ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands, April 3, 2006 -- Univar N.V., a world leader in chemical distribution, today announced it intends to buy back up to USD 50 million of its own ordinary shares.  The purchase will be made in light of the opportunity to subscribe to the offer by HAL Investments, to sell up to 8,000,000 Univar N.V. shares, also announced today.

 Gary E. Pruitt, chairman and CEO, said, “The sale of shares by HAL Investments is beneficial to the company and its shareholders.  It will diversify our shareholder base and it creates the opportunity for increased liquidity in our shares.  It also provides the company with a good opportunity to buy back a limited portion of its ordinary shares for general corporate purposes through participation in the offering.”