NLC Nalco Holding Company Common Stock

Nalco (NYSE:NLC), providing essential expertise for water, energy and air, has been named the most preferred supplier of chemical programs for the pulp and paper industry according to a recently released 2010 Brand Awareness Preference Study by Paper360° magazine.

More survey respondents from paper and paperboard manufacturers around the world identified Nalco as their most preferred supplier among users of pulp and paper chemicals and in the category of water treatment. In addition, Nalco was the most preferred supplier in two specific subcategories: retention aids and pulp antifoams and received high supplier preference scores for coating additives, microbiocides and sizing.

There were more than 700 responses to the annual survey which was conducted for Paper360° magazine by Marietta, GA-based Litchfield Research, an independent research firm. Paper360° is the official publication of TAPPI (Technical Association for the Pulp and Paper Industry) and PIMA (Paper Industry Management Association).

About Nalco

Nalco is the world's largest sustainability services company focused on industrial water, energy and air applications; delivering significant environmental, social and economic performance benefits to our customers. We help our customers reduce energy, water and other natural resource consumption, enhance air quality, minimize environmental releases and improve productivity and end products while boosting the bottom line. Together our comprehensive solutions contribute to the sustainable development of customer operations. Nalco is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes. More than 11,500 Nalco employees operate in 150 countries supported by a comprehensive network of manufacturing facilities, sales offices and research centers to serve a broad range of end markets. In 2009, Nalco achieved sales of more than $3.7 billion. For more information visit www.nalco.com.

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CONTACT:  Nalco Company
          Media Contact:
          Charlie Pajor
            630 305 1556
            cpajor@nalco.com
          Investor Contact:
          Lisa Curran
            630 305 1475
            llcurran@nalco.com