discussions with any Regulatory Authority relating to the Regulatory Clearances;

to the extent practicable and permitted by Applicable Law, give each other (or their respective outside counsel) timely notice of, and opportunity to participate in, each of such meetings, oral communications or other material discussions;

if any Regulatory Authority initiates a substantive oral communication regarding any Regulatory Clearance and the other Party (or their respective outside counsel) did not participate in such communication, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, promptly thereafter notify such other Party of the substance of such communication; and

to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, provide each other with copies of all substantive written communications received from any Governmental Authority relating to the Regulatory Clearances,

Subject to clause 3.5 (Commitments in respect of Regulatory Clearances), each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall, and shall procure that each of their respective Affiliates shall, refrain from carrying out any action that would reasonably be expected to cause material delay to, materially hinder, prevent or materially prejudice satisfaction of the Merger Condition set out in clause 3.1.1(a).

All filing fees incurred in relation to any filing required to be made in any jurisdiction in connection with the obtainment of the Regulatory Clearances shall be split equally by AkzoNobel and Axalta.

Other regulatory approvals

Commitments in respect of Regulatory Clearances

AkzoNobel and Axalta shall jointly determine the strategy, shall consult and cooperate with one another and shall consider in good faith the views of one another with respect to all Regulatory Authorities in relation to any and all aspects concerning the actions contemplated in this clause 3.5 (Commitments in respect of Regulatory Clearances). Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, and to cause each of its Affiliates to take, any and all actions reasonably necessary to obtain the Regulatory Clearances as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, and, without limiting the foregoing, each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall, and shall cause each of its Affiliates to, consent to any divestiture, sale, disposition or other structural or conduct remedy, provided that:

any such action shall be conditional on Completion;

AkzoNobel and Axalta will determine jointly what actions, individually or in the aggregate, are considered the most appropriate and will also, to the best of their knowledge and understanding, adequately address any applicable Regulatory Authority’s concerns;

without limiting any other subclause of this clause 3.5.1, AkzoNobel or Axalta may undertake, and Axalta or AkzoNobel, as applicable, shall reasonably cooperate with the other in connection with, any such divestiture, sale, disposition or other structural or conduct remedy with respect to its own businesses, assets or properties, unless such actions, individually or in the aggregate, are materially burdensome as set out in paragraph 2 of Part C of the Disclosure Letter (Regulatory Clearances);

AkzoNobel and Axalta shall not be required to take any actions to the extent such actions, individually or in the aggregate, are materially burdensome as set out in paragraph 2 of Part C of the Disclosure Letter (Regulatory Clearances); and

without the prior written consent of the other Party (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed), AkzoNobel and Axalta shall not, and shall procure that their respective Affiliates shall not, take any actions to the extent such actions, individually or in the aggregate, are materially burdensome as set out in paragraph 2 of Part C of the Disclosure Letter (Regulatory Clearances).

Employee Consultation

Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall, or shall procure, that the notification and consultation procedure with respect to the Merger, and any other consultation matters in relation to the Merger or required to give performance to this Agreement, are performed:

in accordance with the SER’s Merger code 2015 (SER Fusiegedragsregels 2015, the “Merger Code”), which procedure shall be initiated after execution of this Agreement and simultaneously with, or immediately prior to, announcement of the Merger with reasonable best efforts taken to ensure confidentiality;

with respect to the consultation with the AkzoNobel Works Council, in accordance with the Dutch Works Council Act (Wet op de Ondernemingsraden, the “WCA”), which procedure shall be initiated as soon as practicable (and in any event no later than fifteen (15) Business Days) after execution of this Agreement;

with respect to the consultation with AkzoNobel’s European works council, such that such procedure shall be initiated as soon as practicable (and in any event no later than ten (10) Business Days) after execution of this Agreement and in accordance with clause 3.6.7; and

with respect to the Other Employee Procedures pursuant to clause 3.6.7, such that such procedures shall be initiated as soon as practicable after execution of this Agreement

The required consultation with the AkzoNobel Works Council (the “AkzoNobel Works Council Consultation”) will be deemed completed upon the AkzoNobel Board of Management adopting a resolution in accordance with the relevant advice, and:

the AkzoNobel Works Council having rendered an unconditional advice permitting the Parties to pursue the Merger; or

the AkzoNobel Works Council having rendered an advice with conditions acceptable to each of AkzoNobel and Axalta, acting reasonably.

To the extent neither of the situations described in clause 3.6.2 occurs, the AkzoNobel Works Council Consultation will be deemed completed upon the AkzoNobel Board of Management adopting a resolution that deviates from the relevant advice, if rendered, and:

the AkzoNobel Works Council having unconditionally waived (i) the applicable waiting period in accordance with article 25 paragraph 6 of the Dutch Works Councils Act and (ii) its right to initiate legal proceedings pursuant to article 26 of the Dutch Works Councils Act;

the applicable waiting period pursuant to article 25 paragraph 6 of the Dutch Works Council Act having expired without the AkzoNobel Works Council having initiated legal proceedings pursuant to the Dutch Works Council Act; or

following the initiation of legal proceedings pursuant to article 26 of the Dutch Works Councils Act, the AkzoNobel Works Council having withdrawn from such legal proceedings or the Enterprise Chamber having dismissed the AkzoNobel Works Council’s appeal to the effect that no measures obstructing the Merger are imposed and the dismissal of the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeals (Ondernemingskamer van het gerechtshof Amsterdam) having immediate effect (uitvoerbaar bij voorrraad) or such legal proceedings having been concluded otherwise in a manner that does not prohibit the Merger from proceeding.

AkzoNobel and Axalta shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to complete the AkzoNobel Works Council Consultation process, it being understood that AkzoNobel will have the primary responsibility for, and take all steps reasonably necessary to, in close consultation with Axalta and its advisors, as soon as practicably possible following the date of this Agreement, initiate, conduct and complete the AkzoNobel Works Council Consultation. AkzoNobel and Axalta shall consult with each other closely with a view to seeking and obtaining the AkzoNobel Works Council’s advice and completing the AkzoNobel Works Council Consultation, including by discussing in good faith to expeditiously resolve any relevant issues raised by the AkzoNobel Works Council during the AkzoNobel Works Council Consultation, including discussion of any potential changes to this Agreement and the documents relating hereto requested by the AkzoNobel Works Council (bearing in mind the intent and purpose of the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement); provided that in no event shall any Party be required pursuant to this clause 3.6.4 to agree to amend, modify or waive any terms or conditions of this Agreement. AkzoNobel shall keep Axalta informed on a continuing basis on all material correspondence and consultations in respect of the AkzoNobel Works Council Consultation, including providing Axalta with advance notice of any meetings with the AkzoNobel Works Council and the anticipated agenda for such meeting. AkzoNobel shall give (representatives of) Axalta the opportunity to attend meetings with (representatives of) the AkzoNobel Works Council if requested by the AkzoNobel Works Council and, if not requested by the AkzoNobel Works Council, consult with Axalta regarding (representatives of) Axalta attending such meetings. AkzoNobel shall not send the request for advice or any other material communication (including responses to questions raised by the AkzoNobel Works Council and any commitments) to the AkzoNobel Works Council without Axalta’s prior written consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. As soon as practicable following the occurrence of any one of the events described in clause 3.6.2(a) or (b) or 3.6.3(a), (b) or (c), the AkzoNobel Board of Management shall meet to adopt the resolution contemplated by clause 3.6.2 or 3.6.3, as applicable, which adoption shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

AkzoNobel will, in close consultation with Axalta and its advisors and on behalf of all relevant Persons, make notifications (the “Merger Code Notifications”) under the Merger Code to the SER and the relevant Dutch trade unions within the meaning of the Merger Code (the “Trade Unions”) with respect to the Merger in accordance with the Merger Code, including clauses 3 (2) and 8 (1) of the Merger Code. If, within two (2) weeks following the submission of the Merger Code Notifications, AkzoNobel has not received any written questions from the SER or any of the Trade Unions or any written requests for a consultation meeting by any of the Trade Unions in connection with the Merger Code Notifications, the process under the Merger Code shall be deemed completed.

If the SER or any of the Trade Unions submit any written questions to AkzoNobel in connection with the Merger Code Notifications within two (2) weeks following submission of the Merger Code Notifications, AkzoNobel shall promptly provide Axalta with a copy thereof. AkzoNobel shall, in close consultation with Axalta, answer such questions, if any, within three (3) weeks of the submission of the Merger Code Notifications. If one or more of the Trade Unions request a consultation meeting with AkzoNobel within two (2) weeks following submission of the Merger Code Notifications, AkzoNobel shall schedule such meeting promptly and give (representatives of) Axalta the opportunity to attend such meetings with (representatives of) the relevant Trade Unions if requested by (one of) the Trade Unions and, if not requested by (one of) the Trade Unions, consult with Axalta regarding (representatives of) Axalta attending such meetings. If the SER or any of the Trade Unions express any views in opposition of the Merger insofar as it may affect employees’ interests as referred to in the Merger Code or requests any commitment, in each case, in any questions or during any consultation meeting contemplated by this clause 3.6.6, AkzoNobel and Axalta shall consult with each other closely with a view to resolving any such comments, including discussing in good faith to expeditiously resolve any relevant issues raised by the SER or (one of) the Trade Unions, provided that in no event shall any Party be required pursuant to this clause 3.6.6 to agree to amend, modify or waive any terms or conditions of this Agreement and AkzoNobel shall not make any commitment to the SER or any Trade Union without Axalta’s prior written consent.

Prior to the Completion, each of AkzoNobel and Axalta, as applicable, shall fully comply with all notice, consultation, effects bargaining or other bargaining obligations (other than the AkzoNobel Works Council Consultation and the Merger Code process) (together, the “Other Employee Procedures”) to any labour union, labour organization, works council or group of employees of such

NYSE listing

Reasonable Best Efforts

EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS

Convocation of the AkzoNobel EGM

AkzoNobel Resolutions

AkzoNobel EGM Materials

AkzoNobel Recommendation

to approve the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by AkzoNobel and the performance by AkzoNobel of its obligations under this Agreement and in connection to the Merger;

subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to unanimously support and recommend the Merger and unanimously recommend the AkzoNobel shareholders vote in favour of the AkzoNobel Resolutions at the AkzoNobel EGM (collectively such recommendation, the “AkzoNobel Recommendation”); and

subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to include the AkzoNobel Recommendation in the Joint Announcement and in any further press releases in connection with the Merger, and in the AkzoNobel EGM Materials.

AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change

Subject to clauses 4.6, 13 and 14, AkzoNobel shall ensure that neither of the AkzoNobel Boards nor any of their members or committees shall, directly or indirectly:

(i) withhold or withdraw, or modify, change, amend or qualify in a manner adverse to Axalta, the AkzoNobel Recommendation, or publicly propose to do any of the foregoing, (ii) fail to make the AkzoNobel Recommendation, (iii) fail to include in any of (A) the Joint Announcement, (B) any further press releases in connection with the Merger or (C) the AkzoNobel EGM Materials, the AkzoNobel Recommendation or (iv) otherwise make any public statement inconsistent with the AkzoNobel Recommendation;

recommend, adopt, approve or enter into, or propose publicly to recommend, adopt, approve or enter into, any Alternative Proposal, or recommend, adopt, approve or enter into, or propose publicly to recommend, adopt, approve or enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, business combination agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other similar agreement relating to any Alternative Proposal or any offer or proposal that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Alternative Proposal;

if an Alternative Proposal structured as a public offer for outstanding AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares (other than by Axalta or an Affiliate of Axalta) has been publicly disclosed, fail to publicly recommend, in a position statement (standpuntbepaling), against acceptance of such public offer by the shareholders of AkzoNobel no later than ten (10) Business Days after the commencement of such public offer;

make any public statement in connection with an Alternative Proposal, the announcement of an Alternative Proposal or the announcement of the intention to make an Alternative Proposal, other than (i) a recommendation against such proposal (which shall be made within ten (10) Business Days after the public announcement of such Alternative Proposal or the announcement of an intention to make an Alternative Proposal), or (ii) such neutral factual information that AkzoNobel determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, to be required in order to comply with Applicable Law (provided, however, that if such disclosure has the effect of withholding or withdrawing, or modifying, changing, amending or qualifying in a manner adverse to Axalta, the AkzoNobel Recommendation, such disclosure shall be deemed to be an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change);

fail to make a public reaffirmation of the AkzoNobel Recommendation within ten (10) Business Days after receiving a written request to do so from Axalta if any Alternative Proposal or any material modification thereto has been publicly made, sent or given to AkzoNobel’s shareholders; or

publicly propose to do or cause to be done any of the foregoing,

AkzoNobel Intervening Event

AkzoNobel shall have (A) provided to Axalta four (4) Business Days’ prior written notice (which shall not constitute an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change), which shall (x) set forth in reasonable detail information describing the Intervening Event, and (y) state expressly that, subject to clause 4.6(b), the AkzoNobel Boards intend to effect an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change, as well as the rationale of the AkzoNobel Boards for such intention, and (z) confirm that the AkzoNobel Boards have determined, in good faith, after consultation with their outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that the failure to effect an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change would be inconsistent with the respective fiduciary duties of the AkzoNobel Boards under the laws of the Netherlands and (B) prior to making such an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change, to the extent requested in writing by Axalta, engaged in good faith negotiations with Axalta during such four (4) Business Day period to amend this Agreement in response to the Intervening Event in relation to AkzoNobel in such a manner that the failure of the AkzoNobel Boards to effect an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change in response to the Intervening Event in accordance with clause 4.6(b) would no longer be inconsistent with the respective fiduciary duties of the AkzoNobel Boards under the laws of the Netherlands; and

no earlier than the end of such four (4) Business Day period (as extended pursuant to the parenthetical at the end of this clause 4.6(b)), the AkzoNobel Boards shall have determined in good faith, after consultation with their outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that, taking into account any revised terms proposed by Axalta pursuant to clause 4.6(a), the applicable event, effect, development, occurrence or change in circumstances continues to constitute an Intervening Event in relation to AkzoNobel, as a result of which the failure to effect an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change would continue to be inconsistent with the respective fiduciary duties of the AkzoNobel Boards under the laws of the Netherlands (it being understood and agreed that any material change to the circumstances giving rise to the Intervening Event that was previously the subject of a notice hereunder shall require a new notice to Axalta as provided above; provided, that, with respect to each such material change, each reference in the preceding clause 4.6(a) and this clause 4.6(b) to a “four (4) Business Day” period shall be changed to refer to a “two (2) Business Day” period).

Other matters in respect of the AkzoNobel EGM

AkzoNobel shall together with Axalta determine the date of the AkzoNobel EGM and, unless this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, shall not cancel, postpone or adjourn the AkzoNobel EGM, once convened, without the prior written consent of Axalta; provided that AkzoNobel may, after consultation with Axalta, postpone, adjourn or reconvene the AkzoNobel EGM in accordance with the requirements under Applicable Law (i) if it is necessary to postpone or adjourn the AkzoNobel EGM to ensure that any required supplement or amendment to the AkzoNobel EGM Materials is provided to the AkzoNobel shareholders within a reasonable amount of time in advance of the AkzoNobel EGM, or (ii) to solicit a larger number of votes in favour of the AkzoNobel Completion Resolutions, whether or not through proxies, for the purpose of obtaining AkzoNobel shareholder approval of the AkzoNobel Completion Resolutions (including at the request of Axalta in connection with the foregoing); provided, however, that, except as required by Applicable Law, the AkzoNobel EGM shall not be postponed, adjourned or reconvened to a date that is more than forty five (45) days after the date on which the AkzoNobel EGM was originally scheduled or less than five (5) Business Days prior to the Long Stop Date, in each case without the prior written consent of Axalta.

AkzoNobel shall ensure that the AkzoNobel EGM is called, noticed, convened, held and conducted in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws and its organizational documents. The AkzoNobel Resolutions shall be the only matters that AkzoNobel shall propose to the shareholders of AkzoNobel at the AkzoNobel EGM and, other than a discussion of the Merger and the AkzoNobel Resolutions, there shall be no other matters listed on the agenda for the AkzoNobel EGM as a discussion item, unless (A) otherwise reasonably proposed by AkzoNobel and approved in advance in writing by Axalta (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) or (B) reasonably proposed by Axalta and approved in advance in writing by AkzoNobel (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

Unless the AkzoNobel Boards have made an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, AkzoNobel shall use its reasonable best efforts to secure the approval of the AkzoNobel Resolutions at the AkzoNobel EGM (including any adjournment, postponement or reconvening thereof).

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, but subject to AkzoNobel’s rights to terminate this Agreement in accordance with its terms, AkzoNobel agrees that (i) its obligation to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the AkzoNobel EGM in accordance with and subject to the terms hereof and (ii) its obligations pursuant to this clause 4, in each case, shall, unless specifically provided for, not

Convocation of the Axalta EGM

Axalta Resolutions

Axalta EGM Materials

Axalta Recommendation

to approve the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Axalta and the performance by Axalta of its obligations under this Agreement and in connection to the Merger;

subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to unanimously support and recommend the Merger and unanimously recommend the Axalta shareholders vote in favour of the Axalta Resolutions at the Axalta EGM (collectively such recommendation, the “Axalta Recommendation”); and

subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to include the Axalta Recommendation in the Joint Announcement and in any further press releases in connection with the Merger, and in the Axalta EGM Materials.

Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change

(i) withhold or withdraw, or modify, change, amend or qualify in a manner adverse to AkzoNobel, the Axalta Recommendation, or publicly propose to do any of the foregoing, (ii) fail to make the Axalta Recommendation, (iii) fail to include in any of (A) the Joint Announcement, (B) any further press releases in connection with the Merger or (C) the Axalta EGM Materials, the Axalta Recommendation or (iv) otherwise make any public statement inconsistent with the Axalta Recommendation;

recommend, adopt, approve or enter into, or propose publicly to recommend, adopt, approve or enter into, any Alternative Proposal, or recommend, adopt, approve or enter into, or propose publicly to recommend, adopt, approve or enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, business combination agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement or other similar agreement relating to any Alternative Proposal or any offer or proposal that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Alternative Proposal;

if an Alternative Proposal structured as a tender offer or exchange offer pursuant to Rule 14d-2 under the Exchange Act for outstanding Axalta Ordinary Shares (other than by AkzoNobel or an Affiliate of AkzoNobel) has been publicly disclosed, fail to publicly recommend, in a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9, against acceptance of such tender offer or exchange offer by the shareholders of Axalta no later than ten (10) business days (as such term is used in Rule 14d-9 of the Exchange Act) after the commencement of such tender offer or exchange offer;

make any public statement in connection with an Alternative Proposal, the announcement of an Alternative Proposal or the announcement of the intention to make an Alternative Proposal, other than (i) a recommendation against such proposal (which shall be made within ten (10) Business Days after the public announcement of such Alternative Proposal or the announcement of an intention to make an Alternative Proposal), or (ii) such neutral factual information that Axalta determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel, to be required in order to comply with Applicable Law (provided, however, that if such disclosure has the effect of withholding or withdrawing, or modifying, changing, amending or qualifying in a manner adverse to AkzoNobel, the Axalta Recommendation, such disclosure shall be deemed to be an Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change);

fail to make a public reaffirmation of the Axalta Recommendation within ten (10) Business Days after receiving a written request to do so from AkzoNobel if any Alternative Proposal or any material modification thereto has been publicly made, sent or given to Axalta’s shareholders; or

publicly propose to do or cause to be done any of the foregoing,

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit Axalta or the Axalta Board from taking and disclosing to the shareholders of Axalta a position contemplated by Rule 14e-2(a), Rule 14d-9 or Item 1012(a) of Regulation M-A promulgated under the Exchange Act or making any “stop, look and listen” communication to the shareholders of Axalta pursuant to Rule 14d-9(f) under the Exchange Act pending disclosure of its position thereunder, provided, that no such action, position or disclosure that has the effect of withholding or withdrawing, or modifying, changing, amending or qualifying in a manner adverse to AkzoNobel, the Axalta Recommendation shall be permitted, made or taken other than in compliance with clause 14 or clause 15.

