Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION

 

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):  February 7, 2002

 

 

ECOLAB INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware

 

1-9328

 

41-0231510

(State or other jurisdiction

 

(Commission

 

(IRS Employer

of incorporation)

 

File Number)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

370 Wabasha Street North, St. Paul, Minnesota

 

55102

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

Registrant's telephone number, include area code:   651-293-2233

 

 

(Not applicable)

(Former name or former address, if changed from last report.)

 

 


 

Item 5.    Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On February 7, 2002 Ecolab Inc. (the “Company”) announced that it closed on the placement of Euro 300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 5.375% Notes due 2007.  The offered securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States without registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

 

The net proceeds of the offering will be used to refinance existing debt of the Company.

 

A copy of the News Release issued by Ecolab is attached hereto as Exhibit (99).

 

 

Item 7.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(c)           Exhibits.

 

(99)  Ecolab Inc. News Release dated February 7, 2002.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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.

 

 

 

 

ECOLAB INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Kenneth A. Iverson

 

 

 

Kenneth A. Iverson

 

 

 

Vice President and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

February 7, 2002

 

 

 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

EXHIBIT NO.

 

DESCRIPTION

 

METHOD OF FILING

(99)

 

Ecolab Inc. News Release dated February 7, 2002

 

Filed herewith electronically.