Ecolab Recognized for its Commitment to Sustainable Operations and Workplace Safety

ST. PAUL, Minn. - May 21, 2012 - Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) has been recognized by the American Chemistry Council (ACC) for energy efficiency initiatives at two manufacturing facilities and for employee safety at several of the company's manufacturing sites across the United States.

Energy efficiency projects at Ecolab plants in Bedford Park, Ill., and Ellwood City, Penn., were among seven initiatives that received ACC Responsible Care® Energy Efficiency Awards. The awards were given to manufacturing locations within the U.S. that realized significant improvements in energy efficiency.

The company's Bedford Park Clearing Plant received an Exceptional Merit Award for the execution of Create and Maintain Value, a continuous improvement process to reduce energy and water use. Nalco, an Ecolab company, implements the Create and Maintain Value process at customer locations to identify and realize operational best practices to reduce energy as well as water use.

Working with Nalco sales and service engineers, the Bedford Park facility launched a number of improvement projects using state-of-the-art Nalco technology that will result in annual savings of 3 million kWh of energy, avoid 600 tons of CO2 emissions and reduce water use by more than 32 million gallons.

"Our own improved environmental results are a demonstration of what customers can expect when we apply our innovation and expertise toward their key business drivers to create and maintain additional value in their operations," said Douglas M. Baker, Jr., chairman and chief executive officer, Ecolab.

At the Ellwood City plant, a series of four efficiency projects are projected to reduce annual electricity use by 426,000 kWh per year and reduced CO2 emissions by 294 metric tons annually. This is the second consecutive year the Ellwood City plant has received an ACC Energy Efficiency Award.

Ecolab was one of only 40 companies in the U.S. to receive the ACC Responsible Care Facility Safety Certificate based on achievements in employee health and workplace safety performance.

Thirteen Ecolab facilities were honored, with 11 locations earning a Certificate of Excellence, the highest level of achievement. Awarding of the certificate is based on achievements in workplace safety and health for both employees and contractors. Company sites receiving certificates include: Bedford Park, Ill.; Ellwood City, Penn.; Montgomery, Ala.; Carson, Calif.; Garyville, Port Allen and Scott, La.; Tulsa, Okla.; Freeport, Odessa and Texarkana, Tex.; Vancouver, Wash.; and Evansville, Wyo.

These achievements were announced at ACC's 2012 Responsible Care Conference in Hollywood, Fla.

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

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Ecolab Inc.
Roman Blahoski
651-293-4385
MediaRelations@Ecolab.com

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