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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Washington, D.C.&#160; 20549</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)&nbsp;of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>April&nbsp;10, 2013</b></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">ECOLAB INC.</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Delaware</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1-9328</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">41-0231510</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or other jurisdiction</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Identification No.)</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">370 Wabasha Street North, Saint Paul, Minnesota</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">55102</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>1-800-232-6522</b></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(Not applicable)</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .25in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CRF 240.13e-4(c))</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Introductory Note</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.35in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On April&nbsp;10, 2013, Permian Mud Service,&nbsp;Inc., a Texas corporation (&#147;Permian&#148;) and the parent company of Champion Technologies,&nbsp;Inc. (&#147;Champion&#148;) and Corsicana Technologies,&nbsp;Inc. (together with Permian and Champion, the &#147;acquired companies&#148;) became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ecolab&nbsp;Inc., a Delaware corporation (&#147;Ecolab&#148; or &#147;the Company&#148;), as a result of the merger of OFC Technologies Corp., a Texas corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ecolab (&#147;Merger Sub&#148;), with and into Permian (the &#147;Merger&#148;). The Merger was effected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October&nbsp;11, 2012, as amended (the &#147;Merger Agreement&#148;), by and among Ecolab, Merger Sub and Permian.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:24.5pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item&nbsp;1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.35in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On April&nbsp;10, 2013, in connection with the closing of the Merger, Ecolab and the Permian stockholder representatives entered into a registration rights agreement (the &#147;Registration Rights Agreement&#148;) related to approximately 6.6 million shares of Ecolab&#146;s common stock paid as merger consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement and beneficially owned by the Permian stockholders in an offering exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;). The Registration Rights Agreement is filed as Exhibit&nbsp;4.1 to this Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K and the description of the material terms of the Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit, which is incorporated herein by reference.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item&nbsp;2.01&nbsp;Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.35in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On April&nbsp;10, 2013, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Permian, with Permian surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.35in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, after adjustments for assumed debt and other adjustments as set out in the Merger Agreement, Ecolab will pay merger consideration of approximately $1.97 billion (valued based on Ecolab&#146;s closing share price on April&nbsp;10, 2013), consisting of $1.43 billion in cash and 6.6 million shares of Ecolab common stock. Ecolab will deposit approximately $100 million of the merger consideration in the form of shares of Ecolab common stock in an escrow fund to satisfy adjustments to the merger consideration and indemnification obligations of the Permian stockholders (including covenant obligations) for a period of two years following the effective time of the Merger.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:22.5pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.35in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Additionally, except under limited circumstances, Ecolab will be required to pay to the Permian stockholders an additional amount in cash, not to exceed $100 million in the aggregate, equal to 50% of the incremental taxes due on such stockholders&#146; receipt of the merger consideration as a result of increases in applicable capital gains rates and investment taxes after December&nbsp;31, 2012.&nbsp; Such additional payment, if owed, will be due on January&nbsp;31, 2014, and will be based on 2013 tax rates as in effect on January&nbsp;1, 2014.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:22.5pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.35in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ecolab funded the initial cash component of the merger consideration through a $900 million unsecured term loan, the proceeds from the issuance of $500 million of 1.450% senior notes due 2017 and commercial paper borrowings backed by its syndicated credit facility.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.35in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The foregoing description of the Merger and the Merger Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement and subsequent amendments thereto, which are identified in the list of exhibits in Item 9.01 below and are incorporated herein</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2<a name="PB_2_065718_7056"></a></font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">by reference.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:22.5pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.35in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On April&nbsp;10, 2013, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the Merger effective on April&nbsp;10, 2013.&nbsp; A copy of the press release is included as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 to this Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:22.5pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.35in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On April&nbsp;10, 2013, Ecolab announced that it has completed a series of&#160; agreements (collectively the &#147;Clariant Agreement&#148;) with Clariant Corporation and its affiliate, Clariant International (collectively, &#147;Clariant&#148;), in accordance with the terms of the Company&#146;s previously announced consent agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. Under the Clariant Agreement, Champion will sell a patent for a product used in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, agreed to license certain other Champion deepwater chemistries to Clariant for use in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, provided an option to Clariant to purchase a Champion chemical blending facility, agreed to manufacture relevant products for Clariant for a limited period and permitted Clariant the opportunity to recruit certain Champion employees. The Clariant Agreement impacts approximately 3% of Champion&#146;s business.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.35in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The information provided in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02. The shares of Ecolab common stock issued in connection with the Merger were issued without registration under the Securities Act, in reliance upon an exemption from registration pursuant to Section&nbsp;4(2)&nbsp;of the Securities Act, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item&nbsp;9.01.</font></b><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Financial Statements and Exhibits</font></b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:25.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <i>Exhibits</i>.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;No.</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2.1</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.38%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Agreement   and Plan of Merger, dated as of October&nbsp;11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC   Technologies Corp. and Permian Mud Service,&nbsp;Inc. &#151; Incorporated by   reference to Exhibit&nbsp;(2.1) of the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;8-K dated   October&nbsp;12, 2012.