Commissioning of Beta Systems at AkzoNobel

03 October 2011

Embargoed until 07:00

AFC Energy PLC

("AFC Energy" or "the Company")

Commissioning of Beta Systems at AkzoNobel

AFC Energy (AIM: AFC), a leading developer of alkaline fuel cells, is pleased to inform investors that it has completed the commissioning of two commercial-scale fuel cell systems (the "Beta System") without electrodes at AkzoNobel's chlor-alkali plant in Bitterfeld, Germany. This follows the completion of the HAZOP study that the Company announced on 8 August 2011 and the commissioning of the first Beta System in the UK that the Company announced on 11 August 2011. Over the next months these Beta Systems will be equipped with electrodes and used for trials using industrially produced hydrogen.

Ian Balchin, AFC Energy's Executive Deputy Chairman, said: "The Company will now be able to begin demonstrating electricity generation in the field from industrially produced hydrogen. We are grateful for the support and expertise we have received from AkzoNobel, and look forward to continuing our close working relationship with them to advance System performance. Electricity produced from the Beta Systems will be used by AkzoNobel in its own operations offering the prospect of reduced energy costs and lower carbon emissions by avoiding carbon- based fuels."

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About AFC Energy 

AFC Energy is a leading developer of low-cost alkaline fuel cells. AFC Energy's technology is focused on large scale industrial applications and the objective of producing the lowest possible unit cost electricity. Please visit our website afcenergy.com

About AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel is the largest global paints and coatings company and a major producer of specialty chemicals. We supply industries and consumers worldwide with innovative products and are passionate about developing sustainable answers for our customers. Our portfolio includes well known brands such as Dulux, Sikkens, International and Eka. Headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we are a Global Fortune 500 company and are consistently ranked as one of the leaders in the area of sustainability. With operations in more than 80 countries, our 55,000 people around the world are committed to excellence and delivering Tomorrow's Answers Today™.

Industrial Chemicals

AkzoNobel Industrial Chemicals produces and markets salt and energy, chlor-alkali products and derivatives like monochloroacetic acid (MCA) and metal salts. It is Europe's largest producer of vacuum salt and a leading supplier of chlorine, caustic lye, hydrochloric acid and MCA used in the chemical, detergent, construction, food, pulp and paper and plastic industries. Its products are essential in daily life and used in the manufacture of among others vehicles, glass, performance plastics, pharmaceuticals and textiles, and in disinfectants for swimming pools.

Employing approximately 1,700 people, Industrial Chemicals has production sites at Rotterdam, Hengelo and Delfzijl in the Netherlands, Ibbenbüren, Frankfurt and Bitterfeld in Germany, Mariager in Denmark, LeMoyne in the USA, and Taixing in China. The business is headquartered in Amersfoort, the Netherlands.