Axalta Intervening Event

Axalta shall have (A) provided to AkzoNobel four (4) Business Days’ prior written notice (which shall not constitute an Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change), which shall (x) set forth in reasonable detail information describing the Intervening Event, and (y) state expressly that, subject to clause 4.13(b), the Axalta Board intends to effect an Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change, as well as the rationale of the Axalta Board for such intention, and (z) confirm that the Axalta Board has determined, in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that the failure to effect an Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change would be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the Axalta Board under the laws of Bermuda and (B) prior to making such an Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change, to the extent requested in writing by AkzoNobel, engaged in good faith negotiations with AkzoNobel during such four (4) Business Day period to amend this Agreement in response to the Intervening Event in relation to Axalta in such a manner that the failure of the Axalta Board to effect an Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change in response to the Intervening Event in accordance with clause 4.13(b) would no longer be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the Axalta Board under the laws of Bermuda; and

no earlier than the end of such four (4) Business Day period (as extended pursuant to the parenthetical at the end of this clause 4.13(b)), the Axalta Board shall have determined in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that, taking into account any revised terms proposed by AkzoNobel pursuant to clause 4.13(a), the applicable event, effect, development, occurrence or change in circumstances continues to constitute an Intervening Event in relation to Axalta, as a result of which the failure to effect an Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change would continue to be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the Axalta Board under the laws of Bermuda (it being understood and agreed that any material change to the circumstances giving rise to the Intervening Event that was previously the subject of a notice hereunder shall require a new notice to AkzoNobel as provided above; provided, that, with respect to each such material change, each reference in the preceding clause 4.13(a) and this clause 4.13(b) to a “four (4) Business Day” period shall be changed to refer to a “two (2) Business Day” period).

Other matters in respect of the Axalta EGM

Axalta shall together with AkzoNobel determine the date of the Axalta EGM and, unless this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, shall not cancel, postpone or adjourn the Axalta EGM, once convened, without the prior written consent of AkzoNobel, provided that Axalta may, after consultation with AkzoNobel, postpone, adjourn or reconvene the Axalta EGM in accordance with the requirements under Applicable Law (i) if it is necessary to postpone or adjourn the Axalta EGM to ensure that any required supplement or amendment to the Axalta EGM Materials is provided to the Axalta shareholders within a reasonable amount of time in advance of the Axalta EGM, (ii) if, as of the time for which the Axalta EGM is scheduled, there are insufficient Axalta Ordinary Shares represented (either in person or by proxy) to constitute a quorum necessary to conduct the business of the Axalta EGM or (iii) to solicit additional proxies for the purpose of obtaining Axalta shareholder approval of the Axalta Completion Resolution (including at the request of AkzoNobel in connection with the foregoing); provided, however, that, except as required by Applicable Law, the Axalta EGM shall not be postponed, adjourned or reconvened to a date that is more than forty five (45) days after the date on which the Axalta EGM was originally scheduled or less than five (5) Business Days prior to the Long Stop Date, in each case without the prior written consent of AkzoNobel.

Axalta shall ensure that the Axalta EGM is called, noticed, convened, held and conducted in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws and its organizational documents. The Axalta Resolutions shall be the only matters that Axalta shall propose to the shareholders of Axalta at the Axalta EGM and, other than a discussion of the Merger and the Axalta Resolutions, there shall be no other matters listed on the agenda for the Axalta EGM as a discussion item, unless (A) required under Applicable Law, (B) otherwise reasonably proposed by Axalta and approved in advance in writing by AkzoNobel (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) or (C) reasonably proposed by AkzoNobel and approved in advance in writing by Axalta (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed).

Unless the Axalta Board has made an Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, Axalta shall use its reasonable best efforts to secure the approval of the Axalta Resolutions at the Axalta EGM (including any adjournment, postponement or reconvening thereof).

On the date of the Axalta EGM, if the Axalta Resolution referred to in clause (a) of Schedule 6 (Axalta Resolutions) is adopted, after such adoption but prior to submission of the Axalta Resolution referred to in clause (b) of Schedule 6 (Axalta Resolutions) for vote in the Axalta EGM, Axalta shall procure that its bye-laws are amended and restated in the form of the Axalta Pre-Merger Bye-Laws.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, but subject to Axalta’s rights to terminate this Agreement in accordance with its terms, Axalta agrees that (i) its obligation to duly call, give notice of, convene and hold the Axalta EGM in accordance with and subject to the terms hereof and (ii) its obligations pursuant to this clause 4, in each case, shall, unless specifically provided for, not be affected by the commencement, public proposal, public disclosure or communication to Axalta of any Alternative Proposal (whether or not an Axalta Superior Proposal) or any Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change. Unless this Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, Axalta agrees that it shall not submit to the vote of the shareholders of Axalta any Alternative Proposal (whether or not an Axalta Superior Proposal) or any matters relating thereto.

Certain Filings; SEC and AFM Matters

As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, AkzoNobel and Axalta shall prepare and AkzoNobel shall cause to be filed with the SEC the Form F-4, which shall include a proxy statement related to the matters to be submitted to the holders of Axalta Ordinary Shares and a prospectus related to the offering of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares to holders of Axalta Ordinary Shares (including amendments and supplements thereto, the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”). Following the Form F-4 being declared effective, Axalta shall cause the Proxy Statement/Prospectus to be filed with the SEC. The Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Form F-4 shall comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other Applicable Law. AkzoNobel and Axalta shall ensure that the Form F-4 has been declared effective prior to, or simultaneously with, convocation of the AkzoNobel EGM and Axalta EGM and publication of the AkzoNobel EGM Materials and the Axalta EGM Materials.

As promptly as practicable following the date of this Agreement, AkzoNobel and Axalta shall prepare the Prospectus Regulation Document, which shall be made available to the public by AkzoNobel and, as required by Applicable Law, be filed by AkzoNobel with the AFM, in each case having due regard to the planned timing of publication of the Prospectus Regulation Document and Applicable Law.

AkzoNobel and Axalta shall, on request, furnish to the other all information, documents, submissions or comfort concerning itself, its Affiliates, directors, officers and (to the extent reasonably available to the applicable Party) shareholders (including AkzoNobel Disclosed Information and Axalta Disclosed Information) and such other matters as may be reasonably necessary or advisable in connection with the preparation, filing and distribution of the Prospectus Regulation Document, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Form F-4 or any other statement, filing, notice or application made by or on behalf of each of AkzoNobel or Axalta or any of their respective Affiliates to the AFM, the SEC or the NYSE in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, in each case having due regard to the planned timing of publication of such document and Applicable Law, provided, that neither AkzoNobel nor Axalta shall use any such information for any purposes other than those contemplated by this Agreement unless such Party obtains the prior written consent of the other. In addition, each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall (i) use its reasonable best efforts to promptly provide information concerning it necessary to enable the other Party to prepare required pro forma financial statements and related footnotes in connection with the preparation of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and the Form F-4 and, as required by Applicable Law, the Prospectus Regulation Document and (ii) enter into any agreement or execute any letter (including representation letters and letters of comfort) or other document which is customary or necessary in connection with the preparation of Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Form F-4 and the Prospectus Regulation Document and any amendment or supplement thereto or where such documents, information or submissions are ancillary to the preparation of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Form F-4 or the Prospectus Regulation Document. Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta will use its reasonable best efforts to respond as promptly as reasonably practicable to any comments from the SEC (including its staff) or the AFM (including its staff), as applicable, and will use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Form F-4 to be declared effective under the Securities Act and, as required by Applicable Law, the Prospectus Regulation Document to be approved by the AFM, as promptly as reasonably practicable after such filing, and to keep the Form F-4 effective as long as is necessary to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger. Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta will notify the other promptly upon the receipt of any comments from the SEC (including its staff) or the AFM (including its staff) in connection with the filing of, or amendments or supplements to, the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the Form F-4 or the Prospectus Regulation Document,

Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta agrees that none of the information supplied or to be supplied by or on behalf of AkzoNobel or Axalta, as applicable, for inclusion or incorporation by reference (a) in the Form F-4 or the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (or any other proxy materials for the Axalta EGM) will, at the time the Form F-4 becomes effective under the Securities Act, and at the time of the AkzoNobel EGM and Axalta EGM, or (b) in the Prospectus Regulation Document will, at the time of its publication and at the Effective Time, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required

Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall use its reasonable best efforts to take any action required to be taken by it under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules of the NYSE in connection with the filing and distribution of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus (or any other proxy materials for the Axalta EGM), the Form F-4 and the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Axalta and the shareholders of AkzoNobel.

Fairness Opinions

The AkzoNobel Boards have obtained the written opinion from each of Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc and Lazard B.V. to the effect that, as of the date of such opinion, and based upon and subject to the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and qualifications and limitations on the scope of review undertaken by Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc or Lazard B.V., as applicable, as set forth therein, after giving effect to the Pre-Completion Distribution, the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to AkzoNobel (the “AkzoNobel Fairness Opinions”).

Evercore Group L.L.C. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC have each rendered their oral opinions to the Axalta Board (to be confirmed by delivery of written opinions from each of Evercore Group L.L.C. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC) that, as of the date of such opinions, and based upon and subject to the factors and assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, and qualifications and limitations on the scope of review undertaken by Evercore Group L.L.C. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as applicable, as set forth therein, the Exchange Ratio is fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of the Axalta Ordinary Shares (the “Axalta Fairness Opinions” and, together with the AkzoNobel Fairness Opinions, the “Fairness Opinions”).

AkzoNobel and Axalta shall ensure that (i) the Fairness Opinions will be referenced in the Prospectus Regulation Document, (ii) the AkzoNobel Fairness Opinions will be included in full in the AkzoNobel EGM Materials and may be included in full in the Prospectus Regulation Document, and (iii) the Axalta Fairness Opinions will be included in full in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall deliver, solely for informational purposes, copies of the signed Fairness Opinions received by such Party to the other Party promptly following the date of this Agreement.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AKZONOBEL

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF AXALTA

POST-MERGER CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

MergeCo Governance

immediately following the Effective Time, cause the amendment of its articles of association through the execution of a Dutch notarial deed in accordance with the governance terms as set out in Schedule 11 (MergeCo Governance), including but not limited to the conversion of all AkzoNobel Priority Shares into the Stichting Converted Shares;

prior to the Effective Time:

cause the AkzoNobel Boards to adopt the MergeCo Board Rules, with effect as of the Amendment Time; and

cause the execution of a deed of transfer, whereby the Stichting Converted Shares held by Stichting Akzo Nobel are transferred to AkzoNobel for no consideration in accordance with the Stichting Support Agreement, which transfer shall be effective as of the Amendment Time.

MergeCo Board Composition

Subject to Applicable Law, AkzoNobel shall cause, effective as of the Amendment Time:

MergeCo to have a one-tier board of directors consisting of eleven (11) members, including two (2) executive directors and nine (9) non-executive directors;

the MergeCo Axalta Board Nominees to be appointed as members of the MergeCo Board;

the MergeCo AkzoNobel Board Nominees to be appointed as members of the MergeCo Board; and

three (3) individuals to be nominated by AkzoNobel and Axalta, acting jointly, to be appointed as non-executive directors of the MergeCo Board, who shall be independent (as determined in accordance with the standards of the NYSE and the Dutch Corporate Governance Code) from the Parties (the “MergeCo Joint Board Nominees”).

The MergeCo Axalta Board Nominees shall be designated by Axalta in writing no later than the tenth (10th) Business Day prior to the date of the first publication of the AkzoNobel EGM Materials or the Axalta EGM Materials, following consultation between AkzoNobel and Axalta regarding appropriate candidates for appointment to the MergeCo Board, and Axalta shall consider in good faith input reasonably provided by AkzoNobel, taking into account Applicable Law.

The MergeCo AkzoNobel Board Nominees shall be designated by AkzoNobel in writing no later than the tenth (10th) Business Day prior to the date of the first publication of the AkzoNobel EGM Materials or the Axalta EGM Materials, following consultation between Axalta and AkzoNobel regarding appropriate candidates for appointment to the MergeCo Board, and AkzoNobel shall consider in good faith input reasonably provided by Axalta, taking into account Applicable Law.

The MergeCo Joint Board Nominees shall be jointly designated by AkzoNobel and Axalta in writing no later than the tenth (10th) Business Day prior to the date of the first publication of the AkzoNobel EGM Materials or the Axalta EGM Materials, following mutual agreement between Axalta and AkzoNobel, acting in good faith, regarding the appropriate candidates for appointment to the MergeCo Board.

In designating the MergeCo Board Nominees, the Parties shall take the following into account:

all MergeCo Board Nominees shall be suitable for appointment under Applicable Law (including under any binding limitations under overboarding rules under Applicable Law) and mandatory NYSE standards and the total composition of the MergeCo Board shall meet the independence standards under the NYSE independence rules and the Dutch Corporate Governance Code; and

in selecting the MergeCo Board Nominees, the Parties shall comply with the binding limitations under gender balance requirements under Applicable Law and, if required for that purpose, in good faith discuss any alternatives to any MergeCo Board Nominee, as applicable.

AkzoNobel shall procure that any members of the AkzoNobel Board of Management and the AkzoNobel Supervisory Board who will not continue as MergeCo Board members as of the Amendment Time shall irrevocably resign from their positions as members of the AkzoNobel Board of Management or the AkzoNobel Supervisory Board, respectively, and from any other office or function they hold with AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries (where relevant), in each case with effect from the Amendment Time and each such member will confirm prior to the Amendment Time that, at the Amendment Time, he or she has no claim whatsoever against AkzoNobel in respect of loss of office or otherwise, except with respect to (i) compensation duly accrued under any remunerations arrangements in respect of services rendered to AkzoNobel or (ii) severance or retention agreements entered into in respect of the Merger.

AkzoNobel shall not take any actions that would result in the appointment of any persons as members of the MergeCo Board, other than the MergeCo Board Nominees.

Axalta shall procure that any member of the Axalta Board that will resign as a member of the Axalta Board as a consequence of the Merger, and not become a member of the MergeCo Board, will confirm prior to the Effective Time that, at the Effective Time, he or she has no claim whatsoever against Axalta in respect of loss of office or otherwise, except with respect to (i) compensation duly accrued under any remunerations arrangements in respect of services rendered to Axalta or (ii) severance or retention agreements entered into in respect of the Merger.

MergeCo Tax residency

DELISTING FROM EURONEXT AMSTERDAM

INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

Indemnification

in a manner no less advantageous in the aggregate as such Persons are or have the right to be indemnified or have the right to advancement of expenses as of the date of this Agreement, in each case pursuant to the organizational documents of Axalta or its Subsidiaries or any indemnification agreements between Axalta or its Subsidiaries and such Person; and

to the fullest extent permitted by law,

Insurance

Prior to the Completion Date, AkzoNobel and Axalta shall consult in good faith on the matters set forth in this clause 9.2.1, and shall procure that Axalta shall as of the Completion Date, obtain and fully pay, or cause to be obtained and fully paid, the premium for a six-year run-off or “tail” endorsement to:

the directors’ and officers’ liability coverage of Axalta’s existing directors’ and officers’ insurance programs; and

Axalta’s existing fiduciary liability insurance policies,

In the event that MergeCo or any of its successors or assigns (other than pursuant to the Merger) (i) shall consolidate with, or merge with or into, any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger or (ii) shall transfer, including by means of a demerger or spin-off, all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any Person, then, in each case, MergeCo shall take such action as may be necessary so that such Person shall assume all of the applicable obligations set forth in clauses 9.1, 9.2 and 9.3.

Third-Party Beneficiaries

DEBT FINANCING AND REFINANCING

Debt Financing

AkzoNobel shall use its reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary or advisable to enter into, as promptly as practicable during the Interim Period, a Debt Financing Commitment for an amount sufficient, together with available cash on balance and other available funding sources, to pay the Pre-Completion Distribution and refinance the Axalta Term Loans (the “Minimum Committed Financing Amount” and, any borrowings pursuant to such Debt Financing Commitment or in substitution thereof, a “Debt Financing”), including using reasonable best efforts to (i) enter into the Debt Financing Commitment and definitive Debt Financing Documents, in each case, in consultation with Axalta in accordance with clause 10.1.2, (ii) satisfy on a timely basis or obtain the waiver of all conditions to funding applicable to AkzoNobel contained in the Debt Financing Commitment, and (iii) in consultation with Axalta, based on an assessment of aggregate liquidity expected to be available at the Effective Time and the amount of borrowings under the Debt Financing required to pay the Pre-Completion Distribution and refinance the Axalta Term Loans, consummate one or more Debt Financings prior to, or substantially concurrently with, the Effective Time.

AkzoNobel shall use its reasonable best efforts to enter into the Debt Financing Commitment and any potential Debt Financing on reasonable market terms available at such time with respect to structure and seniority, maturity profile and pricing, in each case with the aim of maintaining an investment grade credit rating with S&P Global and Moody’s. AkzoNobel shall keep Axalta informed on a reasonable basis and in reasonable detail of the status of its efforts to arrange the Debt Financing Commitment and the proposed terms thereof and of any potential Debt Financing, and shall take into consideration any timely and reasonable requests from Axalta as to the terms of the Debt Financing Commitment and any potential Debt Financing, it being understood that AkzoNobel shall at all times retain the right to enter into such documentation

AkzoNobel shall give Axalta prompt written notice (in any event within two (2) Business Days) after the occurrence of any of the following: (i) any material breach of the Debt Financing Commitment by any party to the Debt Financing Commitment or any uncurable event or circumstance that makes a condition precedent to the Debt Financing unable to be satisfied, in each case, of which AkzoNobel becomes aware, or any termination of all or a portion of the Debt Financing, (ii) the receipt of any notice or other communication from any party to the Debt Financing Commitment with respect to any (A) actual or alleged breach or default, termination or repudiation by any party to the Debt Financing Commitment of any provisions of the Debt Financing Commitment of which AkzoNobel becomes aware or (B) material dispute between or among any parties to the Debt Financing Commitment with respect to the obligation to fund any portion of the loans committed thereunder, and (iii) if at any time AkzoNobel determines in good faith for any reason that AkzoNobel will not be able to obtain all or any portion of the loans on the terms contemplated by the Debt Financing Commitment. As soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event within two (2) Business Days following the date that Axalta delivers to AkzoNobel a written request, AkzoNobel shall use reasonable best efforts to provide any information reasonably requested by Axalta relating to any circumstance referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence.

Refinancing

Debt Financing and Refinancing Cooperation

responding, on a timely basis, to any reasonable information requests from AkzoNobel or any of AkzoNobel’s debt financing providers, including know your customer and due diligence inquiries;

providing reasonable and customary assistance to AkzoNobel in the preparation and delivery of any definitive financing documents, rating agency presentations, bank information memoranda, offering memoranda, private placement memoranda and other similar documents, including by causing its respective senior management, employees, accountants, legal counsel, financial advisors and other advisors to provide reasonable cooperation (including with respect to timeliness);

participating (including by making the senior management of Axalta, in each case with appropriate seniority and expertise, available to participate) in meetings, presentations, road shows, due diligence sessions (or other sessions with prospective lenders and investors) and sessions with rating agencies at such times and places as AkzoNobel may reasonably request; and

taking any other reasonable actions that are necessary or advisable to permit the consummation of the Debt Financing and the refinancing of the AkzoNobel 2026 Notes by AkzoNobel.

Cost Allocation

EQUITY PLANS

Axalta Equity Plans

At the Effective Time, except as set forth in clause 11.1.2, each Axalta RSU that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any required action on the part of Axalta, AkzoNobel or any of their respective Affiliates or any holder of such Axalta RSU, shall be assumed

At the Effective Time, each Axalta RSU that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and (a) is vested as of immediately prior to the Effective Time or (b) is held by (i) a former Axalta Service Provider or (ii) a non-employee member of the Axalta Board, in each case, whether or not vested immediately prior to the Effective Time (each Axalta RSU described in the foregoing subclauses (a) and (b), a “Terminating Axalta RSU Award”), by virtue of the Merger and without any required action on the part of Axalta, AkzoNobel or any of their respective Affiliates or any holder of such Terminating Axalta RSU Award, shall fully vest (if unvested) and be cancelled and converted automatically into the right to receive, with respect to each Axalta Ordinary Share underlying such Terminating Axalta RSU Award, the AkzoNobel Share Consideration, as if such Terminating Axalta RSU Award had been settled in Axalta Ordinary Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time, plus cash in lieu of fractional shares as provided for under clause 2.3.5 of Schedule 4 (collectively, the “Terminating Axalta RSU Award Consideration”).