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.38%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.62%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2.2</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.38%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">First   Amendment dated as of November&nbsp;28, 2012 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October&nbsp;11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service,&nbsp;Inc. &#151; Incorporated by reference to   Exhibit&nbsp;2.3 of the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;10-K Annual Report for the year   ended December&nbsp;31, 2012.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.38%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.62%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2.3</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.38%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Second   Amendment dated as of November&nbsp;30, 2012 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October&nbsp;11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service,&nbsp;Inc. &#151; Incorporated by reference to   Exhibit&nbsp;2.1 of the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;8-K dated November&nbsp;30, 2012.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.38%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2.4</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Third   Amendment dated as of December&nbsp;28, 2012 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October&nbsp;11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service,&nbsp;Inc.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.38%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.62%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2.5</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.38%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Fourth   Amendment dated as of April&nbsp;10, 2013 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October&nbsp;11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service,&nbsp;Inc.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.38%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.62%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.1</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.38%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Registration   Rights Agreement, dated as of April&nbsp;10, 2013 by and among Ecolab Inc.,   the Holders identified on Schedule A thereto and John W. Johnson and Steven   J. Lindley, in their capacity as Holders&#146; Representatives.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.38%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.62%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">News   release dated April&nbsp;10, 2013.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4<a name="PB_4_065950_5796"></a></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:25.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Dated:</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">April&nbsp;11,   2013</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">ECOLAB&nbsp;INC.</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="42%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.22%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.56%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/&nbsp;MICHAEL   C. MCCORMICK</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="5%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:5.56%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Michael   C. McCormick</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Assistant Secretary</font></i></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">5<a name="PB_5_070212_2897"></a></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">EXHIBIT&nbsp;INDEX</font></b></p>
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<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;No.</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2.1</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Agreement   and Plan of Merger, dated as of October&nbsp;11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC   Technologies Corp. and Permian Mud Service,&nbsp;Inc. &#151; Incorporated by   reference to Exhibit&nbsp;(2.1) of the Company&#146;s Form&nbsp;8-K dated   October&nbsp;12, 2012.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2.2</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">First   Amendment dated as of November&nbsp;28, 2012 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October&nbsp;11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service,&nbsp;Inc. &#151; Incorporated by reference to   Exhibit&nbsp;2.3 of our Form&nbsp;10-K Annual Report for the year ended   December&nbsp;31, 2012.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2.3</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Second   Amendment dated as of November&nbsp;30, 2012 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October&nbsp;11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service,&nbsp;Inc. &#151; Incorporated by reference to   Exhibit&nbsp;2.1 of our Form&nbsp;8-K dated November&nbsp;30, 2012.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2.4</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Third   Amendment dated as of December&nbsp;28, 2012 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October&nbsp;11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service,&nbsp;Inc.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2.5</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Fourth   Amendment dated as of April&nbsp;10, 2013 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October&nbsp;11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service,&nbsp;Inc.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">4.1</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Registration   Rights Agreement, dated as of April&nbsp;10, 2013 by and among Ecolab Inc.,   the Holders identified on Schedule A thereto and John W. Johnson and Steven   J. Lindley, in their capacity as Holders&#146; Representatives.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
<tr>
<td width="10%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:10.0%;">
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.14%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="87%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:87.86%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">News   release dated April&nbsp;10, 2013.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">6<a name="PB_6_070416_3020"></a></font></p>
<div style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><hr size="3" width="100%" noshade color="#010101" align="left"></div>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ECOLAB INC", "cik": "0000031462", "assigned-sic": "2840", "irs-number": "410231510", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-09328", "film-number": "13755015"}, "business-address": {"street1": "ECOLAB CORPORATE CENTER", "street2": "370 WABASHA STREET NORTH", "city": "ST PAUL", "state": "MN", "zip": "55102", "phone": "6512932233"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "ECOLAB CORPORATE CENTER", "street2": "370 WABASHA STREET NORTH", "city": "ST. PAUL", "state": "MN", "zip": "55102"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "ECONOMICS LABORATORY INC", "date-changed": "19861203"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
April 10, 2013
ECOLAB INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
1-9328
41-0231510
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
370 Wabasha Street North, Saint Paul, Minnesota
55102
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
1-800-232-6522
(Not applicable)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CRF 240.13e-4(c))
Introductory Note
On April 10, 2013, Permian Mud Service, Inc., a Texas corporation ("Permian") and the parent company of Champion Technologies, Inc. ("Champion") and Corsicana Technologies, Inc. (together with Permian and Champion, the "acquired companies") became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ecolab Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Ecolab" or "the Company"), as a result of the merger of OFC Technologies Corp., a Texas corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ecolab ("Merger Sub"), with and into Permian (the "Merger"). The Merger was effected pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of October 11, 2012, as amended (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among Ecolab, Merger Sub and Permian.
