(19/06/2008) SOLVAY'S TAVAUX (FRANCE) PLANT TO BE POWERED WITH BIOMASS-BASED ENERGY

Embargo: June 19, 2008 at 12:00 AM (Brussels Time) A sustainable and competitive alternative to fossil fuels Solvay announced today that the project for a biomass thermal power plant which will supply energy to its Tavaux (France) site from 2010 has received approval from the French authorities. The plant, which will be built and operated by the French energy group Dalkia, will allow Solvay to reduce the fossil fuel consumption of the Tavaux site, while cutting CO2 emissions by 20%. Half of the biomass consumed in Tavaux will come from recycling; the rest will consist of lopped-off branches generated by existing operations of the forestry industry. The biomass power plant in Tavaux will require a total investment of EUR 67 million and will create 50 new jobs. The plant will generate both 30 megawatts of electricity and 30 metric tons/hour of steam. The steam will be utilized in Solvay's manufacturing operations, while the electricity will be sold by Dalkia to Electricité de France (EDF). "With this new plant, Solvay and its partner Dalkia are making a substantial contribution to France's commitment to develop energy production from renewable resources," commented Jean-Michel Mesland, General Manager for Research and Technology, Solvay. "Our plans in Tavaux, as well as our secondary solid fuel project in Bernburg, Germany, illustrate Solvay's long-standing policy of diversifying energy sources, to foster the group's sustainable and profitable development," continued Jean-Michel Mesland. A subsidiary of Veolia Environnement and Electricité de France (EDF), DALKIA is the leading European provider of energy services to local authorities and businesses. With nearly 55 000 employees in 38 countries, Dalkia reported managed revenue of EUR 7.9 billion in 2007. SOLVAY is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs more than 28,000 people in 50 countries. In 2007, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 9.6 billion, generated by its three sectors of activity: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay (NYSE Euronext: SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR) is listed on the NYSE Euronext stock exchange in Brussels. Details are available at www.solvay.com For further information please contact : MARTIAL TARDY Corporate Press Officer SOLVAY S.A. Phone: 32 2 509 72 30 E-mail : martial.tardy@solvay.com Internet: www.solvaypress.com PATRICK VERELST Investor Relations SOLVAY S.A. Phone. 32 2 509 72 43 E-mail : patrick.verelst@solvay.com Internet: www.solvay-investors.com Copyright Hugin [CN#139065]