At the Effective Time, except as set forth in clause 11.1.4, each Axalta PSU that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any required action on the part of Axalta, AkzoNobel or any of their respective Affiliates or any holder of such Axalta PSU, shall be assumed by AkzoNobel and shall be converted into a restricted stock unit award (each, an “Assumed PSU Award”) that settles (subject to the satisfaction of the applicable time-based vesting conditions) in a number of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares equal to the number of Axalta Ordinary Shares underlying the Axalta PSU immediately prior to the Effective Time (based on the Axalta Deemed Performance Level) multiplied by the Exchange Ratio; provided that, if any fractional AkzoNobel

At the Effective Time, each Axalta PSU that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and (i) is held by a former Axalta Service Provider or (ii) for which the applicable performance period has been completed as of immediately prior to the Effective Time (each, Axalta PSU described in the foregoing subclauses (i) and (ii), a “Terminating Axalta PSU Award”), by virtue of the Merger and without any required action on the part of Axalta, AkzoNobel or any of their respective Affiliates or any holder of such Terminating Axalta PSU Award, shall fully vest (based on, for Terminating Axalta PSU Awards covered only under clause (i), the Axalta Deemed Performance Level or, for Terminating Axalta PSU Awards covered under clause (ii), based on actual performance through the last day of the applicable performance period (as determined in good faith by the Compensation Committee of the Axalta Board)) and be cancelled and converted automatically into the right to receive, with respect to each Axalta Ordinary Share underlying the Terminating Axalta PSU Award (determined as provided above), the AkzoNobel Share Consideration, as if such Terminating Axalta PSU Award had been settled in Axalta Ordinary Shares immediately prior to the Effective Time, plus cash in lieu of fractional shares as provided for under clause 2.3.5 of Schedule 4 (collectively, the “Terminating Axalta PSU Award Consideration”).

At the Effective Time, except as set forth in clause 11.1.6, each Axalta Option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, whether vested or unvested, by virtue of the Merger and without any required action on the part of Axalta, AkzoNobel or any of their respective Affiliates or any holder of such Axalta Option, shall be assumed by AkzoNobel and shall be converted into a stock option (each, an “Assumed Option”) with respect to a number of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share) equal to (a) the Exchange Ratio multiplied by (b) the number of Axalta Ordinary Shares underlying the Axalta Option immediately prior to the Effective Time, at an exercise price per share (rounded up to the nearest whole cent) equal to (i) the exercise price per share of Axalta Ordinary Shares of such Axalta Option divided by (ii) the Exchange Ratio. Each Assumed Option shall continue to have, and

At the Effective Time, each Axalta Option that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time and is held by a former Axalta Service Provider, whether vested or unvested, by virtue of the Merger and without any required action on the part of Axalta, AkzoNobel or any of their respective Affiliates or any holder of such Axalta Option, shall fully vest (if unvested) and be cancelled and converted automatically into the right to receive a number of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares (if any) equal to (a) the Exchange Ratio multiplied by (b) (i) the number of Axalta Shares underlying the Axalta Option immediately prior to the Effective Time less (ii) a number of Axalta Shares having a fair market value (determined by reference to the closing price of an Axalta Share on the trading day immediately preceding the Effective Time) equal to the aggregate exercise price applicable to such Axalta Option (the “Terminating Axalta Option Consideration”). For the avoidance of doubt, each such Axalta Option for which the applicable per-share exercise price exceeds the closing price of an Axalta Share on the trading day immediately preceding the Effective Time shall be cancelled as of the Effective Time for no consideration.

The Terminating Axalta RSU Award Consideration, Terminating Axalta PSU Award Consideration, Terminating Axalta Option Consideration, Fractional RSU Consideration and Fractional PSU Consideration shall be delivered as soon as reasonably practicable following the Effective Time and in no event later than Axalta’s second regularly scheduled payroll date following the Effective Time, and shall be reduced by any withholding Taxes required to be paid by or collected on behalf of the recipients (which withholding Taxes for any such consideration settleable in AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares shall be satisfied by retaining a number of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld). Notwithstanding anything in this clause 11.1.7 to the contrary, with respect to any Axalta RSU or Axalta PSU that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and that is not permitted to be treated as contemplated by this clause 11.1.7 at the Effective Time without triggering a Tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code, such payment shall be made at the earliest time permitted under the applicable Axalta Equity Plan and applicable award agreement that will not trigger a Tax or penalty under Section 409A of the Code.

Prior to the Effective Time, Axalta, the Axalta Board or the appropriate committee thereof shall adopt any resolutions, provide any notices, and take any other action reasonably necessary to effectuate the provisions of clauses 11.1.1 through 11.1.7.

Prior to the Effective Time, AkzoNobel and the AkzoNobel Boards or any appropriate committee thereof shall take all corporate actions that are reasonably necessary for the assumption of the Assumed RSU Awards, Assumed PSU Awards and Assumed Options pursuant to clauses 11.1.1, 11.1.3 and 11.1.5, including the reservation, issuance and listing of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares as necessary to effect the transactions contemplated by clauses 11.1.1, 11.1.3 and 11.1.5. As soon as practicable following the Effective Time, MergeCo shall file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-8 (or any successor or other appropriate form) to register the issuance of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares underlying such Assumed RSU Awards, Assumed PSU Awards and Assumed Options to holders of such Assumed RSU Awards, Assumed PSU Awards and Assumed Options, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to maintain the effectiveness of such registration statement for so long as such Assumed RSU Awards, Assumed PSU Awards and Assumed Options remain outstanding.

AkzoNobel Equity Plans

At the Effective Time, each AkzoNobel RSU that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain outstanding following the Effective Time, and shall continue to have, and shall be subject to, the same terms and conditions as applied to such AkzoNobel RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time (including the requirement to perform continued services to satisfy applicable time-based vesting conditions and any “double-trigger’’ vesting provisions applicable to such AkzoNobel RSUs in accordance with Part A of the Disclosure Letter).

At the Effective Time, each AkzoNobel PSU that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger and without any required action on the part of AkzoNobel, Axalta or any of their respective Affiliates or any holder of such AkzoNobel PSU, shall be converted into a restricted stock unit award (each, a “Continuing AkzoNobel PSU Award”) that settles (subject to the satisfaction of the applicable time-based vesting conditions) in a number of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares equal to the number of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares underlying the AkzoNobel PSU immediately prior to the Effective Time (based on the AkzoNobel Deemed Performance Level). Each Continuing AkzoNobel PSU Award shall continue to have, and shall be subject to, the same terms and conditions as applied to the corresponding AkzoNobel PSU (other than performance-based vesting conditions) immediately prior to the Effective Time (including the requirement to perform continued services to satisfy applicable time-based vesting conditions and any “double-trigger” vesting provisions applicable to such AkzoNobel PSUs in accordance with Part A of the Disclosure Letter).

At the Effective Time, each AkzoNobel SMR that is outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain outstanding following the Effective Time and shall continue to have, and shall be subject to, the same terms and conditions as applied to such AkzoNobel SMR immediately prior to the Effective Time (including the requirement to perform continued services to satisfy applicable time-based vesting conditions and any “double-trigger” vesting provisions applicable to the AkzoNobel SMRs in accordance with Part A of the Disclosure Letter).

Prior to the Effective Time, AkzoNobel, the AkzoNobel Management Board or the AkzoNobel Supervisory Board or the appropriate committee thereof shall adopt any resolutions, provide notices, and take any other action reasonably necessary to effectuate the provisions of clauses 11.2.1 through 11.2.3.

Post-Completion Equity Plans

As soon as reasonably possible after the date of this Agreement but in any event prior to Completion, AkzoNobel and Axalta shall in good faith develop and agree on appropriate equity or equity-based incentive plans and programs for all or some of the directors of MergeCo and employees of MergeCo and its Subsidiaries to be implemented for the period commencing on, and taking effect on, the Completion Date (the “Post-Completion Equity Plans”).

As soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, and in any event within fifteen (15) Business Days after the date of this Agreement, the Parties shall establish a steering committee to coordinate the process to develop the Post-Completion Equity Plans and agree on the structure and implementation of the Post-Completion Equity Plans (the “SteerCo”). Each Party shall appoint two (2) representatives to the SteerCo. The SteerCo shall:

meet regularly (which may be via video or teleconference) to discuss the Post-Completion Equity Plans;

ensure that a remuneration advisor of good standing, with the required experience in respect of incentive plans applicable to companies of the size, nature and reach of MergeCo, will be engaged as soon as reasonably practicable, and coordinate with and instruct such remuneration advisor to advise on the design and set up of the Post-Completion Equity Plans, it being understood that the costs to engage such advisor for such services rendered prior to Completion shall be split evenly between AkzoNobel and Axalta; and

develop a timeline, specific milestones and decision-making process for the development, approval and implementation of the Post-Completion Equity Plans, taking into account any statutory employee co-determination requirements.

Tax

INTERIM PERIOD AND FURTHER UNDERTAKINGS

Conduct during Interim Period

Subject to applicable Competition Laws, during the period from the date of this Agreement until the earlier of (i) the Effective Time or (ii) the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with clause 15 (Termination) (such period being referred to as the “Interim Period”), each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall:

use its reasonable best efforts to conduct its business, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries conduct their businesses, in the ordinary course of business in all material respects;

use its reasonable best efforts to (i) preserve intact its business organization and material business relationships with manufacturers, suppliers, vendors, distributors, Governmental Authorities, customers, licensors, licensees and other third parties with which it has material business relationships and (ii) keep available the services of its present officers and key employees; and

comply, and procure that its Subsidiaries shall comply, with the covenants set out in Schedule 7 (Interim Period: AkzoNobel) or Schedule 8 (Interim Period: Axalta), as applicable.

Nothing in clause 12.1.1 restricts any member of the AkzoNobel Group or the Axalta Group from taking any action or refraining from taking any action:

expressly contemplated or expressly permitted by this Agreement;

consented to in advance by, in the case of the AkzoNobel Group, Axalta and, in the case of the Axalta Group, AkzoNobel, in each case, in writing (which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, conditioned or delayed);

set forth on Part A of the Disclosure Letter (Interim Period Exceptions: AkzoNobel) or Part B of the Disclosure Letter (Interim Period Exceptions: Axalta); or

required to comply with any Applicable Law.

When requested to grant its consent pursuant to clause 12.1.2(b), the other Party shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, and in any event within ten (10) Business Days, after having received a written request pursuant to clause 20.9 for consent containing all information reasonably required in connection with such request, inform (e-mail being sufficient) the other Party whether or not it consents to the proposed action, failing which the consent will be deemed to have been given.

Third party consents

Merger Planning

Subject to applicable Competition Laws or other Applicable Law, each of AkzoNobel and Axalta will use their respective reasonable best efforts to provide, and will procure that their respective Subsidiaries and respective Representatives will use their respective reasonable best efforts to provide, upon reasonable prior written notice and during normal business hours, the other Party and its advisors reasonable access to such Party’s and its Subsidiaries’ officers, senior employees, premises, documents and advisors, and all such information and documentation thereof, as may reasonably be requested by the other Party to make the necessary preparations for the implementation of the Merger.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject to applicable Competition Laws or other Applicable Law, each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall use its reasonable best efforts to (i) give the requesting Party and its advisors access to such information and (ii) give such presentations and provide such financial information and forecasts, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), to the extent reasonably requested by the requesting Party:

to complete any necessary filings and notifications;

for benchmarking and preparation purposes; or

otherwise to progress the Merger or any other transactions as contemplated in or required to give performance to this Agreement.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, neither AkzoNobel or Axalta nor any of their respective Affiliates or Representatives shall be required to:

take any action that, in the good faith determination of the Party receiving the request, would unreasonably interfere with the conduct of its or its Subsidiaries’ business or create an unreasonable risk of damage or destruction to any property or assets of such Party or any of its Subsidiaries;

provide (i) any information the disclosure of which is prohibited or restricted under any Applicable Law or subject to legal privilege or (ii) any information with respect to which the Party receiving the request or any of its Subsidiaries owes a duty of contractual confidentiality to a third-party or for which disclosure would cause competitive harm to the Party receiving the request or its Subsidiaries if the Merger is not consummated; or

take any action that would conflict with or violate any Applicable Law,

Any information provided by or on behalf of a Party under this clause 12.3 or knowledge obtained in any review or investigation pursuant to this clause 12.3 shall be held in confidence pursuant to the terms of the Confidentiality Agreement. No investigation by either AkzoNobel or Axalta or their respective Representatives shall affect or be deemed to modify or waive the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of the other set forth herein. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall give either AkzoNobel or Axalta, directly or indirectly, the right to control or direct the operations of the other Party prior to the Effective Time. Prior to the Effective Time, each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall exercise, consistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, complete control and supervision over its and its Subsidiaries’ respective operations.

MergeCo Remuneration Policy

The Parties shall discuss in good faith and mutually agree on the MergeCo Remuneration Policy, as soon as reasonably practicable after the date of this Agreement, and in any event prior to the initial filing of the Form F-4, taking into account the terms set forth in this Agreement, current compensation entitlements and market practice in relevant jurisdictions.

EXCLUSIVITY

Exclusivity

For the purposes of this Agreement, the “Exclusivity Period” shall mean the period commencing on the date of this Agreement and ending on the earlier of the Effective Time and the valid termination of this Agreement in accordance with clause 15 (Termination).

During the Exclusivity Period, except as expressly permitted pursuant to clause 14 (Superior Proposal), each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall not, and shall ensure that its Subsidiaries and its and its Subsidiaries’ directors, officers and employees shall not, and shall direct its and its Subsidiaries’ agents, advisers or other Representatives acting on its or its Subsidiaries’ behalf (together the “Relevant Persons”) not to:

directly or indirectly, initiate, approach, solicit or knowingly encourage (including by way of furnishing non-public information or confidential information or data), or knowingly facilitate or knowingly induce, any inquiry or the making, submission or announcement of any proposal, request or offer that constitutes, or would reasonably be expected to lead to or result in, an Alternative Proposal;

enter into, continue or participate in any discussions or negotiations with any third-party with respect to an Alternative Proposal (other than informing third parties of the provisions contained in this clause 13 and clause 14);

provide any non-public or confidential information or data (including by granting access to its books or records) relating to the AkzoNobel Group or Axalta Group, as applicable, or their respective businesses to any third party with respect to an Alternative Proposal;

grant any waiver, amendment or release of or under, or fail to enforce, any confidentiality, standstill or similar agreement (or any confidentiality, standstill or similar provision of any other contract);

approve or recommend, or propose publicly to approve or recommend, any Alternative Proposal;

approve, adopt, enter into or recommend, or propose to approve, adopt enter into or recommend, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, business combination agreement, joint-venture agreement, option agreement, partnership agreement or other similar agreement relating to any Alternative Proposal or any offer or proposal that would reasonably be expected to lead to an Alternative Proposal; or

propose publicly or agree to do any of the foregoing.

During the Exclusivity Period, the relevant Party (i) shall promptly (and in any event within twenty-four (24) hours) provide the other Party with written notice of the receipt of, and the material terms and conditions of, and the identity of the Person(s) making, any Alternative Proposal or any written communication, invitation, approach or enquiry, or any request for non-public information, received by such Party or any of its Relevant Persons with respect to, or that would reasonably be expected to lead to, any Alternative Proposal, and (ii) shall keep the other Party informed on a reasonably prompt basis (and in any case, within twenty-four (24) hours) of any significant development of (including any significant amendment or proposed amendment to) such Alternative Proposal or other written communication, invitation, approach, enquiry, or request for non-public information with respect to, or that would reasonably be expected to lead to, any Alternative Proposal (including by delivering copies of any proposals, counterproposals and drafts of agreements exchanged between the relevant Party or any of its Relevant Persons, on the one hand, and such third-party, on the other hand). Following receipt of an Alternative Proposal, the relevant Party shall continue to cooperate with and support the Merger subject to the terms and upon the conditions of this Agreement.

Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta hereby confirms that it and its Relevant Persons are on the date of this Agreement not in contact, discussions or negotiations with any third-party regarding an Alternative Proposal.

SUPERIOR PROPOSAL

Superior Proposal

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in clause 4, in respect of AkzoNobel prior to the satisfaction of the Merger Condition included in clause 3.1.1(e) and in respect of Axalta prior to the satisfaction of the Merger Condition included in clause 3.1.1(f), in the event that (i) AkzoNobel or Axalta receives an unsolicited bona fide written Alternative Proposal that did not result from a material breach of clause 13 (Exclusivity) (such Party, the “Offeree”), made by a Person who, in the reasonable opinion of the AkzoNobel Boards or the Axalta Board, as applicable, is a bona fide third-party and (ii) the AkzoNobel Boards or the Axalta Board, as applicable, determines in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that such proposal is or would reasonably be expected to result in an AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or an Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable:

the Offeree shall be permitted to provide non-public information with respect to it and its Subsidiaries to the Person(s) making such Alternative Proposal, but only if (i) such Person(s) has entered into a confidentiality agreement with the Offeree containing material terms that are not materially less restrictive in the aggregate than the Confidentiality Agreement, and which shall not contain any exclusivity provision or other term that would restrict, in any manner, the Offeree’s ability to consummate the Merger and any other transactions as contemplated in or required to give performance to this Agreement or to comply with its disclosure obligations to the other Party pursuant to this Agreement, and (ii) prior to or contemporaneously with furnishing any such non-public information to such Person(s), it furnishes such non-public information to the other Party to the extent the other Party has not previously been provided with such information; and

the Offeree shall be permitted to consider such Alternative Proposal and engage in discussions or negotiations regarding such Alternative Proposal.

As soon as the AkzoNobel Boards or the Axalta Board, as applicable, has determined that an Alternative Proposal does not constitute an AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or an Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable, the Offeree shall, to the extent permitted under Applicable Law, inform the other Party promptly thereof and shall confirm to the other Party that the AkzoNobel Boards or the Axalta Board, as applicable, continue to unanimously support and recommend the Merger and that the Offeree has ceased to consider such Alternative Proposal and terminated discussions and negotiations regarding such Alternative Proposal and has requested the return or destruction of all confidential information provided to the Person(s) making such Alternative Proposal, it being understood that these confirmations by the Offeree will be made public if such Alternative Proposal has also been communicated in public.

As soon as the AkzoNobel Boards or the Axalta Board, as applicable, has determined, at any time prior to the satisfaction of, in respect of AkzoNobel, the Merger Condition included in clause 3.1.1(e), and in respect of Axalta, the Merger Condition included in clause 3.1.1(f), that an Alternative Proposal constitutes an AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or an Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable, and subsequently accepts such AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable, (i) the Offeree may terminate this Agreement and (ii) the AkzoNobel Boards or the Axalta Board, as applicable, may make an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change or an Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change, as applicable, provided that, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii):

such AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable, did not result from a material breach by the Offeree of its obligations under clause 13 (Exclusivity) or clause 14 (Superior Proposal);

the Offeree shall have provided to the other Party four (4) Business Days’ prior written notice, which shall (A) state expressly that it proposes to enter into such AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable, (B) include the material terms and conditions of such AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable (including the consideration or exchange ratio offered therein and the identity of the Person(s) that would enter into such AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable), (C) include an unredacted copy of the definitive agreement in respect thereof and all other written materials, proposals, agreements or documents related to the AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable, exchanged between the Offeree, on the one hand, and the Person(s) making such AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable, on the other hand (it being understood and agreed that any amendment to the financial terms or any other material term or condition of such AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable, shall require a new notice and a new two (2) Business Day period) and (D) state expressly that, subject to clause (c) below:

the AkzoNobel Boards have determined to effect an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change or terminate this Agreement in accordance with clause 15.1.1(f), and have determined, in good faith, after consultation with their outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that the failure to effect an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change or terminate this Agreement in accordance with clause 15.1.1(f), would be inconsistent with their fiduciary duties under the laws of The Netherlands; or

the Axalta Board has determined to effect an Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change or terminate this Agreement in accordance with clause 15.1.1(f), and has determined, in good faith, after consultation with its outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that the failure to effect an Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change or terminate this Agreement in accordance with clause 15.1.1(f), would be inconsistent with its fiduciary duties under the laws of Bermuda; and

no earlier than the end of the four (4) or two (2) Business Day period, as applicable, the AkzoNobel Boards or Axalta Board, as applicable, shall have determined, in good faith, after consultation with their outside legal counsel and financial advisors, that, in light of such AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable, and taking into account any revised terms proposed by the other Party, such Alternative Proposal continues to constitute an AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or an Axalta Superior Proposal, as applicable, and that the failure to effect an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change or Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change, as applicable, or terminate this Agreement in accordance with clause 15.1.1(f) would continue to be inconsistent with the fiduciary duties of the AkzoNobel Boards under the laws of the Netherlands or the fiduciary duties of the Axalta Board under the laws of Bermuda, as applicable.

