Ecolab Inc. provides earnings guidance for the year 2012 and 2013. For the year 2012, the company expects to deliver adjusted diluted earnings per share in the $2.96 to $3.00 range despite the delayed passage of the 2012 R&D tax credit in early January 2013. As Ecolab previously announced, the credit was expected to benefit the fourth quarter of 2012 by $0.01 per share. Due to the delayed approval by Congress, the $0.01 per share R&D tax credit benefit will now be recorded as a discrete tax item in the first quarter of 2013 and not included in 2012 results. Special gains and charges for the full year 2012 are expected to be a net charge of approximately $0.60 per share.

For the 2013, the company expects adjusted diluted earnings per share, excluding special gains and charges and discrete tax items, to be in a $3.38 to $3.48 range, including the approximately $0.03 per share dilutive impact of the previously announced Vehicle Care Division sale and excluding the accretive impact of the pending Champion acquisition.