Ecolab Raises Cash Dividend 14 Percent

The Board of Directors of Ecolab Inc. ECL today increased the company's quarterly cash dividend by 14% to $0.20 per common share, to be paid January 17, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 20, 2011. This results in a new indicated annual cash dividend of a record $0.80 per share for 2012, and represents Ecolab's 20^th consecutive annual dividend rate increase. Ecolab has paid cash dividends on its common stock for 75 consecutive years. Ecolab last increased its dividend in December 2010.