TERMINATION

Termination by AkzoNobel or Axalta

This Agreement and the rights and obligations hereunder will terminate:

if AkzoNobel and Axalta agree so in writing;

by notice in writing given by either of AkzoNobel or Axalta to the other, if (x) a court or other Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction has issued an Order or (y) if any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction has enacted after the date hereof an Applicable Law that remains in force and effect, in the case of each of (x) and (y):

in an Applicable Jurisdiction, to the extent related to a Competition Law or Foreign Investment Law; or

to the extent not related to a Competition Law or Foreign Investment Law, in a Material Business Jurisdiction,

by notice in writing given by either of AkzoNobel or Axalta to the other, if any of the Merger Conditions have not been satisfied or waived by the relevant Party or Parties in accordance with this Agreement by 23:59 Central European Time on 18 May 2027 (the “Initial Long Stop Date”); provided, however, that if Completion has not occurred by such date and time and at such date and time the Merger Conditions set out in (i) clause 3.1.1(k), if the Order or Applicable Law relates to or is based on a Regulatory Clearance, or (ii) clause 3.1.1(a) have not been satisfied or waived in accordance with this Agreement and each of the other Merger Conditions has been satisfied or waived or remains capable of satisfaction as of the Initial Long Stop Date, then the Initial Long Stop Date shall automatically be extended to 18 November 2027 (the “Extended Long Stop Date”); provided, further, that the right to terminate this Agreement pursuant to this clause 15.1.1(c) shall not be available to any Party whose breach of any provision of this Agreement has been the proximate cause of the non-satisfaction of the relevant Merger Condition;

prior to the adoption of the AkzoNobel Completion Resolutions, by notice in writing given by Axalta to AkzoNobel following an AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change;

prior to the adoption of the Axalta Completion Resolution, by notice in writing given by AkzoNobel to Axalta following an Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change;

by notice in writing given by either of AkzoNobel or Axalta to the other in connection with such first Party’s acceptance of an AkzoNobel Superior Proposal or an Axalta Superior Proposal, respectively, subject to, and in accordance with, the terms and conditions of clause 14.1.3;

by notice in writing given by Axalta to AkzoNobel if any of the representations and warranties of AkzoNobel contained in Schedule 9 (Representations and Warranties of AkzoNobel) fails to be true and correct, which failure (i) would give rise to the failure of the Merger Condition set out in clause 3.1.1(c) (Breach Representations and Warranties of AkzoNobel) and (ii) (x) is not reasonably capable of being cured by the Long Stop Date or (y) if such failure is reasonably capable of being cured by AkzoNobel, is not cured by AkzoNobel within thirty (30) calendar days after the delivery by Axalta of written notice of such failure to AkzoNobel (or, if sooner, the Long Stop Date); provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this clause 15.1.1(g) shall not be available to Axalta if it is then in breach of this Agreement such that the Merger Condition set out in clause 3.1.1(d) (Breach Representations and Warranties and Covenants of Axalta) would not be satisfied at such time;

by notice in writing given by AkzoNobel to Axalta if any of the representations and warranties of Axalta contained in Schedule 10 (Representations and Warranties of Axalta) fails to be true and correct, which failure (i) would give rise to the failure of the Merger Condition set out in clause 3.1.1(d) (Breach Representations and Warranties of Axalta) and (ii) (x) is not reasonably capable of being cured by the Long Stop Date or (y) if such failure is reasonably capable of being cured by Axalta, is not cured by Axalta within thirty (30) calendar days after the delivery by AkzoNobel of written notice of such failure to Axalta (or, if sooner, the Long Stop Date), provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this clause 15.1.1(h) shall not be available to AkzoNobel if it is then in breach of this Agreement such that the Merger Condition set out in clause 3.1.1(c) (Breach Representations and Warranties and Covenants of AkzoNobel) would not be satisfied at such time;

by notice in writing given by either of AkzoNobel or Axalta to the other, if such other Party (i) has breached or failed to perform any of its covenants or obligations contained herein in any material respect or (ii) has committed Fraud with respect to the covenants or obligations contained herein, in each case, to the extent that any such breach, failure or Fraud:

has or would reasonably be expected to have material adverse consequences for the Merger or either or both of AkzoNobel and Axalta; and

has not been remedied by the earlier of (i) thirty (30) days after receipt by such other Party of a written notice from the terminating Party of such breach and (ii) the Long Stop Date, provided that the right to terminate this Agreement under this clause 15.1.1(i) shall not be available to a Party if it is then in breach of this Agreement such that the Merger Condition set out in, in the case of AkzoNobel, clause 3.1.1(c) (Breach Representations and Warranties and Covenants of AkzoNobel) or, in the case of Axalta, clause 3.1.1(d) (Breach Representations and Warranties and Covenants of Axalta) would not be satisfied at such time;

by notice in writing given by either AkzoNobel or Axalta to the other if the AkzoNobel EGM (including any postponement or adjournment thereof) has concluded and the AkzoNobel Completion Resolutions are not adopted; or

by notice in writing given by either AkzoNobel or Axalta to the other if the Axalta EGM (including any postponement or adjournment thereof) has concluded and the Axalta Completion Resolution is not adopted.

Consequence of Termination

TERMINATION PAYMENT

Termination Payment AkzoNobel

Axalta pursuant to clause 15.1.1(d) (AkzoNobel Adverse Recommendation Change), in which case payment shall be made within five (5) calendar days following such termination;

AkzoNobel pursuant to clause 15.1.1(f) (Superior Proposal) in connection with an AkzoNobel Superior Proposal, in which case payment shall be made on the date of such termination;

or

AkzoNobel or Axalta pursuant to clause 15.1.1(c) (Long Stop Date);

Axalta or AkzoNobel pursuant to clause 15.1.1(j) (Failure to Adopt AkzoNobel Completion Resolutions);

Axalta pursuant to clause 15.1.1(g) (Failure of Merger Condition with respect to AkzoNobel Representations); or

Axalta pursuant to clause 15.1.1(i) (Breach of AkzoNobel Covenants),

prior to such termination and after the date of this Agreement, an Alternative Proposal with respect to AkzoNobel was publicly announced, publicly made known or, except in the case of clause (c)(ii), made to either of the AkzoNobel Boards and, in each case, not withdrawn; and

on or prior to the twelve (12) month anniversary of such termination of this Agreement, (x) a transaction constituting an Alternative Proposal with respect to AkzoNobel is consummated or (y) a definitive agreement providing for an Alternative Proposal with respect to AkzoNobel is entered into by AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries, in which case payment shall be made no later than the earlier to occur of (I) consummation of such Alternative Proposal or (II) such definitive agreement being entered into.

Termination Payment Axalta

AkzoNobel pursuant to clause 15.1.1(e) (Axalta Adverse Recommendation Change), in which case payment shall be made within five (5) calendar days following such termination;

Axalta pursuant to clause 15.1.1(f) (Superior Proposal) in connection with an Axalta Superior Proposal, in which case payment shall be made on the date of such termination;

or

AkzoNobel or Axalta pursuant to clause 15.1.1(c) (Long Stop Date);

Axalta or AkzoNobel pursuant to clause 15.1.1(k) (Failure to Adopt Axalta Completion Resolution);

AkzoNobel pursuant to clause 15.1.1(h) (Failure of Merger Condition with respect to Axalta Representations); or

AkzoNobel pursuant to clause 15.1.1(i) (Breach of Axalta Covenants),

prior to such termination and after the date of this Agreement, an Alternative Proposal with respect to Axalta was publicly announced, publicly made known, or, except in the case of clause (c)(ii), made to the Axalta Board and, in each case, not withdrawn; and

on or prior to the twelve (12) month anniversary of such termination of this Agreement, (x) a transaction constituting an Alternative Proposal with respect to Axalta is consummated or (y) a definitive agreement providing for an Alternative Proposal with respect to Axalta is entered into by Axalta or any of its Subsidiaries, in which case payment shall be made no later than the earlier to occur of (I) consummation of such Alternative Proposal or (II) such definitive agreement being entered into.

Payment of Termination Payment

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in no event shall either AkzoNobel or Axalta be required to make the payment set forth in this clause 16 (Termination Payment) on more than one occasion.

Subject to clause 15.2, clause 16.5.2 and clause 16.5.3:

Axalta’s and AkzoNobel’s right to receive the termination payment pursuant to, respectively, clause 16.1 or clause 16.2 shall be without prejudice to any other claim for damages of that Party or any of its Affiliates against the other Party, each of its Subsidiaries and any of their respective former, current or future officers, directors, partners, stockholders, option holders, managers, employees, members, Affiliates, agents or advisors (collectively, “Related Parties”) for any losses or damages suffered or incurred in excess of the amount of the termination payment actually received by such Party as a result of, arising out of or in connection with the termination of this Agreement, the abandonment of the Merger or any breach or failure to perform hereunder or in connection with this Agreement; and

nothing in this clause 16 shall release any Party from liability arising out of any Fraud or Wilful Breach by such Party of any covenant or obligation of this Agreement.

Tax

The Parties shall take the position that any termination payment as referred to in clause 16 (Termination Payment) is (i) not treated as a supply of goods or a supply of services under the law governing VAT of any applicable European Union member state, or (ii) otherwise exempt from VAT. Except as otherwise required by Applicable Law, each Party shall act in a manner consistent with the foregoing, including filing Tax Returns consistent therewith, and shall use its reasonable best efforts to contest any contrary position in a Tax Audit or similar proceeding.

Notwithstanding clause 16.4.1, if any VAT is due by AkzoNobel in respect of the AkzoNobel Termination Payment by way of the reverse charge mechanism (btw-verleggingsregeling), such VAT shall be for the account of AkzoNobel. In no event shall any VAT be deducted from the AkzoNobel Termination Payment, and Axalta shall be under no obligation to reimburse AkzoNobel from any such VAT due by AkzoNobel.

Notwithstanding clause 16.4.1, if any VAT is due by Axalta in respect of the Axalta Termination Payment by way of a reverse charge mechanism or similar mechanism, such VAT shall be for the account of Axalta. In no event shall any VAT be deducted from the Axalta Termination Payment, and AkzoNobel shall be under no obligation to reimburse Axalta from any such VAT due by Axalta.

Specific Performance and Related Provisions

Each Party shall have the right to demand specific performance (nakoming vorderen) of the provisions of this Agreement by the other Parties. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur for which monetary damages, even if available, would not be an adequate remedy in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement are not performed in accordance with their specific terms or are otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to seek an injunction or injunctions in accordance with clause 20.11 (Governing law and forum) to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the performance of the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including the right of a Party to cause the other Parties to consummate the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, this being in addition to any other remedy to which they are entitled at law or in equity.

The Parties agree not to assert that a remedy of specific performance is unenforceable, invalid, contrary to Applicable Law or inequitable for any reason. In the event any Party seeks any remedy referred to in clause 16.5.1, such Party shall not be required to prove damages or obtain, furnish, provide or post any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtaining any remedy referred to in clause 16.5.1 and each Party waives any objection to the imposition of such relief or any right it may have to require the obtaining, furnishing, providing or posting of any such bond or similar instrument.

The Parties further agree that (i) by seeking the remedies provided for in clause 16.5.1, a Party shall not in any respect waive its right to seek any other form of relief that may be available to it under this Agreement, including, subject to clause 15.2, monetary damages in the event that this Agreement has been terminated or in the event that the remedies provided for in clause 16.5.1 are not available or otherwise are not granted, and (ii) nothing contained in this clause 16.5 shall require any Party hereto to institute any proceeding for (or limit such Party’s right to institute any proceeding for) specific performance under this clause 16.5 before exercising any termination right under clause 15.1 (or pursuing damages after such termination), nor shall the commencement of any action pursuant to this clause 16.5 or anything contained in this clause 16.5 restrict or limit any Party’s right to terminate this Agreement in accordance with the terms of clause 15.1 or pursue any other remedies under this Agreement that may be available then or thereafter. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall AkzoNobel or Axalta be entitled to both (i) specific performance to cause the other to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, and (ii) the payment of, as applicable, the Axalta Termination Payment or the AkzoNobel Termination Payment.

The provisions of Section 6:92, paragraphs 2 and 3 of the DCC shall, to the maximum extent possible, not apply. Each Party hereby waives any (potential) right it might have to request mitigation of such liability in any manner (in legal proceedings or otherwise).

Unless explicitly provided otherwise in this Agreement, any payment obligation of AkzoNobel or Axalta pursuant to clause 16 (Termination Payment) shall exist regardless of whether there is an attributable failure (toerekenbare tekortkoming) by AkzoNobel or Axalta, as applicable.

CONFIDENTIALITY AND PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcement, Filings and Other Public Statements

The execution of this Agreement will be announced immediately following its execution and in any event prior to the next opening of Euronext Amsterdam or, if earlier, prior to the next opening of NYSE following the execution of this Agreement by way of a press release issued jointly by AkzoNobel and Axalta (the “Joint Announcement”). A copy of the agreed Joint Announcement is attached hereto as Schedule 3 (Joint Announcement).

AkzoNobel and Axalta will reasonably cooperate in ensuring that all filings and notices related to the initial announcement of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, required under (i) the Securities Act, (ii) the Exchange Act, (iii) Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 of 16 April 2014 on market abuse (the “MAR”), (iv) the Dutch Act on Financial Supervision (Wet op het Financieel Toezicht) (the “Wft”) and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the Wft and (v) the applicable rules and regulations of the NYSE, in each case, are timely and properly made.

Following issuance of the Joint Announcement, AkzoNobel and Axalta shall consult with each other before issuing any other press release, making any other public statement or scheduling any press conference, conference call or meeting with investors or analysts with respect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, and, except as may be required by Applicable Law or any listing agreement with or rule of any national securities exchange or association, shall not issue any such press release, make any such other public statement or schedule any such press conference, conference call or meeting before such consultation (and, to the extent practicable and permitted by Applicable Law, shall provide copies of any such press release or public statement (or any scripts for any conference calls) to the other Party and shall consider in good faith the comments of the other Party), provided, that the restrictions set forth in this clause 17.1.3 shall not apply to any such press release or public statement (i) made or proposed to be made by AkzoNobel in compliance with clause 4, (ii) made or proposed to be made by Axalta in compliance with clause 4, (iii) that consists of information previously disclosed in previous press releases or public statements made by any Party in compliance with this clause 17 or (iv) in response to questions by the press, investors or analysts or those participating in investor calls or industry conferences, as long as such statements consist of information previously disclosed in previous press releases or public statements made by any Party in compliance with this clause 17.

Confidentiality Agreement

TAX MATTERS

Withholding

Subject to clauses 16.4.2 and 16.4.3, but notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, each of AkzoNobel and Axalta and any of their respective Affiliates or agents (including any third-party paying agent) shall be entitled to deduct and withhold from any payments under or in connection with this Agreement such amounts as AkzoNobel or Axalta or any of their respective Affiliates or agents are required to deduct and withhold with respect to any such payments under applicable Tax law. Subject to applicable Tax law, and without limiting the foregoing in this clause 18.1.1, each of AkzoNobel and Axalta and any of their respective Affiliates or agents (including any third-party paying agent) may retain a portion of the AkzoNobel Share Consideration otherwise payable to any Person pursuant to this Agreement and sell such retained AkzoNobel Share Consideration on behalf of such Person in order to make any deduction or withholding that is required to be made under applicable Tax law with respect to amounts payable to such Person. To the extent such amounts are so withheld and paid to the appropriate Governmental Authority by AkzoNobel, Axalta or any of their respective Affiliates or agents, as the case may be, they shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having been paid to such Person in respect of which such deduction and withholding was made. The Parties shall reasonably cooperate, and shall cause their respective Affiliates to reasonably cooperate, in order to reduce or eliminate any amounts that would otherwise be required to be deducted and withheld on payments made pursuant to this Agreement under applicable Tax laws in respect of Taxes.

U.S. Tax Matters

For U.S. federal income Tax purposes, it is the intent of the Parties that (i) the Merger and the Contribution, taken together, are treated as a single integrated transaction that qualifies as a “reorganization” under Section 368(a) of the Code, (ii) this Agreement constitutes, and is adopted as, a “plan of reorganization” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.368-2(g) and (iii) no owner of a direct or indirect interest in Axalta (other than an owner that owns five percent (5%) or more (applying the attribution rules of Section 318 of the Code, as modified by Section 958(b) of the Code) of either the total voting power or the total value of the stock of AkzoNobel for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.367(a)-3(b)(1) following the Merger and the Contribution that does not enter into a five-year gain recognition agreement pursuant to Treasury Regulations Section 1.367(a)-8(c)) should recognize gain under Section 367(a) of the Code in connection with the Merger and the Contribution (clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), together, the “Merger Intended Tax Treatment”).

Prior to the Effective Time, none of Axalta, AkzoNobel or any of their respective Subsidiaries shall take or cause to be taken any action that would reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger and the Contribution from qualifying for the Merger Intended Tax Treatment. Except as otherwise required by Applicable Law, the Parties shall, and shall cause their Affiliates to, treat, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Merger and the Contribution consistently with the Merger Intended Tax Treatment. No Party shall, or shall permit its Affiliates to, take any position for U.S. federal income Tax purposes inconsistent therewith, except to the extent otherwise required by a “determination” under Section 1313 of the Code or other Applicable Law. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, none of Axalta, AkzoNobel, any of their respective Subsidiaries or the Surviving Corporation shall have any liability or obligation to any holder of Axalta Ordinary Shares or AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares should the Merger or the Contribution fail to qualify for the Merger Intended Tax Treatment.

Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall notify the other in writing as soon as practicable if, before the Effective Time, such Party knows or has reason to believe that the Merger and the Contribution may not qualify for the Merger Intended Tax Treatment.

Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause its officers to execute and deliver to Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP or Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, as applicable, customary tax representation letters with respect to the Merger Intended Tax Treatment, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such advisor at such time or times as such advisor shall reasonably request, including (A) on the date the Form F-4 shall have been declared effective by the SEC, (B) on such other date(s) as determined reasonably necessary by such advisor in connection with the preparation and filing of the Form F-4, (C) at the Effective Time and (D) on such other dates as determined reasonably necessary or appropriate by such advisor.

Pillar 2 and CAMT

Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta shall cooperate in good faith and shall use its reasonable best efforts to seek to agree upon (i) the status of each of AkzoNobel and Axalta and their respective Subsidiaries under Pillar 2 or CAMT, (ii) the positions to be taken in any Tax Return for or with respect to Pillar 2 or CAMT and any elections or choices to be made under applicable Pillar 2 or CAMT Laws by each of the AkzoNobel Group and the Axalta Group, and their respective Affiliates, to the extent such actions would reasonably be expected to have material implications under, or in respect of, Pillar 2 or CAMT and (iii) ongoing consultation arrangements with respect to transactions that would reasonably be expected to have material implications for the each of the AkzoNobel Group and the Axalta Group under, or in respect of, Pillar 2 or CAMT, in each case subject to customary confidentiality and clean-team arrangements.

EMPLOYEE MATTERS

MergeCo agrees that each employee of AkzoNobel, Axalta or any of their respective Subsidiaries employed by MergeCo or any of its Subsidiaries as of immediately following the Effective Time (each such employee, a “Post-Merger Employee”) shall, during the period commencing at the Effective Time and ending on the first anniversary of the Effective Time, be provided with (i) a base salary or base wage rate, as applicable, that is no less favourable than the base salary or base wage rate, as applicable, provided to such Post-Merger Employee immediately prior to the Effective Time, (ii) target annual cash bonus opportunities that are no less favourable than the target annual cash bonus opportunities provided to such Post-Merger Employee immediately prior to the Effective Time, (iii) severance payments and benefits that are no less favourable than the severance payments and benefits applicable to such Post-Merger Employee immediately prior to the Effective Time and (iv) other compensation and benefits (excluding for this purpose, defined benefit pension, post-employment welfare benefits, equity-based compensation and change of control, retention or other one-time awards) that are substantially comparable in the aggregate to the compensation and benefits provided to such Post-Merger Employee immediately prior to the Effective Time.

For the avoidance of doubt, any contemplated changes to the emoluments of Post-Merger Employees mentioned in clause 19.1.1 after the period mentioned in clause 19.1.1 shall occur in accordance with Applicable Law.

From and after the Effective Time, with respect to any employee health, medical, dental, prescription drug or vision plans established or maintained by MergeCo or any of its Affiliates for the benefit of the Post-Merger Employees, MergeCo and its Affiliates shall use their respective reasonable best efforts to (i) waive any pre-existing condition, exclusion, actively-at-work requirement or waiting period under all such plans, except to the extent such pre-existing condition, exclusion, actively-at-work requirement or waiting period would have applied to such individual under the corresponding Axalta Benefit Plan or AkzoNobel Benefit Plan, as applicable, prior to the Effective Time and (ii) provide full credit for any co-payments, deductibles or similar payments made or incurred prior to the Effective Time for the plan year in which the Effective Time occurs.

From and after the Effective Time, MergeCo shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, use their respective reasonable best efforts to provide credit to Post-Merger Employees for their service with AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries or Axalta or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, as of or immediately prior to the Effective Time for all purposes as such service was credited under the AkzoNobel Benefit Plans or Axalta Benefit Plans, as applicable, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time; provided, however, that such service shall not be recognized to the extent that such recognition would result in a duplication of benefits or with respect to any defined benefit pension plan, retiree medical plan, equity or equity-based award granted after the Effective Time.