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On April 10, 2013, in connection with the closing of the Merger, Ecolab and the Permian stockholder representatives entered into a registration rights agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement") related to approximately 6.6 million shares of Ecolab's common stock paid as merger consideration pursuant to the Merger Agreement and beneficially owned by the Permian stockholders in an offering exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Registration Rights Agreement is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and the description of the material terms of the Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
On April 10, 2013, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub merged with and into Permian, with Permian surviving the Merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.
Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, after adjustments for assumed debt and other adjustments as set out in the Merger Agreement, Ecolab will pay merger consideration of approximately $1.97 billion (valued based on Ecolab's closing share price on April 10, 2013), consisting of $1.43 billion in cash and 6.6 million shares of Ecolab common stock. Ecolab will deposit approximately $100 million of the merger consideration in the form of shares of Ecolab common stock in an escrow fund to satisfy adjustments to the merger consideration and indemnification obligations of the Permian stockholders (including covenant obligations) for a period of two years following the effective time of the Merger.
Additionally, except under limited circumstances, Ecolab will be required to pay to the Permian stockholders an additional amount in cash, not to exceed $100 million in the aggregate, equal to 50% of the incremental taxes due on such stockholders' receipt of the merger consideration as a result of increases in applicable capital gains rates and investment taxes after December 31, 2012.  Such additional payment, if owed, will be due on January 31, 2014, and will be based on 2013 tax rates as in effect on January 1, 2014.
Ecolab funded the initial cash component of the merger consideration through a $900 million unsecured term loan, the proceeds from the issuance of $500 million of 1.450% senior notes due 2017 and commercial paper borrowings backed by its syndicated credit facility.
The foregoing description of the Merger and the Merger Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement and subsequent amendments thereto, which are identified in the list of exhibits in Item 9.01 below and are incorporated herein
2
by reference.
On April 10, 2013, the Company issued a press release announcing the completion of the Merger effective on April 10, 2013.  A copy of the press release is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
On April 10, 2013, Ecolab announced that it has completed a series of  agreements (collectively the "Clariant Agreement") with Clariant Corporation and its affiliate, Clariant International (collectively, "Clariant"), in accordance with the terms of the Company's previously announced consent agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice. Under the Clariant Agreement, Champion will sell a patent for a product used in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, agreed to license certain other Champion deepwater chemistries to Clariant for use in the Deepwater Gulf of Mexico, provided an option to Clariant to purchase a Champion chemical blending facility, agreed to manufacture relevant products for Clariant for a limited period and permitted Clariant the opportunity to recruit certain Champion employees. The Clariant Agreement impacts approximately 3% of Champion's business.
Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
The information provided in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02. The shares of Ecolab common stock issued in connection with the Merger were issued without registration under the Securities Act, in reliance upon an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act, as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering.
3
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits
.
(d)
Exhibits
.
Exhibit No.
Description
2.1
Agreement   and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC   Technologies Corp. and Permian Mud Service, Inc. — Incorporated by   reference to Exhibit (2.1) of the Company's Form 8-K dated   October 12, 2012.
2.2
First   Amendment dated as of November 28, 2012 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October 11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service, Inc. — Incorporated by reference to   Exhibit 2.3 of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year   ended December 31, 2012.
2.3
Second   Amendment dated as of November 30, 2012 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October 11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service, Inc. — Incorporated by reference to   Exhibit 2.1 of the Company's Form 8-K dated November 30, 2012.
2.4
Third   Amendment dated as of December 28, 2012 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October 11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service, Inc.
2.5
Fourth   Amendment dated as of April 10, 2013 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October 11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service, Inc.
4.1
Registration   Rights Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2013 by and among Ecolab Inc.,   the Holders identified on Schedule A thereto and John W. Johnson and Steven   J. Lindley, in their capacity as Holders' Representatives.
99.1
News   release dated April 10, 2013.
4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated:
April 11,   2013
ECOLAB INC.
By:
/s/ MICHAEL   C. MCCORMICK
Michael   C. McCormick
Assistant Secretary
5
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
2.1
Agreement   and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC   Technologies Corp. and Permian Mud Service, Inc. — Incorporated by   reference to Exhibit (2.1) of the Company's Form 8-K dated   October 12, 2012.
2.2
First   Amendment dated as of November 28, 2012 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October 11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service, Inc. — Incorporated by reference to   Exhibit 2.3 of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended   December 31, 2012.
2.3
Second   Amendment dated as of November 30, 2012 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October 11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service, Inc. — Incorporated by reference to   Exhibit 2.1 of our Form 8-K dated November 30, 2012.
2.4
Third   Amendment dated as of December 28, 2012 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October 11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service, Inc.
2.5
Fourth   Amendment dated as of April 10, 2013 to Agreement and Plan of Merger,   dated as of October 11, 2012, among Ecolab Inc., OFC Technologies Corp.   and Permian Mud Service, Inc.
4.1
Registration   Rights Agreement, dated as of April 10, 2013 by and among Ecolab Inc.,   the Holders identified on Schedule A thereto and John W. Johnson and Steven   J. Lindley, in their capacity as Holders' Representatives.
99.1
News   release dated April 10, 2013.
6