(26/06/2008) SOLVAY : INERGY AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS STARTS OPERATIONS IN CHINA

Embargo: June 26, 2008 at 12:00 AM (Brussels Time) The Solvay / Plastic Omnium joint venture at the heart of a fast-growing industry Solvay today announced that its affiliate Inergy Automotive Systems, world leader in fuel systems for the automotive industry, has launched operations at its new production unit of Wuhan in the Hubei province of China. The facility has started delivering fuel systems to production plants operated by Nissan and BMW in China. Inergy Automotive Systems, in which Solvay and French group Plastic Omnium each have a 50% interest, is also seeking additional opportunities on the fast growing Chinese automotive market. China's output of motor vehicles ranked the third in the world after Japan and the United States in 2007. Chinese production rose 22% to 8.88 million motor vehicles last year, according to statistics from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). "Inergy Automotive Systems is a global player; with this new plant, it demonstrates once again its ability to serve global customers wherever they operate and to capture sound growth wherever it materializes. Our affiliate for fuel systems contributes to Solvay's strategy for sustainable and profitable growth," said Jacques van Rijckevorsel, General Manager of the Plastics Sector and Member of the executive Committee, Solvay. Inergy Automotive Systems is the world's number one supplier of complete plastic fuel systems and fuel storage technologies (for petrol, diesel and biofuels). The company was set up as an equal share joint venture by the French company Plastic Omnium and Solvay SA. Inergy Automotive Systems has its head office in Paris; the company employs a workforce of around 4,600 and has 24 production plants in 18 countries. For more details go to www.inergyautomotive.com. 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#139377]