Notwithstanding the foregoing in this clause 19 and to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, with respect to any Post-Merger Employee who is, or becomes, subject to a Labour Agreement, all compensation and benefits treatment and terms and conditions of employment afforded to such Post-Merger Employee shall be provided in accordance with such Labour Agreement and the terms of this clause 19 shall not apply.

Any cash-based bonus, commission, sale or incentive plans or programs established by AkzoNobel or Axalta following the date of this Agreement shall be administered consistent with the terms set forth in paragraph (k) of Part A of the Disclosure Letter or paragraph (f) of Part B of the Disclosure Letter, as applicable. In addition, AkzoNobel shall take the actions described in paragraph (u) of Part A of the Disclosure Letter.

The provisions of this clause 19 are solely for the benefit of the Parties, and, without limiting the generality of clause 20.7, no Labour Organization, current or former AkzoNobel Service Provider or Axalta Service Provider, or any other individual associated with any of the foregoing, is or shall be regarded for any purpose as a third-party beneficiary of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (but without prejudice to clause 11), no provision of this Agreement is intended to, or does, (i) constitute the establishment of, or an amendment to, any Benefit Plan, (ii) alter or limit the ability of AkzoNobel or Axalta or any of their Affiliates to amend, modify or terminate any Benefit Plan or any other benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement, (iii) give any third party any right to enforce the provisions of this clause 19, (iv) subject to clause 7, prevent MergeCo or its Affiliates, after the Effective Time, from terminating the employment of any employee, individual consultant, individual independent contractor, individual self-employed contractor, leased or temporary employee or director or (v) be deemed to confer upon any Person any rights under or with respect to any Benefit Plan, and any such Person shall be entitled to look only to the express terms of any such Benefit Plan for his or her rights thereunder.

MISCELLANEOUS

Assignment

Costs

No waiver

No recission

Further assurances

Invalidity

Third party rights

Entire agreement and amendment

Notices

Any notices in connection with this Agreement must be:

in writing;

in English or, if there is no English version available, accompanied with an English translation. In the event of any conflict between the English text and the text in any other language, the English text shall prevail; and

delivered by hand, email, registered post or courier.

Axalta nominates the address referred to below as its place of residence at which notices may be served for all matters in connection with this Agreement:

AkzoNobel nominates the address referred to below as its place of residence at which notices may be served for all matters in connection with this Agreement:

A Party may from time to time nominate a different place of residence or contact person by notifying the other Party of that new place of residence or contact person in accordance with the terms hereof.

A notice will be effective upon receipt and will be deemed to have been received at the time of delivery (except, with respect to notice delivered via email, to the extent that a “bounce back” or similar message indicating non-delivery is received with respect thereto).

Counterparts

Governing law and forum

Except for (i) the requirements of the Parties under the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, which shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with the laws of the United States, and (ii) the requirements of AkzoNobel Sub, the board of directors of AkzoNobel Sub, Axalta and the Axalta Board under the Companies Act, which shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with the laws of Bermuda, each without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof, this Agreement shall be deemed to be made in, and in all respects shall be interpreted, construed and governed exclusively by and in accordance with the laws of the Netherlands without regard to the conflict of laws principles thereof.

Except as provided in clause 20.11.3, all disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement and the documents to be entered into pursuant to it, save as explicitly provided therein, including disputes concerning their existence and validity, shall be finally and exclusively resolved by arbitration in accordance with the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce in effect at the time of arbitration (the “ICC Rules”), taking into account that:

the Emergency Arbitrator Provisions shall not apply;

the Expedited Procedure Provisions shall not apply;

no award or procedural order made in the arbitration shall be published;

the place of the arbitration will be London, the United Kingdom. The language of the arbitration will be English. The tribunal will decide in accordance with the rules of law;

the arbitral tribunal will consist of three (3) arbitrators. Each of AkzoNobel and Axalta will nominate an arbitrator in accordance with the ICC Rules. The co-arbitrators will jointly nominate the president of the tribunal within twenty (20) Business Days after the last of their confirmations or appointments in the absence of which the ICC will appoint the president; and

the Parties agree to document production in accordance with the IBA Rules on Evidence in International Commercial Arbitration.

Prior to the constitution of an arbitral tribunal pursuant to clause 20.11.2, the Parties may request conservatory or interim measures pursuant to clause 16.5, including actions to enforce any award stemming from such measures, before the Netherlands Commercial Court, and each of the Parties hereby irrevocably consents to the jurisdiction of the Netherlands (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum, it being understood and agreed that the consents to jurisdiction and venue set forth in this clause 20.11.3 shall not be construed as general consents to service of process in such jurisdiction or venue.

Any arbitration award issued pursuant to this clause 20.11 (Governing law and forum) shall be final and binding on the Parties, and the Parties undertake to carry out any award without delay. Judgment on the award rendered by such arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction over the award or over the relevant Party or its assets. Each Party to any such dispute submitted to arbitration pursuant to this clause 20.11 (Governing law and forum) shall bear its own expenses and costs associated with the submission of such dispute to arbitration. By agreeing to arbitration, the Parties do not intend to deprive any court with jurisdiction of its ability to issue a preliminary injunction, attachment or other form of provisional remedy in aid of the arbitration and a request for such provisional remedies by a Party to a court shall not be deemed incompatible with, or a waiver of this agreement to arbitrate.

This clause 20.11 (Governing law and forum) shall also apply to disputes arising out of or in connection with agreements which are connected with this Agreement or the Merger, unless the relevant agreement expressly provides otherwise.

Rules of Construction

Akzo Nobel N.V.

Akzo Nobel N.V.

Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.

Definitions

any of the representations and warranties set forth in paragraph 1, 2.3, 2.4, 3 or 20 or clause (i) of paragraph 4 of Schedule 9 (Representations and Warranties of AkzoNobel) not being true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality”, a Material Adverse Effect or similar qualifications set forth therein) in all material respects as of Completion as if made on and as of Completion (except to the extent such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date);

any of the representations and warranties set forth in paragraph 2.1 of Schedule 9 (Representations and Warranties of AkzoNobel) not being true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality”, a Material Adverse Effect or similar qualifications set forth therein) in all respects as of Completion as if made on and as of Completion except for de minimis inaccuracies (except to the extent such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct except for de minimis inaccuracies as of such earlier date); and

any of the representations and warranties set forth in Schedule 9 (Representations and Warranties of AkzoNobel), other than those representations and warranties described in clause (a) and (b) of this definition, not being true and correct in all respects as of Completion as if made on and as of Completion (except to the extent such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except to the extent the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality”, a Material Adverse Effect or similar qualifications set forth therein) would, either individually or in the aggregate, not have a Material Adverse Effect;

is more favourable to AkzoNobel and its shareholders, employees and other stakeholders than the Merger, explicitly taking into account (i) the synergies expected to be realized by MergeCo in connection with the Merger and the percentage of MergeCo that the AkzoNobel shareholders will own and (ii) (A) the transaction structure, (B) the certainty of execution and (C) the strategic rationale, in each case, of the Merger compared to the Alternative Proposal;

is reasonably likely to be consummated on the terms proposed; and

to the extent third party financing is required, such financing is then fully committed with available funds certain evidenced by fully enforceable and binding financing commitments from a financial institution of internationally recognized reputation;

any of the representations and warranties set forth in paragraph 1, 2.3, 2.4 or 3 or clause (i) of paragraph 4 of Schedule 10 (Representations and Warranties of Axalta) not being true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality”, a Material Adverse Effect or similar qualifications set forth therein) in all material respects as of Completion as if made on and as of Completion (except to the extent such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date);

any of the representations and warranties set forth in paragraph 2.1 of Schedule 10 (Representations and Warranties of Axalta) not being true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality”, a Material Adverse Effect or similar qualifications set forth therein) in all respects as of Completion as if made on and as of Completion except for de minimis inaccuracies (except to the extent such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct except for de minimis inaccuracies as of such earlier date); and

any of the representations and warranties set forth in Schedule 10 (Representations and Warranties of Axalta), other than those representations and warranties described in clause (a) and (b) of this definition, not being true and correct in all respects as of Completion as if made on and as of Completion (except to the extent such representation and warranty expressly speaks as of an earlier date, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct as of such earlier date), except to the extent the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct (without giving effect to any limitation as to “materiality”, a Material Adverse Effect or similar qualifications set forth therein) would, either individually or in the aggregate, not have a Material Adverse Effect;

is more favourable to Axalta than the Merger, explicitly taking into account (i) the synergies expected to be realized by MergeCo in connection with the Merger and the percentage of MergeCo that the Axalta shareholders will own and (ii) (A) the transaction structure, (B) the certainty of execution and (C) the strategic rationale, in each case, of the Merger compared to the Alternative Proposal;

is reasonably likely to be consummated on the terms proposed; and

to the extent third party financing is required, such financing is then fully committed with available funds certain evidenced by fully enforceable and binding financing commitments from a financial institution of internationally recognized reputation;

any Alternative Proposal, or any inquiry, offer, or proposal that constitutes or would reasonably be expected to lead to an Alternative Proposal, or any matter relating thereto or consequence thereof;

any change, event, occurrence or effect in respect of the other Party, provided that the exception in this clause (b) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that such change, event, occurrence or effect, to the extent in respect of the Party claiming the occurrence of an Intervening Event, has resulted in, or contributed to, an Intervening Event with respect to such Party (unless otherwise excluded by another prong of this definition);

the fact that AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries or Axalta and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, meet or exceed any internal or public projections or forecasts or estimates of revenues or earnings for any period, provided that the exception in this clause (c) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change, event, occurrence or effect underlying such fact has resulted in, or contributed to, an Intervening Event (unless otherwise excluded by another prong of this definition);

a change in the market price, or change in trading volume, of the Axalta Ordinary Shares on the NYSE or the AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares on Euronext Amsterdam, as applicable, or any other capital stock or debt securities of the relevant Party, provided that the exception in this clause (d) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change, event, occurrence or effect underlying such change has resulted in, or contributed to, an Intervening Event (unless otherwise excluded by another prong of this definition);

the Regulatory Clearances or any matters relating thereto or arising therefrom, including any actions taken pursuant to clause 3.5;

any change, event, occurrence or effect resulting from acts of war (whether or not declared), civil disobedience, hostilities, sabotage, terrorism, military actions, expropriation, nationalization or the escalation of any of the foregoing, any hurricane, flood, tornado, earthquake or other natural disaster, changes in weather conditions, epidemic, plague, pandemic or any other outbreak of illness or other public health event;

changes in or the imposition of any tariffs, or any actions relating to trade wars;

the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the announcement or pendency of the Merger (including by reason of the identity of the other Parties or their Affiliates), including the impact thereof on the relationships, contractual or otherwise, of AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries or Axalta and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, with employees, customers, landlords, suppliers or partners (including the termination, suspension or modification of any such relationships); or

any events, developments, changes or circumstances related to, or any consequences of, the foregoing (other than to the extent explicitly carved-out in limbs (b), (c) and (d)),

is, or would reasonably be expected to be, materially adverse to the financial condition, business or results of operations of AkzoNobel or Axalta, as applicable, and its respective Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

prevents or would reasonably be expected to prevent, materially delay or materially impair the ability of AkzoNobel or Axalta, as applicable, to consummate the Merger,

changes in the economy, credit, capital, securities or financial markets or political, regulatory or business conditions in the United States, The Netherlands or elsewhere in the world where the AkzoNobel Group or the Axalta Group, as applicable, operates or where any of its products or services are sold;

changes that are the result of factors generally affecting the industries, markets or geographical areas in which the AkzoNobel Group or the Axalta Group, as applicable, operates;

changes in Dutch GAAP, U.S. GAAP, IFRS, applicable stock exchange rules or listing standards or any Law, or in the interpretation or enforcement thereof, after the date of this Agreement;

any failure by AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries or Axalta and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, to meet any internal or public projections or forecasts or estimates of revenues or earnings for any period, provided that the exception in this clause (iv) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change, event, occurrence or effect underlying such failure has resulted in, or contributed to, a Material Adverse Effect (unless otherwise excluded by another prong of this definition);

any change, event, occurrence or effect resulting from acts of war (whether or not declared), civil disobedience, hostilities, sabotage, terrorism, military actions, expropriation, nationalization or the escalation of any of the foregoing, any hurricane, flood, tornado, earthquake or other natural disaster, changes in weather conditions, epidemic, plague, pandemic or any other outbreak of illness or other public health event;

any litigation arising from allegations of any breach of fiduciary duty or allegations of violation of Law, in each case, relating to the Merger;

any actions taken or omitted to be taken by AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries or Axalta or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, that are required to be taken or omitted to be taken by this Agreement (other than clause 12.1) or any actions taken or omitted to be taken with, in the case of AkzoNobel, at Axalta’s written request, and, in the case of Axalta, at AkzoNobel’s written request;

any change or announcement of a potential change in the credit rating or other rating of financial strength of AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its securities or Axalta or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its securities, as applicable, provided that the exception in this clause (viii) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change, event, occurrence or effect underlying such change or potential change has resulted in, or contributed to, a Material Adverse Effect (unless otherwise excluded by another prong of this definition);

a decline in the market price, or change in trading volume, of the Axalta Ordinary Shares on the NYSE or the AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares on Euronext Amsterdam, as applicable, or any other capital stock or debt securities of the relevant Party, provided that the exception in this clause (ix) shall not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that any change, event, occurrence or effect underlying such decline has resulted in, or contributed to, a Material Adverse Effect (unless otherwise excluded by another prong of this definition); and

any fact or development, including any advice, interim judgment, judgment, settlement or Order, in connection with, or any facts, developments, circumstances or allegations underlying (including additional claims or proceedings brought by any Ichthys Party, related to, or based upon substantially the same facts or circumstances as the facts from) the Ichthys Litigation; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, this clause (x) shall not apply to any fact, development, circumstance or allegation related to the application of any AkzoNobel product other than the Ichthys Products on the In-Scope Ichthys Project;

the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the announcement or pendency of the Merger (including by reason of the identity of the other Parties or their Affiliates), including the impact thereof on the relationships, contractual or otherwise, of AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries or Axalta and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, with employees, customers, landlords, suppliers or partners (including the termination, suspension or modification of any such relationships), provided, that the exception in this clause (x) shall not apply for purposes of the representations and warranties in clauses 5 or 6, respectively, that are expressly intended to address the consequences of the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or the consummation of the Merger, or the Merger Conditions in clauses 3.1.1 (c) or 3.1.1 (d), respectively, with respect thereto;

Construction

In this Agreement, unless a contrary indication appears:

any reference to a “Party” also refers to its successors in title, permitted assignees and permitted transferees;

a “Person” includes any individual, corporation (including not-for-profit), general or limited partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, estate, trust, association, unincorporated association, organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof or other entity of any kind or nature;

“as of” includes the day or moment referred to by it;

“including” means including without limitation (whether or not such words or similar words are set forth), and all derivate terms are to be construed accordingly;

“to the extent” means the degree to which a subject or other thing extends, and such phrase shall not mean simply “if”;

the words “hereof”, “herein” and “hereunder” and words of similar import, when used in this Agreement, shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement;

terms defined in the singular shall have a comparable meaning when used in the plural, and vice versa;

references to USD refer to U.S. dollars and references to EUR refer to European Union Euros;

references herein to this “Agreement” shall refer to “this Agreement and the Bermuda Statutory Merger Agreement” as the context requires;

references herein (whether capitalized or not) to a specific clause, subclause, recital, Schedule, Exhibit, or Disclosure Letter shall refer, respectively, to clauses, subclauses, recitals, schedules, exhibits, or disclosure letters of this Agreement;

with respect to the determination of any period of time, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to but excluding”;

the word “or” shall be disjunctive but not exclusive;

the word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”;

“writing”, “written” and comparable terms refer to printing, typing and other means of reproducing in a visible form;

words “made available to AkzoNobel” and “made available to Axalta” and words of similar import refer to AkzoNobel Disclosed Information or Axalta Disclosed Information, as applicable;

references herein to any law shall be deemed to refer to such law as amended, modified, codified, re-enacted, supplemented or superseded in whole or in part and in effect from time to time and to all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (whether or not such words or similar words are set forth);

if the last day for the giving of any notice or the performance of any action required or permitted under this Agreement is a day that is not a Business Day, then the time for the giving of such notice or the performance of such action, unless otherwise required by Applicable Law, shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day; and

references herein to “as of the date of this Agreement” or words of similar import shall be deemed to mean “as of immediately prior to the execution and delivery of this Agreement.”

The Disclosure Letter and the Schedules are part of this Agreement.

Headings do not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or the rights of the Parties hereunder.

Where the context permits, any reference to a gender includes all gender.

it shall give its prior approval to the proposal to amend AkzoNobel’s articles of association in accordance with the MergeCo Articles of Association, pursuant to which, among other things, the AkzoNobel Priority Shares will be converted into AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares (such AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares, the “Stichting Converted Shares”) and all rights that accrue to the Stichting as sole holder of the AkzoNobel Priority Shares will lapse;

it shall vote all of the AkzoNobel Priority Shares held by the Stichting from time to time in favour of the AkzoNobel Resolutions and against any resolution or other vote (stemming) that would, or would reasonably be expected to, delay, prevent, condition or impede, in whole or in part, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the Merger;

it shall not consent to, cooperate with, take or omit to take any action that would, or would reasonably be expected to, (i) result in any Merger Condition as set forth in the Merger Agreement not being satisfied, or (ii) adversely affect the consummation of the Merger or any of the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including a material delay or postponement thereof;

it hereby irrevocably waives its rights to draw up a binding list of nominees in respect of the vacancies to be filled by the MergeCo Board Nominees, unless, following prior consultation with Axalta, the Stichting deems it reasonably necessary to exercise such rights to prevent any third party from frustrating the Merger, and, for the avoidance of doubt, the Stichting hereby confirms that neither the Merger nor the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement nor the nomination or appointment of the MergeCo Board Nominees as contemplated by the Merger Agreement constitutes exceptional circumstances (bijzondere omstandigheden) relating to Akzo-Nobel as referred to in Article 7 of the Stichting’s articles of association;

it shall not transfer, pledge, encumber or otherwise dispose of (whether in rem or pursuant to an agreement), and shall not cooperate with or sign any documents to effect any such transfer, pledge, encumbrance or other disposal of, any AkzoNobel Priority Shares or Stichting Converted Shares, as applicable, or the voting rights attached thereto, except as expressly contemplated by this agreement or the Merger Agreement, or if such action contributes to consummation of the Merger;

it shall transfer, and cooperate with and sign all documents necessary to transfer, the Stichting Converted Shares to AkzoNobel for no consideration, subject to the implementation of the MergeCo Articles of Association and effective as of the Amendment Time;

it hereby irrevocably waives and relinquishes any rights it may have with respect to the AkzoNo-bel Priority Shares and AkzoNobel, subject to the implementation of the MergeCo Articles of Association and effective as of the Amendment Time; and

it shall take all actions necessary to cause the dissolution of the Stichting as soon as reasonably practicable following the Amendment Time.

/s/ B.J. Noteboom

/s/ W.A. Kolk

/s/ G.M.E. Poux-Guillaume

/s/ M.J. de Vries

/s/ Chris Villavarayan

Creates a global coatings leader with $17 billion in revenue and an enterprise value of $25 billion

Significant value creation with approximately $600 million in cost synergies supporting strategic and capital allocation priorities

Combines highly complementary portfolios across end markets, driving stronger revenue growth, enhanced profitability and increased value for customers

Expands geographic reach, brings together world-class technology and innovation platforms and offers a full spectrum of solutions to deliver exceptional value to customers

Highly attractive financial profile featuring strong EBITDA margins and robust cash flow generation

One-tier Board to be led by current Axalta Chair Rakesh Sachdev as Chair; AkzoNobel CEO Greg Poux-Guillaume to serve as CEO of the combined company

Combined company to transition to a single NYSE listing; dual headquarters in Amsterdam and Philadelphia and domiciled in the Netherlands

Companies to host joint investor conference call November 18 at 8:30 a.m. EST / 2:30 p.m. CET

Includes approximately $600 million of run-rate synergies.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow calculated as reported Free Cash Flow including post-tax synergies and excluding identified items.

Combined financial figures do not include adjustments necessary to align to a consistent accounting standard or set of accounting policies. All combined company financial figures represent the addition of each company’s as reported metrics inclusive of synergies where applicable.

Diversified and balanced portfolio of leading brands. The merger brings together AkzoNobel’s and Axalta’s complementary portfolios to create a full spectrum offering of coatings solutions, with first-rate franchises across Powder, Aerospace, Refinish, Mobility, Marine & Protective, Industrial Coatings and Decorative Paints. The combined portfolio will be differentiated by its breadth of solutions across approximately 100 well-known brands.

