(11/09/2008) VINYTHAI : SOLVAY'S VINYLS AFFILIATE IN THAILAND INCREASES PVC PRODUCTION CAPACITY

Embargo: September 11, 2008 at 8:30 AM (Brussels Time) VINYTHAI : SOLVAY'S VINYLS AFFILIATE IN THAILAND INCREASES PVC PRODUCTION CAPACITY Vinythai strengthens its position as a fully integrated world class PVC producer Solvay announces today that its Thai affiliate Vinythai has increased its polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production capacity in its plant in Map Ta Phut (Thailand) by 70,000 metric tonnes to 280,000 metric tonnes per year, to accompany the growth projects of its clients in the dynamic markets of South East Asia. The capacity increase is part of a strategic development aiming at a world class PVC production plant, fully integrated upstream. Recently Vinythai increased its production capacity in Chlor-Alkali (Caustic Soda and Chlorine) and of Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM), the intermediate product for the manufacturing of PVC. Vinythai invested EUR 17 million in the PVC capacity increase, which is now fully operational. It is a very attractive investment at marginal cost benefiting from the existing infrastructure. In a further stage, Vinythai plans to lift the annual PVC production capacity stepwise to a total of 400,000 metric tonnes, with the purpose to achieve a fully balanced vinyls value chain on-site. This future PVC expansion will further consolidate Vinythai as a world class producer with a strong competitive position. In the mean time, the remainder of VCM is successfully sold on the regional market. "The PVC market in South East Asia is growing fast", says Jean-Pierre Pleska, General Manager of the Strategic Business Unit Vinyls. "Our investment enables Vinythai to satisfy the needs of its customers and strengthens Vinythai's competitive position as a fully integrated world class PVC producer", adds Pleska. VINYTHAI is a listed company on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The major shareholders are Solvay, S.A of Belgium, currently holding 49.99%, PTT Chemical Public Company Limited of Thailand, currently holding 24.98% and Charoen Pokphand Group of Thailand, currently holding 11.87%. VNT is the second largest chlor-alkali and vinyls producer in South East Asia. It currently has a fully integrated PVC production capacity of 280,000 tpa. SOLVAY is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs some 29,000 people in 50 countries. In 2006, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 9.4 billion, generated by its three sectors of activity: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay (Euronext: SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR) is listed on the Euronext stock exchange in Brussels. Details are available at www.solvay.com For further information please contact : Erik De Leye Corporate Press Officer SOLVAY S.A. Phone: +32 2 509 72 30 erik.deleye@solvay.com www.solvaypress.com Cheeranorawanich Sompot Corporate Affairs and Communications Vinythai Public Company Limited Phone. +66 2 2299171 sompot.cheeranorawanich@solvay.com www.vinythai.co.th Ce communiqué de presse est également disponible en français - Dit persbericht is ook in het Nederlands beschikbaar Copyright Hugin The appendixes relating to the press release are available on: http://www.hugingroup.com/documents_ir/PJ/CO/2008/142828_88_7960_20080911MapTaPhutEN.pdf [CN#142828]