July 23, 2002
Univar N.V. Divests Non-Core Assets

Amsterdam, The Netherlands - July 23, 2002 - Univar N.V. ("Univar") (Euronext Amsterdam: UNIVR) a leading international chemical distributor, announces that as part of its re-focus of efforts in Europe, it has sold its 95 percent holding in Progiven S.A.S. to French Middle Market Fund (Managed by Banexi Capital Partenaires, a BNP-Paribas bank subsidiary). Progiven S.A.S., a non-core asset for Univar, is in the business of manufacturing additives aimed at protecting waterborne materials from aggressors such as bacteria, fungi, algae and insects. The sale resulted in a net gain on book value to Univar of € 6 million.

According to Gary E. Pruitt, Chairman & CEO of Univar, "Progiven is non-core to our chemical distribution activities. We are pleased to have found a good home for this business and its employees, while at the same time, preserving our existing amicable commercial relationships with Progiven."

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. The company is headquartered in The Netherlands, with North American offices in Bellevue, Washington. For more information, visit: www.univarcorp.com

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 : 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

July 1, 2002
Univar listed on Euronext Amsterdam