Increased geographic scale and enhanced commercial reach. The combined company will have an enhanced global footprint spanning 173 manufacturing sites and 91 R&D facilities worldwide, enabling it to bring global capabilities to local customers. Through increased local presence in key geographies, AkzoNobel and Axalta customers are expected to benefit from deep channel access to coatings and product support, further strengthening customer relationships.

Enhanced capabilities to deliver customer-centric innovation. The combination will enable AkzoNobel and Axalta to deliver increasingly advanced and differentiated products by combining existing technological capabilities across end markets. Joining Axalta’s Refinish, Light Vehicle and Commercial and Industrial Coatings businesses with AkzoNobel’s Powder Coatings, Refinish, Aerospace Coatings, Marine & Protective, Industrial Coatings and Decorative Paints businesses will create an innovative platform to deliver exceptional value to customers. In addition, sharing best practices across two leading research platforms in the coatings space, is expected to accelerate high-value innovation. The combined company will have approximately $400 million combined annual R&D spend, 91 global R&D centers for local customer needs, approximately 4,200 research fellows, scientists and engineers, and approximately 3,200 granted and pending patent applications.

Substantial synergy opportunities driving value creation. The combination is expected to generate pre-tax run-rate synergies of approximately $600 million, with 90% of synergies expected to be achieved within the first three years following the close of the transaction. The targeted synergies are identified and actionable, arising primarily from procurement, SG&A efficiencies, footprint optimization and improved supply chain management.

Highly attractive financial profile with strong margins and substantial cash flow generation. Inclusive of run-rate synergies, the combined company is expected to have industry-leading profitability with strong Adjusted EBITDA margins approaching 20% and substantial cash flow generation. Revenues are expected to be approximately $17 billion, with Adjusted EBITDA of $3.3 billion and pro forma Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $1.5 billion. This will provide significant flexibility to support strategic and capital allocation priorities, including consistent capital returns through a regular dividend. Net leverage is targeted to be 2.0x to 2.5x, with a strong commitment to holding an investment grade credit rating.

Implementation of the Merger

At the Effective Time and subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, AkzoNobel Sub shall be merged with and into Axalta under Sections 104(H) to 109 of the Companies Act, the separate corporate existence of AkzoNobel Sub shall cease and Axalta shall continue as the surviving company pursuant to the Companies Act and shall be a wholly owned subsidiary of AkzoNobel. Axalta, as the surviving corporation in the Merger, is hereinafter sometimes referred to as the “Surviving Corporation”.

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Parties shall:

on or prior to the Completion Date, execute and deliver the Bermuda Statutory Merger Agreement;

on or prior to the Completion Date, cause an application for registration of the Surviving Corporation (the “Merger Application”) to be executed and delivered to the Registrar of Companies in Bermuda (the “Registrar”) as provided under and in accordance with Section 108 of the Companies Act and to be accompanied by the documents required by Sections 108(2) and 108(3) of the Companies Act; and

cause to be included in the Merger Application a request that the Registrar issue the certificate of merger with respect to the Merger (the “Certificate of Merger”) on the Completion Date at the time of day mutually agreed upon by the Parties and set forth in the Merger Application.

The Merger shall become effective upon the issuance of the Certificate of Merger by the Registrar, or at such other time and date as shall be set forth in the Certificate of Merger.

Effects of the Merger

Transfer of assets and liabilities

At the Effective Time, the effect of the Merger shall be as provided in this Agreement, the Bermuda Statutory Merger Agreement, the Certificate of Merger and Section 109(2) of the Companies Act. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and subject thereto, at the Effective Time (i) all the property, rights, privileges, powers and franchises of Axalta and AkzoNobel Sub shall vest in the Surviving Corporation, and (ii) all debts, liabilities and duties of Axalta and AkzoNobel Sub shall become the debts, liabilities and duties of the Surviving Corporation.

Governance of the Surviving Corporation

The memorandum of association of AkzoNobel Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall by virtue of the Merger and without any further action be the memorandum of association of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended in accordance with the Companies Act and any other Applicable Law and as provided in such memorandum of association, except that (i) the name of the Surviving Corporation as provided in such memorandum of association shall be the name as agreed in good faith between the Parties during the Interim Period, and (ii) the authorized share capital of the Surviving Corporation as provided in such memorandum of association shall be the authorized share capital of Axalta immediately prior to the Effective Time. The bye-laws of AkzoNobel Sub, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall by virtue of the Merger and without any further action be the bye-laws of the Surviving Corporation until thereafter amended in accordance with the Companies Act and any other Applicable Law and as provided in such bye-laws, except that the name of the Surviving Corporation as provided in such bye-laws shall be the name as agreed in good faith between the Parties during the Interim Period.

The directors of AkzoNobel Sub, as of immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, be the directors of the Surviving Corporation until their successors shall have been duly elected or appointed or qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Surviving Corporation’s bye-laws. The officers of Axalta at the Effective Time shall, from and after the Effective Time, be the officers of the Surviving Corporation until their successors shall have been duly elected or appointed or qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal in accordance with the Surviving Corporation’s bye-laws.

Conversion of Axalta Ordinary Shares

At the Effective Time each outstanding and issued ordinary share of Axalta, with par value of USD 1.00 (an “Axalta Ordinary Share”), issued immediately prior to the Effective Time (other than Axalta Ordinary Shares to be cancelled pursuant to clause 2.3.2) shall be automatically converted into the right to receive 0.6539 (the “Exchange Ratio”) of a duly authorized, validly issued and fully paid AkzoNobel Ordinary Share, with par value of EUR 0.50 each (such AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares, the “AkzoNobel Share Consideration”).

All Axalta Ordinary Shares that are owned by Axalta as treasury shares immediately prior to the Effective Time and any Axalta Ordinary Shares owned by AkzoNobel, AkzoNobel Sub or any other direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of AkzoNobel immediately prior to the Effective Time shall, at the Effective Time, be cancelled and shall cease to exist, and no consideration shall be due or delivered in exchange therefor.

At the Effective Time,

each Axalta Ordinary Share shall be transferred to AkzoNobel in accordance with clause 4 of this Schedule 4; and

the holders of Book Entry Shares and the holders of certificates that, immediately prior to the Effective Time, represented outstanding Axalta Ordinary Shares (the “Certificates”) shall cease to have any rights with respect thereto other than the right to, receive the AkzoNobel Share Consideration, without any interest thereon, for each such Axalta Ordinary Share.

If at any time between the date of this Agreement and the Effective Time any change in the number of issued Axalta Ordinary Shares or issued and outstanding AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares shall occur as a result of:

any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a reverse stock split);

combination, exchange or readjustment of shares;

any stock dividend with a record date during such period; or

any dividend or distribution in the form of securities of Axalta or AkzoNobel, respectively, or in a Subsidiary of Axalta or AkzoNobel, respectively, or securities convertible into Axalta Ordinary Shares or AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares, respectively, in each case, with a record date during such period,

No fraction of an AkzoNobel Ordinary Share will be issued by virtue of the Merger, but in lieu thereof each Axalta Registered Shareholder that would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of an AkzoNobel Ordinary Share (after aggregating all fractional AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares that otherwise would be received by such holder) shall, upon surrender of such holder’s Certificate(s) or Book Entry Share(s), or in the case of a lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, upon delivery of an affidavit in the manner provided in clause 4.1.9 of this Schedule 4, receive compensation in accordance with either option (a) or option (b) below, at the election of MergeCo:

the compensation shall be an amount of cash (rounded to the nearest whole cent), without interest, equal to the product of: (i) such fraction, multiplied by (ii) the average of the per share closing prices of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares reported on Euronext Amsterdam during the five (5) consecutive trading days ending on the trading day immediately preceding the Completion Date; or

the compensation shall be an amount determined in accordance with the following:

AkzoNobel shall issue immediately following the Effective Time to the Exchange Agent a number of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares resulting from aggregating the fractional entitlements of all Axalta Registered Shareholders (rounded downwards to the nearest whole AkzoNobel Ordinary Share) (the “Excess Shares”). The Excess Shares shall be issued and paid up in accordance with clause 4 and shall be held by the Exchange Agent solely for the account and benefit of the Axalta Registered Shareholders who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of an AkzoNobel Ordinary Share;

following the Effective Time, the Exchange Agent, as agent for each such Axalta Registered Shareholder, shall sell the Excess Shares at then prevailing prices on the NYSE in accordance with the remainder of this clause 2.3.5. The Exchange Agent shall use reasonable best efforts to complete the sale of the Excess Shares as promptly following the Effective Time as, in the Exchange Agent’s reasonable judgment, is practicable consistent with obtaining the best execution of such sales in light of prevailing market conditions, but in any case within five (5) trading days after the Completion Date; and

the Exchange Agent shall determine the portion of the proceeds from such sale of Excess Shares to which each Axalta Registered Shareholder that would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of an AkzoNobel Ordinary Share shall be entitled, by multiplying the amount of the aggregate proceeds from the sale of all Excess Shares by a fraction (y) the numerator of which is the fractional share interest to which such Axalta Registered Shareholder would otherwise have been entitled (after taking into account all Axalta Ordinary Shares held immediately prior to the Effective Time by such Axalta Registered Shareholder) and (z) the denominator of which is the aggregate fractional entitlements of all Axalta Registered Shareholders (unrounded).

Shares of Dissenting Shareholders

At the Effective Time and subject to Applicable Law, (i) each Dissenting Share shall be converted into the right to receive the AkzoNobel Share Consideration from the Exchange Agent in accordance with clause 4 of this Schedule 4, and (ii) if the fair value of a Dissenting Share as appraised by the Supreme Court of Bermuda under Section 106(6) of the Companies Act (the “Appraised Fair Value”) is greater than the AkzoNobel Share Consideration, then in addition to such AkzoNobel Share Consideration, any Dissenting Shareholders shall be entitled to receive, following the decision of the court, a cash payment equal to the difference between the Appraised Fair Value and the value of the AkzoNobel Share Consideration from the Surviving Corporation by payment within one (1) month after the Appraised Fair Value is finally determined pursuant to such appraisal procedure.

Axalta shall promptly notify AkzoNobel of:

any demands for appraisal of Dissenting Shares or attempted withdrawal or withdrawals of such demands for appraisal received by Axalta, and any other instruments served under the Companies Act and received by Axalta relating to any Dissenting Shareholder’s right to be paid the fair value of such Dissenting Shareholder’s Dissenting Shares; and (B) to the extent that Axalta has knowledge, any applications to the Supreme Court of Bermuda for appraisal of the fair value of the Dissenting Shares; and

to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the opportunity to participate with Axalta in any and all negotiations and proceedings with respect to any written demands for appraisal under the Companies Act.

Neither Axalta nor AkzoNobel shall, without the prior written consent of the other, voluntarily make any payment with respect to, or settle, or offer to settle, any such demands or applications, or waive any failure to timely deliver a written demand for appraisal or timely take any other action to perfect appraisal rights in accordance with the Companies Act.

Conversion of AkzoNobel Sub shares

Exchange Agent

Prior to the initial filing of the Form F-4, AkzoNobel and Axalta shall jointly appoint a United States bank or trust company or other independent financial institution in the United States (or Affiliate thereof) (the “Exchange Agent”) to act as exchange agent for the Merger and to deliver the AkzoNobel Share Consideration to former Axalta Registered Shareholders.

AkzoNobel and Axalta shall enter into an exchange agent agreement with the Exchange Agent, which agreement shall set forth the duties, responsibilities and obligations of the Exchange Agent consistent with the terms of this Agreement, including with regard to the contribution of the Axalta Ordinary Shares to AkzoNobel pursuant to clause 4 of this Schedule 4.

Issuance and delivery of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares

Contribution in kind and issuance of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares

Immediately following the Effective Time, and in accordance with the provisions of Section 2:94b DCC:

the Exchange Agent, acting as exchange agent and solely for the account and benefit of the former Axalta Registered Shareholders (other than the holders of Axalta Ordinary Shares to be cancelled pursuant to clause 2.3.2), shall contribute, solely for the account and benefit of the former Axalta Registered Shareholders (other than the holders of Axalta Ordinary Shares to be cancelled pursuant to clause 2.3.2), all of the issued and outstanding Axalta Ordinary Shares that were held by the former Axalta Registered Shareholders (other than the holders of Axalta Ordinary Shares to be cancelled pursuant to clause 2.3.2) pursuant to clause 1.2 to AkzoNobel, as a contribution in kind; and

in consideration of this contribution in kind, AkzoNobel shall issue and deliver to the Exchange Agent solely for the account and benefit of the former Axalta Registered Shareholders (other than the holders of Axalta Ordinary Shares to be cancelled pursuant to clause 2.3.2) the aggregate number of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares to be issued pursuant to clause 2.3.1.

In addition, MergeCo shall (if it does not elect to compensate for fractional entitlements to AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares in accordance with clause 2.3.5(b)) make available necessary cash in an amount sufficient for payment in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to clause 2.3.5(a) and any dividends or distribution to which holders of Axalta Ordinary Shares may be entitled pursuant to clause 4.1.10.

Promptly after the Effective Time (and in any event within five (5) Business Days after the Effective Time), MergeCo shall cause the Exchange Agent to mail to each former Axalta Registered Shareholder whose shares were converted into the right to receive the AkzoNobel Share Consideration pursuant to clause 2.3.1: a letter of transmittal, in customary form, and instructions for use, the form and substance of which letter of transmittal and instructions shall be as reasonably agreed to by Axalta and AkzoNobel and prepared prior to Completion.

Upon receipt of an “agent’s message” by the Exchange Agent in connection with the transfer of a Book Entry Share or surrender of a Certificate for cancellation to the Exchange Agent, in each case together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed and completed in accordance with the instructions thereto, and with such other documents as may be required pursuant to such instructions, the holder of such Book Entry Share or Certificate shall be entitled to receive in exchange therefor, subject to any required withholding of Taxes, the AkzoNobel Share Consideration. This includes cash in lieu of the issuance of any fractional shares and any dividends or distributions payable with respect to any AkzoNobel Share Consideration pursuant to clause 4.1.10, if any, in each case pursuant to the provisions of this clause 4.1.4, and the Book Entry Share so transferred or Certificate so surrendered shall forthwith be cancelled. AkzoNobel and Axalta shall cooperate to establish procedures with the Exchange Agent and the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to ensure that the Exchange Agent will transmit to DTC or its nominees as soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, upon surrender of Book Entry Shares held of record by DTC or its nominees in accordance with DTC’s customary surrender procedures, the applicable AkzoNobel Share Consideration (including any cash in lieu of the issuance of any fractional shares and any dividends or distributions payable with respect to any AkzoNobel Share Consideration pursuant to clause 4.1.10, if any) to be issued or paid pursuant to the provisions of this clause 4.1.4.

No interest will be paid to holders of Book Entry Shares or Certificates in connection with, or accrued on the AkzoNobel Share Consideration or dividends or distributions payable with respect to, AkzoNobel Share Consideration.

If any AkzoNobel Share Consideration is to be paid to a Person other than an Axalta Registered Shareholder in whose name the Book Entry Share transferred or Certificate surrendered in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a condition of such exchange that the Person requesting such exchange shall pay to the Exchange Agent any transfer or other Taxes required by reason of payment of the AkzoNobel Share Consideration to a Person other than the Axalta Registered Shareholder owning the Book Entry Share transferred or Certificate surrendered, or shall establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the Exchange Agent that such Tax has been paid or is not applicable.

At and after the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the share transfer books of Axalta of the Axalta Ordinary Shares that were outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time other than the transfer of the Axalta Ordinary Shares to AkzoNobel under this clause 4. If, after the Effective Time, Certificates or Book Entry Shares are presented to the Surviving Corporation or the Exchange Agent for any reason, they shall be cancelled and exchanged for the AkzoNobel Share Consideration pursuant to this clause 4.1, except as otherwise provided by Applicable Law.

If any Certificate or Book Entry Share shall not have been surrendered or transferred, respectively, prior to the date on which any AkzoNobel Share Consideration in respect thereof would otherwise escheat to or become the property of any Governmental Entity pursuant to Applicable Law, any such AkzoNobel Share Consideration in respect of such Certificate or Book Entry Share shall, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, become the property of MergeCo or the Surviving Corporation. Any Axalta Registered Shareholder of such Certificate or Book Entry Share who has not complied with this clause 4.1.8 shall thereafter look only to MergeCo for payment of their claim for AkzoNobel Share Consideration (and any amounts owed pursuant to clause 2.3.5) in respect thereof.

If any Certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed, the Person claiming the Certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed shall make an affidavit of that fact in a form reasonably satisfactory to MergeCo and the Exchange Agent, and if required by MergeCo or the Exchange Agent, to post a bond in such reasonable and customary amount as MergeCo or the Exchange Agent may so require. Upon completion of these requirements, the Exchange Agent shall issue in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed Certificate the AkzoNobel Share Consideration (and any amounts owed pursuant to clause 2.3.5) to which such Person is entitled in respect of such Certificate pursuant to this clause 4.1.9.

Whenever a dividend or other distribution is declared or made after the date of this Agreement with respect to AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares with a record date after the Effective Time, such declaration shall include a dividend or other distribution in respect of all AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares issuable pursuant to this Agreement as at that record date. No dividends or other distributions declared or made after the date of this Agreement with respect to AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares with a record date after the Effective Time and no payment in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to clause 2.3.5 will be paid to the Axalta Registered Shareholder owning any unsurrendered Certificates or Book Entry Shares with respect to AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares represented thereby until the Axalta Registered Shareholders of such Certificates or Book Entry Shares shall surrender such Certificates or Book Entry Shares.

