Univar listed on Euronext Amsterdam

Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1 July 2002- Univar N.V. ("Univar") (Euronext Amsterdam UNIVR) announces that following the successful split-off from Royal Vopak N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: VPK), Univar will today list [29,963,986] issued and outstanding ordinary shares on the Euronext Amsterdam stock exchange.

Gary Pruitt, CEO of Univar commented: "We are delighted with our listing on Euronext Amsterdam. As a pure play, focused chemical distribution company, we are now in position to direct our attention entirely to seizing the opportunities offered by our industry, and to consolidate our position as a leading chemical distributor in North America and Western Europe."

Strategy
Univar's strategy is focused on the following:
· Increase market share
Univar's broad-based product offering, covering virtually all major industry sectors, provides a sound base of business from which to capitalise upon general economic improvement. Univar will seek to increase its market share through a combination of organic growth, growth through acquisition and growth through strategic relationships.
· Low cost distributor
Leveraging economies of scale to achieve a low cost position is a key element for Univar's strategy. Today, Univar has a strong infrastructure throughout North America and most key industrial markets in Europe. This facilitation places Univar in a position to absorb substantial sales growth without requiring major new investment in facilities.
· Re-focus of efforts in Europe
Univar will focus on the development of each of its individual businesses in Europe, while also seeking to exploit available pan-European synergies. A programme of sharing best practices from the different local entities, is already underway.

Split-off
At the Extraordinary General Meeting of shareholders of Vopak held on 17 June 2002, the shareholders resolved to split off the chemical distribution activities from Vopak. The split-off became effective following the effectuation of the rights issue and the execution of the notarial deed of split-off on 28 June 2002.

Listing of shares
Each holder of Vopak N.V. Common Share has received one Univar common share (nominal value EUR 0.50 per share). Subsequently, every two Univar common shares has been consolidated into one Univar Common Share (nominal value EUR 1.00 per share). The number of shares listed totals [29,963,986].

ABN Amro, ING Barings, van Lanschot and Fortis Bank will act as liquidity providers for Univar.

For more information please contact:

Univar N.V.
John Sammons
Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Tel: +1-425-990-1016
Fax: +1-425-990-1017
E-mail: john.sammons@univarcorp.com
Website: http://www.univarcorp.com
Citigate First Financial
Barbara Jansen
Tel: +31 (0)20 575 40 80
Fax: +31 (0)20 575 40 20
E-mail: bjansen@citigateff.nl

Profile Univar
Univar is the leading independent chemical distributor in the world (in terms of revenue). Univar is engaged in the chemical distribution business throughout both North America and Europe. Univar purchases a vast array of commodity products in bulk quantities, processes these, repackages them in appropriate quantities and then sells and delivers them to some 250,000 industrial end-users. In addition, Univar provides a number of related services to its customers, such as blending of chemicals, managing customer inventories, providing technical support and packaging and labelling. Univar operates a network of 195 distribution centres, spread across the United States, Canada and 14 European countries. In 2001, Univar generated net sales of EUR 4.8 billion and group operating income (including income from equity participations) of EUR 81.6 million. Univar has approximately 7,000 employees based throughout North America and Europe.