Subject to Applicable Law, once any such Certificates or Book Entry Shares are surrendered, the Exchange Agent shall deliver to the Axalta Registered Shareholders of such Certificates or such Book Entry Shares, as applicable, without interest:

promptly after such surrender, such number of whole AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares issued in exchange for the Axalta Ordinary Shares represented by such Certificates or Book Entry Shares pursuant to clause 2.3.1, along with payment in lieu of fractional shares pursuant to clause 2.3.5 and the amount of any such dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time and theretofore paid with respect to such whole AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares; and

at the appropriate payment date, the amount of dividends or other distributions with a record date after the Effective Time and a payment date subsequent to such surrender payable with respect to such whole AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares.

to approve AkzoNobel entering into the Merger and the other actions contemplated in this Agreement, including for purposes of Section 2:107a of the DCC;

to amend AkzoNobel’s articles of association in accordance with the MergeCo Articles of Association;

to adopt the Merger Share Issuance;

to appoint, or reappoint as the case may be, the relevant Person(s) as members of the MergeCo Board as contemplated by clause 7.2.1, with effect as of the Amendment Time;

to give full and final discharge to the AkzoNobel Board of Management members, for their acts of management up to the moment immediately prior to the Merger to the extent permitted under Applicable Law;

to give full and final discharge to the AkzoNobel Supervisory Board members for their acts of supervision up to the moment immediately prior to the Merger to the extent permitted under Applicable Law;

to adopt the MergeCo Remuneration Policy with effect as of the Amendment Time; and

to adopt the MergeCo Authorizations with effect as of the Amendment Time.

to approve and adopt the Axalta Pre-Merger Bye-Laws;

to approve and adopt the Merger, the Agreement and the Bermuda Statutory Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated therein, including the Merger; and

to approve the adjournment of the Axalta special general meeting to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes at the time of the Axalta special general meeting to approve the resolution at (b) above.

amend, or allow any member of the AkzoNobel Group to amend, its articles of association, memorandum of association, bye-laws, board rules or equivalent organizational documents, except, with respect to the organizational documents of any of AkzoNobel’s Subsidiaries, for such amendments that do not and would not reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the Merger and are not and would not reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to Axalta or its Affiliates;

amend or enter into, or allow any member of the AkzoNobel Group to amend or enter into, share splits, combinations, subdivisions, or amendments to or reclassification of shares;

other than, in each case, (i) in the ordinary course of business in respect of any members of the AkzoNobel Group other than AkzoNobel or (ii) in respect of AkzoNobel, in connection with the Pre-Completion Distribution, (1) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other distribution (whether in cash, shares or property or any combination thereof) with respect to any shares or other equity or voting interests, (2) execute any share repurchases (whether or not announced and whether on an individual basis or as part of a program), or (3) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its shares, or other equity or voting interest, or any options, warrants, calls or rights to acquire any such stock or other securities, other than in connection with Tax withholdings of the AkzoNobel Equity Awards that are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement (or granted following the date of this Agreement as permitted by this Agreement) or as otherwise required by any AkzoNobel Equity Plan as in effect as of the date of this Agreement (or any AkzoNobel Equity Plan established, adopted or amended following the date of this Agreement as permitted under this Agreement);

other than, in each case, between wholly-owned members of the AkzoNobel Group, pledge, dispose, grant, transfer, encumber (or otherwise cause to be subject to any lien), deliver or sell, or authorize the issuance, pledge, disposition, grant, transfer, or, issue any shares or other equity or voting interests or any securities convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for or representing the right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise receive any such shares or interests for which

other than, in each case, between wholly-owned members of the AkzoNobel Group, directly or indirectly acquire, or agree to acquire, in any manner, including by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing all or a substantial portion of the assets of, or all or a portion of the outstanding equity interests in, any business or any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other company, association or other business organization or division thereof, or make any investment in any other Person, which acquisition or connected series of acquisitions would exceed an amount of EUR 100,000,000 (one hundred million euros) in the aggregate;

other than, in each case, (x) factoring of receivables from commercial transactions on arm’s length terms in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, (y) commercial transactions in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or (z) with respect to obsolete properties or assets, directly or indirectly transfer, sell, lease, sublease, license, sublicense, pledge, mortgage or otherwise dispose of or encumber any material properties, material assets or material rights or any interests therein;

other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, renew, modify or amend, or accelerate, terminate, waive or cancel, any agreement that is material to the AkzoNobel Group, taken as a whole;

other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, voluntarily terminate or materially modify, or allow any member of the AkzoNobel Group to voluntarily terminate or materially modify, any permit that is material to the AkzoNobel Group, taken as a whole;

except for trade credits, business incentive plan payments and loans to customers, in each case, made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person, other than loans, advances or capital contributions among any member of the AkzoNobel Group in each case in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, directly or through AkzoNobel’s in-house bank;

(1) incur, create, assume or otherwise become liable or responsible for any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantees thereof or issue any debt securities, except for (A) any letters of credit, letters of guarantee or replacements thereof, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, (B) indebtedness incurred between AkzoNobel and any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or between any of such wholly-owned Subsidiaries or guarantees by AkzoNobel of indebtedness of any wholly-owned Subsidiary of AkzoNobel, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (C) purchase money debt, capital leases or guarantees thereof in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, (D) trade payables or other short-term borrowings incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, or (E) any indebtedness that does not exceed EUR 130,000,000 (one hundred thirty million euro), or (2) take any action that would violate applicable securities laws;

except to the extent required by the terms of any AkzoNobel Benefit Plan or Labour Agreement as in effect as of the date of this Agreement (or any AkzoNobel Benefit Plan or Labour Agreement established, adopted or amended following the date of this Agreement as permitted under this Agreement), or Applicable Law, (1) increase any compensation or benefit of, or enter into or amend any employment, severance or termination agreement with (A) any current or former member of AkzoNobel’s executive committee (together, “AkzoNobel Senior Management”) or (B) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, any other current or former AkzoNobel Service Provider, (2) grant any bonuses to (A) any member of the AkzoNobel Senior Management or (B) other than cash bonuses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, any other current or former AkzoNobel Service Provider, in each case, other than any annual cash bonuses granted pursuant to the terms of the applicable AkzoNobel Benefit Plan as in effect as of the date of this Agreement or any

enter into, materially amend or terminate any collective bargaining agreement or any other material agreement with any labour organization, works council, trade union, or other labour association, other than pursuant to any acquisition permitted under limb (e);

make or authorize any capital expenditures (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any existing obligations under asset purchase agreements or share purchase agreements entered into by AkzoNobel prior to the date of this Agreement, as disclosed to Axalta) in excess of EUR 385,000,000 (three hundred eighty-five million euros) in the aggregate on an annual basis;

make any material change in financial accounting methods, principles or practices materially affecting the reported consolidated assets, liabilities or results of operations of the AkzoNobel Group or of any business unit/division of the AkzoNobel Group, except as may be required by Dutch GAAP, IFRS or a change in Applicable Law;

adopt, authorize or announce an intention to (i) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization, merger or other reorganization of AkzoNobel, (ii) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution or merger of any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) otherwise materially reorganize the AkzoNobel Group’s internal corporate structure;

(i) make, change or rescind any material Tax election, (ii) settle or compromise any material Tax claim, assessment, reassessment, liability, action, suit, proceeding, hearing or controversy with respect to a material amount of Taxes in excess of the amount reserved for in the annual accounts of AkzoNobel, (iii) make an amendment to any Tax Return already filed that would result in a material increase in Taxes due, (iv) enter into an agreement with any Governmental Authority with respect to a material amount of Taxes (but excluding the extension of an existing Disclosed agreement on materially similar terms), (v) enter into or change any material Tax sharing, Tax advance pricing agreement, Tax allocation or Tax indemnification agreement with a Person other than AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries that is binding on AkzoNobel or its Subsidiaries, (vi) surrender any right to claim a Tax abatement, reduction, deduction, exemption, credit or refund with respect to a material amount of Taxes, (vii) consent to the extension or waiver of the limitation period appliable to any Tax matter with respect to a material amount of Taxes (except in the ordinary course of business), (viii) change the tax residency of AkzoNobel or (ix) create a permanent establishment of AkzoNobel in any jurisdiction outside the jurisdiction of incorporation of AkzoNobel;

(i) sell, lease, modify, assign, transfer, license, sublicense or otherwise encumber any material AkzoNobel Intellectual Property (other than granting non-exclusive licenses in the ordinary course of business), (ii) disclose to any Person (other than Axalta and its Affiliates), or allow to fall into the public domain, any material confidential information, or (iii) abandon, permit to lapse or otherwise fail to maintain, defend, enforce and protect its interest in any material AkzoNobel Intellectual Property;

settle any litigation or arbitration proceedings in excess of EUR 50,000,000 (fifty million euro) in the aggregate;

not, directly or indirectly, take any action that is intended or would reasonably be expected to result in any of the Merger Conditions not being satisfied on a timely basis; or

agree, resolve, authorize or commit in writing to do or take any of the foregoing actions.

amend, or allow any member of the Axalta Group to amend, its articles of association, memorandum of association, bye-laws, board rules or equivalent organizational documents, except, with respect to the organizational documents of any of Axalta’s Subsidiaries for such amendments that do not and would not reasonably be expected to have an adverse effect on the Merger and are not and would not reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to AkzoNobel or its Affiliates;

amend or enter into, or allow any member of the Axalta Group to amend or enter into, stock splits, combinations, subdivisions, or amendments to or reclassification of stock;

other than in the ordinary course of business between members of the Axalta Group other than Axalta, (1) declare, set aside or pay any dividend or make any other distribution (whether in cash, shares or property or any combination thereof) with respect to any shares of its capital stock or other equity or voting interests, (2) execute any share repurchases (whether or not announced and whether on an individual basis or as part of a program), or (3) redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire any of its shares of capital stock, or other equity or voting interest, or any options, warrants, calls or rights to acquire any such stock or other securities, other than in connection with Tax withholdings or payment of exercise price with Axalta Ordinary Shares in connection with the vesting, settlement or exercise of Axalta Options, Axalta RSUs and Axalta PSUs, that are outstanding as of the date of this Agreement (or granted following the date of this Agreement as permitted by this Agreement) or as otherwise required by any Axalta Benefit Plan as in effect as of the date of this Agreement (or any Axalta Benefit Plan established, adopted or amended following the date of this Agreement as permitted under this Agreement);

other than, in each case, between wholly-owned members of the Axalta Group, pledge, dispose, grant, transfer, encumber (or otherwise cause to be subject to any lien), deliver or sell, or authorize the issuance, pledge, disposition, grant, transfer, or, issue any shares of capital stock or other equity or voting interests or any securities convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for or representing the right to subscribe

other than, in each case, between wholly-owned members of the Axalta Group, (i) directly or indirectly acquire, or agree to acquire, in any manner, including by merging or consolidating with, or by purchasing all or a substantial portion of the assets of, or all or a portion of the outstanding equity interests in, any business or any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other company, association or other business organization or division thereof, or make any investment in any other Person, which acquisition or connected series of acquisitions would exceed an amount of USD 120,000,000 (one hundred twenty million dollars) in the aggregate;

other than, in each case, (x) factoring of receivables from commercial transactions on arm’s length terms in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, (y) commercial transactions in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or (z) with respect to obsolete properties or assets, directly or indirectly transfer, sell, lease, sublease, license, sublicense, pledge, mortgage or otherwise dispose of or encumber any material properties, material assets or material rights or any interests therein;

other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, renew, modify or amend, or accelerate, terminate, waive or cancel, any agreement that is material to the Axalta Group, taken as a whole;

other than in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, voluntarily terminate or materially modify, or allow any member of the Axalta Group to voluntarily terminate or materially modify, any permit that is material to the Axalta Group, taken as a whole;

except for trade credits, business incentive plan payments and loans to customers, in each case, made in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other Person, other than loans, advances or capital contributions among any member of the Axalta Group in each case in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice, directly or through Axalta’s in-house bank;

(1) incur, create, assume or otherwise become liable or responsible for any indebtedness for borrowed money or guarantees thereof or issue any debt securities, except for (A) any letters of credit, letters of guarantee or replacements thereof, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices, (B) indebtedness incurred between Axalta and any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or between any of such wholly-owned Subsidiaries or guarantees by Axalta of indebtedness of any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Axalta, in each case in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (C) purchase money debt, capital leases or guarantees thereof in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, (D) trade payables or other short-term borrowings incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, or (E) any indebtedness that does not exceed USD 150,000,000 (one hundred fifty million dollars), or (2) take any action that would violate applicable securities laws;

except to the extent required by the terms of any Axalta Benefit Plan or Labour Agreement as in effect as of the date of this Agreement (or any Axalta Benefit Plan or Labour Agreement established, adopted or amended following the date of this Agreement as permitted under this Agreement), or Applicable Law, (1) increase any compensation or benefit of, or enter into or amend any employment, severance or termination agreement with (A) any current or former member of Axalta’s executive committee, excluding any current non-executive director in his or her capacity as such (together, “Axalta Senior Management”) or (B) other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, any other current or former Axalta Service Provider, (2) grant any bonuses to (A) any member of the Axalta Senior Management or (B) other than cash bonuses in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, any other current or former Axalta Service Provider, in each case, other than any annual cash bonuses granted pursuant to the terms of the applicable Axalta Benefit Plan as in effect as of the date of this Agreement or any Axalta Benefit Plan established, adopted or amended following the date of this Agreement as permitted under this Agreement, (3) except as contemplated by clause (1)(B) above, establish, adopt, extend, renew, enter into or amend (other than immaterial amendments that do not increase compensation or benefits) any Axalta Benefit Plan or Labour Agreement or any plan, program, agreement or arrangement that would constitute an Axalta Benefit Plan or Labour Agreement if in

enter into, materially amend or terminate any collective bargaining agreement or any other material agreement with any labour organization, works council, trade union, or other labour association, other than pursuant to any acquisition permitted under limb (e);

make or authorize any capital expenditures (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any existing obligations under asset purchase agreements or share purchase agreements entered into by Axalta prior to the date of this Agreement, as disclosed to AkzoNobel) in excess of USD 245,000,000 (two hundred forty-five million dollars) in the aggregate on an annual basis;

make any material change in financial accounting methods, principles or practices materially affecting the reported consolidated assets, liabilities or results of operations of the Axalta Group or of any business unit/division of the Axalta Group, except as may be required by U.S. GAAP or a change in Applicable Law;

adopt, authorize or announce an intention to (i) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, restructuring, recapitalization, merger or other reorganization of Axalta, (ii) adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution or merger of any of its Subsidiaries or (iii) otherwise materially reorganize the Axalta Group’s internal corporate structure;

(i) make, change or rescind any material Tax election, (ii) settle or compromise any material Tax claim, assessment, reassessment, liability, action, suit, proceeding, hearing or controversy with respect to a material amount of Taxes in excess of the amount reserved for in the annual accounts of Axalta, (iii) make an amendment to any Tax Return already filed that would result in a material increase in Taxes due, (iv) enter into an agreement with any Governmental Authority with respect to a material amount of Taxes (but excluding the extension of an existing Disclosed agreement on materially similar terms), (v) enter into or change any material Tax sharing, Tax advance pricing agreement, Tax allocation or Tax indemnification agreement with a Person other than Axalta or any of its Subsidiaries that is binding on Axalta or its Subsidiaries, (vi) surrender any right to claim a Tax abatement, reduction, deduction, exemption, credit or refund with respect to a material amount of Taxes, (vii) consent to the extension or waiver of the limitation period appliable to any Tax matter with respect to a material amount of Taxes (except in the ordinary course of business), (viii) change the tax residency of Axalta or (ix) create a permanent establishment of Axalta in any jurisdiction outside the jurisdiction of incorporation of Axalta;

(i) sell, lease, modify, assign, transfer, license, sublicense or otherwise encumber any material Axalta Intellectual Property (other than granting non-exclusive licenses in the ordinary course of business), (ii) disclose to any Person (other than AkzoNobel and its Affiliates), or allow to fall into the public domain, any material confidential information, or (iii) abandon, permit to lapse or otherwise fail to maintain, defend, enforce and protect its interest in any material Axalta Intellectual Property;

settle any litigation or arbitration proceedings in excess of USD 60,000,000 (sixty million dollars) in the aggregate;

not, directly or indirectly, take any action that is intended or would reasonably be expected to result in any of the Merger Conditions not being satisfied on a timely basis; or

agree, resolve, authorize or commit in writing to do or take any of the foregoing actions.

Organization and Good Standing

Each of AkzoNobel and AkzoNobel’s Subsidiaries is an entity duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing (where such concept is recognized under Applicable Law) under the Applicable Laws of its respective jurisdiction of organization, except where the failure to be so organized, existing or in good standing when taken together with all other such failures, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel.

Each of AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries has all requisite corporate, company or similar power and authority to own and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its business as presently conducted, except where the failure to have such power or authority when taken together with all other such failures, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel.

The AkzoNobel Disclosed Information includes true and complete copies of the organizational documents of AkzoNobel.

Capitalisation

The authorized share capital of AkzoNobel as issued under its articles of association (the “AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares”), as of the date of this Agreement consists of 500,000,000 ordinary shares of EUR 0.50 par value per share, 200,000,000 cumulative preferred shares of EUR 0.50 par value per share (“AkzoNobel Preferred Shares”) and 48 priority shares of EUR 400 par value per share (“AkzoNobel Priority Shares”). The AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares, the AkzoNobel Preferred Shares and the AkzoNobel Priority Shares are collectively referred to herein as the “AkzoNobel Shares”. As of 13 November 2025 (the “Capitalisation Date”), (i) 171,044,751 AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares were issued and outstanding, (ii) 298,090 AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares were issuable in respect of outstanding AkzoNobel RSUs if applicable terms and conditions are met at target performance level, (iii) 692,602 AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares were issuable in respect of outstanding AkzoNobel PSUs if applicable terms and conditions are met at target performance level, (iv) 26,797 AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares were issuable in respect of outstanding AkzoNobel SMRs if applicable terms and conditions are met at target performance level, (v) no AkzoNobel Preferred Shares were issued and outstanding, (vi) 48 AkzoNobel Priority Shares were issued and outstanding and held by Stichting Akzo Nobel, (vii) 17,181 bearer share certificates issued by AkzoNobel were outstanding, and (viii) no AkzoNobel Shares were held by AkzoNobel, other than 17,181 AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares registered in the name of AkzoNobel in respect of non-

All outstanding shares of capital stock and other voting securities or equity interests of each Subsidiary of AkzoNobel are owned, directly or indirectly, by AkzoNobel, free and clear of all pledges, claims, liens, charges, options, rights of first refusal or of first offer, encumbrances and security interests of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any limitation on voting, sale, transfer or other disposition or exercise of any other attribute of ownership), except, in each case for such transfer restrictions of general applicability as may be provided under the Securities Act and other applicable laws.

Except as set forth in clause 2.1 above, AkzoNobel warrants, as of the Capitalisation Date, there were no issued:

shares in the share capital of AkzoNobel or other voting securities of or ownership interests in AkzoNobel;

securities of AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries convertible into or exchangeable for shares in the share capital of AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries or other voting securities of or ownership interests in AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries;

warrants, calls, options, shares of phantom stock or phantom stock rights, stock purchase, stock appreciation or other rights or obligations to acquire from AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries, or other obligations of AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries to issue, any shares in the share capital or other voting securities or ownership interests in or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares in the share capital or other voting securities or ownership interests in AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries; or

stock options, restricted shares, stock appreciation rights, performance units or similar securities, phantom stock rights or other rights that are derivative of, or provide economic benefits based, directly or indirectly, on the value or price of, any shares in the share capital or voting securities of or ownership interests in AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case issued by AkzoNobel or its Subsidiaries,

Except as Disclosed in the AkzoNobel Disclosed Information,

there are no pre-emptive or other outstanding rights, options, warrants, conversion rights, stock appreciation rights, performance units, redemption rights, repurchase rights, agreements, arrangements, calls, commitments or rights of any kind that obligate AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries to issue or sell any AkzoNobel Securities, or give any Person a right to subscribe for or acquire from AkzoNobel or any AkzoNobel Affiliate any AkzoNobel Securities and no securities or obligations evidencing such rights are authorized, issued or outstanding;

there are no voting trusts, proxies or other agreements, arrangements or commitments to which AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries is a party with respect to the voting of any AkzoNobel Securities;

there are no bonds, debentures or notes issued by AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries that entitle the holder thereof to vote (or which are convertible into or exercisable for securities having the right to vote) together with shareholders of AkzoNobel on any matters with respect to AkzoNobel; and

there are no outstanding obligations of AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire any of the AkzoNobel Securities, or granting any pre-emptive rights, subscription rights, anti-dilutive rights, rights of first refusal or similar rights with respect to any AkzoNobel Securities, except that holders of bearer share certificates issued by AkzoNobel may until January 2, 2026 surrender such bearer share certificates for a corresponding number of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares. There is no shareholder rights plan, “poison pill” or similar device in effect with respect to AkzoNobel or any Subsidiary of AkzoNobel that is applicable to the Merger.

The AkzoNobel Disclosed Information includes, as of the Capitalisation Date, a true, complete and correct list of each outstanding AkzoNobel Equity Award, including (i) the holder of such AkzoNobel Equity Award, (ii) the number of AkzoNobel Ordinary Shares underlying each AkzoNobel Equity Award including at target and maximum performance levels; (iii) the date on which the AkzoNobel Equity Award was granted and the AkzoNobel Equity Plan under which it was granted; and (iv) the expiration date of each AkzoNobel Equity Award, if applicable. All AkzoNobel Equity Awards were granted under the award agreements (or forms thereof) provided in the AkzoNobel Disclosed Information.

Each grant of an AkzoNobel Equity Award was validly issued and properly approved by the AkzoNobel Boards (or a duly authorized committee or subcommittee thereof) in compliance with all Applicable Law, and recorded on the books and records of AkzoNobel, and no such grants involved any “back dating”, “forward dating” or similar practices with respect to the effective date of grant.

None of the AkzoNobel Securities are owned by any Subsidiary of AkzoNobel.

Except for the AkzoNobel Securities of a Subsidiary of AkzoNobel, neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries owns, directly or indirectly, any equity interest in any Person (other than AkzoNobel’s Subsidiaries), or has any obligation or has made any agreement to acquire any such equity interest, to provide funds to, or to make any investment (in the form of a loan, capital contribution or otherwise, which does not include providing credit for trade payables) in, any other Person (other than as contemplated by the Merger).

All dividends and distributions on any AkzoNobel Securities that have been declared or authorized for payment prior to the date of this Agreement have been paid in full (net of any applicable withholding Taxes).

Corporate Authority; Enforceability

Each of AkzoNobel and AkzoNobel Sub has all requisite corporate power and authority and has taken all corporate action necessary in order to authorize, execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement, and to consummate the Merger, subject only to approval by AkzoNobel’s shareholders of the AkzoNobel Completion Resolutions at the AkzoNobel EGM.

At a meeting duly called and held, the AkzoNobel Boards unanimously approved this Agreement, determined that the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including the Merger, are in the best interest of AkzoNobel and its business, promoting the sustainable success and the sustainable long-term value creation of its business, taking into account the interests of its stakeholders, including the AkzoNobel shareholders and its employees, and recommended that the shareholders of AkzoNobel adopt the AkzoNobel Resolutions.

This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by AkzoNobel and AkzoNobel Sub and constitutes a valid, legal and binding Agreement of AkzoNobel and AkzoNobel Sub, enforceable against AkzoNobel and AkzoNobel Sub in accordance with its terms, except as such may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other Applicable Laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.

No Conflicts

Governmental Approvals and Consents

AkzoNobel Reports and Financial Statements

AkzoNobel has timely filed or furnished, as applicable, with the AFM all reports, schedules, form statements or other documents of AkzoNobel that were required to be filed with or furnished to the AFM since 1 January 2023. As of their respective filing dates (or if amended prior to the date of this Agreement, as of the date of such amendment), all such reports, schedules, form statements or other documents (including the AkzoNobel Reports) complied in all material

As of the date of this Agreement, there are no outstanding or unresolved comments received from the AFM with respect to any of the reports, schedules, form statements or other documents (including the AkzoNobel Reports) referenced in clause 6.1 of this Schedule 9.

AkzoNobel has established and maintains, and since 1 January 2023, has maintained, a system of internal accounting controls sufficient, in all material respects, to provide reasonable assurance that (i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations, (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with IFRS and in conformity with Part 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code and to maintain asset accountability, (iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any difference.

Except as has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to AkzoNobel, AkzoNobel is, and since 1 January 2023 has been, in compliance with the applicable listing and corporate governance rules and regulations of Euronext Amsterdam.

All of the audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of AkzoNobel included in the AkzoNobel Reports (collectively, the “AkzoNobel Financial Statements”) (i) fairly present (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto and subject in the case of unaudited statements to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes, none of which either individually or in the aggregate are material) in all material respects the consolidated financial position and the results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholders’ equity of AkzoNobel as of the dates thereof and (ii) have been prepared in all material respects in accordance with Dutch generally accepted accounting principles (“Dutch GAAP”) or International Financial Reporting Standards as applied by the European Union (“IFRS”), as the case may be, applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of interim financial statements, for normal and recurring year-end adjustments that are not material in amount or nature).

Absence of Certain Changes

Compliance

Neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries is in conflict with, or in default or violation of, any Applicable Laws of any Governmental Authority, except for any such conflicts, defaults or violations that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and are not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel.

As of the date of this Agreement, each of AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries has all permits, licenses, franchises, variances, exemptions, orders, registrations and other authorizations, consents and approvals (together, “Permits”) of all Governmental Authorities necessary to conduct its business as presently conducted, except where the failure to have such Permits, individually or in the aggregate, has not had and is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel.

Litigation and Liabilities

There are no civil, criminal or administrative actions, suits, claims, hearings, investigations, Orders that affect AkzoNobel, any of its Subsidiaries or their properties or assets or proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, threatened in writing against AkzoNobel, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective directors or officers in their capacity as such or by or before any Governmental Authority, except for those that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and are not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel.

There are no obligations or liabilities whether or not accrued, contingent or otherwise required to be disclosed or reserved against in a consolidated balance sheet of AkzoNobel and its consolidated Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with Dutch GAAP and IFRS or in the notes thereto, including those relating to, or any other facts or circumstances of which, to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, would reasonably be expected to result in any claims against, or obligations or liabilities of, AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries, except for those that, individually or in the aggregate, have not had and are not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel.

Anti-Corruption, Trade Sanctions and Export Controls

AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries including any of their respective officers or directors are and in the past five (5) years have been, to the extent applicable, in compliance with and have not committed any offense under any Anti-Corruption Laws, except if it has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel.

There is not currently any pending or, to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, threatened investigation, litigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority with respect to compliance with any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws by AkzoNobel or its Subsidiaries, except if it has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel.

Except if it has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries are, and for the past five (5) years have been, in compliance with Applicable Laws relating to export controls, trade embargoes, and economic sanctions. Neither AkzoNobel nor its Subsidiaries is currently designated on the list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons maintained by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) or on any similar, publicly available sanctions list maintained by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union or His Majesty’s Treasury.

Except if it has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, there is not currently any pending or, to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, threatened investigation, litigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority with respect to compliance by AkzoNobel or its Subsidiaries with any Applicable Laws relating to export controls, trade embargoes, and economic sanctions.

AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries have instituted and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and Applicable Laws relating to export controls, trade embargoes, and economic sanctions, except if it has not had and would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel.

AkzoNobel Benefit Plans

To the knowledge of AkzoNobel, the AkzoNobel Disclosed Information includes a true, correct and complete list of each material AkzoNobel Benefit Plan. With respect to each material AkzoNobel Benefit Plan, a copy of which is within the possession of any individual who is identified in clause (i) of the definition of “knowledge” or may be obtained by such individual after reasonable inquiry of those aware of this Agreement, prior to the date of this Agreement, AkzoNobel has made available to Axalta true, correct and complete copies of (or, to the extent no such copy exists, a description of), in each case, to the extent applicable, the current plan document, all amendments thereto and the most recent summary or a summary plan description provided to participants.

Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, (i) each of the AkzoNobel Benefit Plans has been established, funded, operated and administered in compliance with its terms and in accordance with Applicable Laws, (ii) each AkzoNobel Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code, or that is intended to be qualified or registered under any other Applicable Laws in order to receive favourable tax treatment or other beneficial status, is so qualified, (iii) there are no pending, or to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, threatened Actions (other than routine individual claims for benefits) with respect to any of the AkzoNobel Benefit Plans and (iv) all contributions required to be made by AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries under each AkzoNobel Benefit Plan has been timely made or properly accrued.

(i) Within the six years immediately preceding the date of this Agreement, neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries or any AkzoNobel ERISA Affiliate sponsored, maintained, contributed to, or was required to contribute to, any (a) defined benefit pension plan (whether or not subject to ERISA), or (b) multiemployer plan, as described in Section 3(37) of ERISA and (ii) no AkzoNobel Benefit Plan provides death or medical or other welfare benefits (whether or not insured) with respect to current or former AkzoNobel Service Providers (or their dependents or beneficiaries) beyond their retirement or other termination of service, other than coverage mandated by Applicable Laws.

No current or former AkzoNobel Service Provider has any “gross up” agreement or other assurance, in each case, from AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries of reimbursement for any Taxes.

Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect on AkzoNobel, each AkzoNobel Benefit Plan, and any award thereunder, that is or forms part of a “nonqualified deferred compensation plan” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code has been operated in compliance with, and AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries have complied in practice and operation with, all applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

Neither the execution or delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the Merger (either alone or in conjunction with any other event, including a termination of employment, forgiveness of indebtedness or otherwise) would reasonably be expected to (i) increase any benefits or compensation otherwise payable under any AkzoNobel Benefit Plan, (ii) result in any acceleration of the time of payment, funding or vesting of, or result in the forfeiture or forgiveness of indebtedness of, any compensation or benefits under any AkzoNobel Benefit Plan, (iii) entitle any current or former AkzoNobel Service Provider to any payment or benefit, including any bonus, retention, severance, retirement payment or other benefit or (iv) result in the payment of any amount to any current or former AkzoNobel Service Provider that, individually or collectively, constitutes an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code. No AkzoNobel Equity Awards shall accelerate time of payment, funding or vesting on a “single-trigger” basis solely as a result of the consummation of the Merger. As of the date of this Agreement, none of AkzoNobel, the AkzoNobel Management Board or the AkzoNobel Supervisory Board or any committee thereof has taken any action to treat or deem the consummation of the Merger as a “change in control”, “takeover”, “corporate event” or other applicable term of similar comport for purposes of any AkzoNobel Benefit Plan that may result in the acceleration of the time of payment, funding or vesting of any compensation or benefits on a “single-trigger” basis solely as a result of the consummation of the Merger.

Employee and Labour Matters

To the knowledge of AkzoNobel, neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or otherwise bound by any collective bargaining agreement, contract or other agreement or understanding with a Labour Organization (a “Labour Agreement”) and, except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries is the subject of any campaign, proceeding, petition or other action asserting that AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries has committed an unfair labour practice or is seeking to compel it to bargain with any labour union or labour organization. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries has failed to comply with the provisions of any Labour Agreement, and there are no grievances outstanding against AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries under any Labour Agreement.

To the knowledge of AkzoNobel, as of the date of this Agreement, there is no threatened, nor, since 1 January 2023, has there been any, labour strike, dispute, walk-out, work stoppage, slow-down or lockout (“Strikes”) involving AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries, except for any general industry Strikes that are not directed exclusively at AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries.

To the knowledge of AkzoNobel, no provision of notice to, no consent or consultation of, or the rendering of formal advice by, any Labour Organization is required for AkzoNobel to enter into this Agreement or to consummate the Merger.

AkzoNobel and each of its Subsidiaries has, since 1 January 2023, been in material compliance with WARN or similar Applicable Law and has not incurred, nor is expected to incur, any liabilities or other obligations under WARN or similar Applicable Law.

As of the date of this Agreement, there are no material Actions pending or scheduled or, to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, threatened in writing, pertaining to the Employment Practices of AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, AkzoNobel and each of its Subsidiaries is, and since 1 January 2023, has been, in compliance in all respects with all Applicable Laws with respect to the Employment Practices of AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries.

Tax Matters

Except if it has not had or would not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel:

Each of AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries has (a) timely filed all Tax Returns required to be filed by any of them (taking into account applicable extensions) and all such Tax Returns have been made on a proper basis, have been filed or provided within the requisite period and were (when filed or provided) complete, true and correct in all respects and (b) paid all Taxes due and payable (whether or not shown on a Tax Return) other than such Taxes as are being contested in good faith by AkzoNobel or its Subsidiaries and for which adequate reserves have been made on the AkzoNobel Financial Statements.

AkzoNobel and each of its Subsidiaries have made all withholdings and deductions relating to Tax as are required by Applicable Law to be made and complied with Applicable Law relating to the collection, deduction, withholding and payment of Taxes (including Applicable Laws related to information reporting and the provision of information statements).

No action, suit, audit, claim, demand, investigation or proceeding is pending, examination or investigation is now in progress, (or threatened in writing (or, to AkzoNobel’s knowledge, orally)) against, or to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, contemplated against, or with respect to, AkzoNobel or its Subsidiaries in respect of any Tax.

No Taxing Authority has proposed or is threatening in writing to propose any adjustment to any Tax Return of AkzoNobel or its Subsidiaries.

No US Subsidiary of AkzoNobel has participated in any “listed transaction” within the meaning of U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.6011-4(b)(2) and neither AkzoNobel nor any non-US Subsidiary of AkzoNobel has participated in a transaction that is violative of an applicable “general anti-abuse rule” or analogous tax anti-abuse regime in their respective jurisdictions.

Neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any written agreement providing for the allocation or sharing of Taxes, except for any such agreements that (a) are solely between AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries, (b) will terminate as of the Completion Date or (c) are Tax allocation, indemnity or warranty provisions contained in commercial contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, the principal subject matter of which is not Taxes.

Neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries has waived any statute of limitation in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to an assessment or deficiency for any material amount of Taxes, which waiver or extension is currently in effect (other than pursuant to extensions of time to file Tax Returns obtained in the ordinary course of business for no more than six months).

There are no liens on any of the assets of AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries attributable to Taxes.

Neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) is, or has been, a member of any affiliated, consolidated, combined or unitary Tax group, other than a group the common parent of which is AkzoNobel or any Subsidiary of AkzoNobel, or (ii) has any liability for any Taxes of any Person, where such Taxes are the primary obligation of that other Person (other than AkzoNobel or current or former Subsidiary of AkzoNobel).

Neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries has been a “distributing” corporation or a “controlled corporation” (each within the meaning of Section 355(a)(1)(A) of the Code) in any distribution of stock during the two-year period ending on the date of this Agreement that was purported or intended to be governed by Section 355 of the Code (or so much of Section 356 of the Code as relates to Section 355 of the Code).

Neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries will be required to include any item of income in, or exclude any item of deduction from, taxable income for any taxable period (or portion thereof) ending after the Effective Time as a result of (A) any instalment sale or open transaction disposition made on or prior to the Effective Time, (B) other than resulting from the ordinary course of business, any prepaid amount or deferred revenue received on or prior to the Effective Time, (C) any “closing agreement,” as described in Section 7121 of the Code (or any corresponding provision of state, local or non-U.S. Law) entered into on or prior to the Effective Time, (D) any “domestic use election” (or analogous concepts under state, local or non-U.S. Law) or (E) a change in the method of accounting for a period ending prior to or including the Effective Time.

Neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries has entered into or agreed to operate any special arrangement or agreement in relation to its Tax affairs and neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries has a request pending before a Tax Authority for any such arrangements or agreement, in each case for any taxable year for which the statute of limitations has not yet expired.

No claim has been made in writing by a Tax Authority in a jurisdiction where any of AkzoNobel or its Subsidiaries does not pay a particular kind of Tax or file a particular type of Tax Return that such Person is or may be required to pay such Tax or file such Tax Return in, or subject to taxation by, that jurisdiction.

AkzoNobel is not a “passive foreign investment company” within the meaning of Section 1297 of the Code.

There are no arrangements or agreements or circumstances (including Tax rulings) that would reasonably be expected to give rise to AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries being liable for the repayment of a material amount of unlawful state aid in relation to Taxation.

Neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries has taken or agreed to take any action or has knowledge of any facts or circumstances that, individually or in the aggregate, would reasonably be expected to prevent the Merger and the Contribution from qualifying for the Merger Intended Tax Treatment.

AkzoNobel Material Contracts

Except, in each case of subclauses (i) and (ii) of this sentence, if it has not had or is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, (i) neither AkzoNobel, nor any of its Subsidiaries is in breach of or default under the terms of any contract that is material to the business of AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole (“AkzoNobel Material Contract”) and (ii) no event has occurred that (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) would reasonably be expected to result in a breach or default under any AkzoNobel Material Contract by AkzoNobel or any Subsidiary of AkzoNobel.

To the knowledge of AkzoNobel, no other party to any AkzoNobel Material Contract is in breach of or default under the terms of such AkzoNobel Material Contract where such breach or default has had, or would reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel.

Intellectual Property

For the purposes of this Agreement, “Intellectual Property” means any and all rights with respect to intellectual property and similar proprietary rights in any jurisdiction throughout the world, including the following: (i) all patents, patent applications, statutory invention registrations, (together with any and all re- issuances, continuations, continuations-in-part, divisionals, revisions, provisionals, renewals, extensions and reexaminations thereof) and all improvements to the inventions disclosed in each such registration, patent and patent application; (ii) all registered and unregistered trademarks and service marks, trade names, service names, brand names, trade dress, logos, certifications, internet domain names, social media identifiers and accounts and any and all other indications of origin (whether or not registered), including all goodwill associated therewith and symbolized thereby, and all applications and registrations in connection therewith; (iii) all copyrights (whether or not registered) and all applications and registrations therefor, works of authorship, mask work rights and any and all renewals, extensions, reversions, restorations, derivative works and moral rights in connection with the foregoing, now or hereafter provided by Applicable Law, regardless of the medium of fixation or means of expression; (iv) all trade secrets, know-how (including manufacturing and production processes and research and development information), confidential information, technical data, algorithms, formulae, procedures, protocols, rules of thumb, techniques, results of experimentation and testing, and business information (including financial and marketing plans, customer and supplier lists, and pricing and cost information); (v) software (including source code, object code, firmware, operating systems and specifications), (vi) databases and data collections, (vii) industrial designs (whether or not registered), (viii) rights of publicity, privacy rights, and rights to personal information, and (ix) all rights to sue or recover and retain damages and costs and attorneys’ fees for past, present and future infringement, misappropriation or other violation of any of the foregoing.

Except if it has not had or is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, (i) AkzoNobel or at least one of its Subsidiaries exclusively owns, is licensed to use or otherwise possesses sufficient and legally enforceable rights to use all Intellectual Property which is owned by or used or held for use in the operation of the business of AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted (the “AkzoNobel Intellectual Property”) and (ii) the consummation of the Merger contemplated by this Agreement will not alter or impair any such rights.

Except if it has not had or is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, (i) AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, own all right, title and interest in and to all Intellectual Property owned or purported to be owned by AkzoNobel or its Subsidiaries (the “AkzoNobel Owned Intellectual Property”) free and clear of all liens, (ii) all AkzoNobel Owned Intellectual Property is valid, and to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, subsisting and enforceable.

Except if it has not had or is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, (i) since 1 January 2023, the conduct of the business of AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries has not infringed upon, misappropriated, or otherwise violated, and currently does not infringe upon, misappropriate, or otherwise violate, any Intellectual Property rights or any other proprietary right of any Person, and (ii) there are no pending or, to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, threatened claims by any Person alleging infringement, misappropriation or other violation by AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries of any Intellectual Property rights of any Person. To the knowledge of AkzoNobel, there is no unauthorized use, infringement, misappropriation or other violation of AkzoNobel Intellectual Property, including by any employee of AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries, except as would not reasonably be likely to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel.

Except if it has not had or is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, (i) each of AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, has taken commercially reasonable steps designed to protect and maintain any trade secrets or other confidential propriety information included in the AkzoNobel Intellectual Property, (ii) there have been no unauthorized uses or disclosures of any such AkzoNobel Intellectual Property by AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, any third party, (iii) AkzoNobel has executed valid and enforceable written agreements with each of

Except if it has not had or is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, (i) AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries have implemented (1) commercially reasonable and appropriate technical, physical, and administrative measures, designed to protect the confidentiality, integrity and security of the IT Assets owned, controlled, or used by AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries in connection with the operation of the business of AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries (and all information and transactions stored or contained therein or transmitted thereby) (collectively, “AkzoNobel IT Assets”), and (2) commercially reasonable data backup, data storage, system redundancy and disaster recovery procedures, as well as a commercially reasonable business continuity plan, in each case consistent with customary industry practices, (ii) there have been no Security Incidents and (iii) there have been no failures of the AkzoNobel IT Assets that have resulted in any interruption of or adverse effect on the business of AkzoNobel or its Subsidiaries.

Data Privacy and Cybersecurity

Except if it has not had or is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, (i) AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries currently and previously have complied with all applicable Privacy Laws and contracts binding upon AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries related to the privacy, security, or Processing of Personal Information, and (ii) each of AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries maintains a written information security program that includes commercially reasonable and appropriate administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect and safeguard the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of transactions and Personal Information.

Except if it has not had or is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, neither AkzoNobel nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, any Person Processing Personal Information on behalf of AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries in relation to such Processing of Personal Information has (i) experienced a Security Incident that required notification to another Person under applicable Privacy Laws (or for which AkzoNobel, any of its Subsidiaries, or such Person actually made notification), or (ii) received written notice, inquiry, request, claim, complaint, correspondence or other communication from, or, to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, been the subject of any investigation or enforcement action by, any Person alleging a violation of applicable Privacy Law.

Real Property

Except if it has not had or is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, (i) AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, have good and valid fee simple title (or the jurisdictional equivalent) in and to all real property owned or purported to be owned by AkzoNobel or its Subsidiaries (the “AkzoNobel Owned Real Property”), free and clear of all liens, (ii) none of AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries have leased or granted to any third party any right to use or occupy any material portions of the AkzoNobel Owned Real Property, (iii) there is no condemnation or other proceeding in eminent domain pending or, to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, threatened affecting any AkzoNobel Owned Real Property or any portion thereof or interest therein, and (iv) there are no outstanding options, rights of first offer or rights of first refusal for the benefit of a third party to purchase any AkzoNobel Owned Real Property or any portion thereof or interest therein.

Except if it has not had or is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, (i) AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, have good and valid leasehold or subleasehold interest or license rights (or the jurisdictional equivalent) in and to all real property leased, subleased, licensed or purported to be leased, subleased or licensed by AkzoNobel or its Subsidiaries (the “AkzoNobel Leased Real Property”, and together with the AkzoNobel Owned Real Property, the “AkzoNobel Real Property”), free and clear of all liens, (ii) none of AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries have subleased or granted to any third party any right to use or occupy any material portions of the AkzoNobel Leased Real Property, (iii) there is no condemnation or other proceeding in eminent domain pending or, to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, threatened affecting any AkzoNobel Leased Real Property or any portion thereof or interest therein, (iv) neither AkzoNobel or any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of AkzoNobel, any counterparty, is in breach of or default under the terms of any lease, sublease, license or occupancy agreement underlying the AkzoNobel Leased Real Property, and no event has occurred that (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) would reasonably be expected to result in any breach or default thereunder.

The AkzoNobel Real Property comprises all material real property used in the business of the AkzoNobel Group as currently conducted. Except if it has not had or is not reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect in relation to AkzoNobel, the AkzoNobel Real Property is in good operating condition in all material respects, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and AkzoNobel and its Subsidiaries have sufficient rights of access to, and sufficient utilities servicing, each AkzoNobel Real Property, for purposes of operating the business of the AkzoNobel Group as currently conducted.