(24/09/2008) SOLVAY STRENGTHENS POSITION IN FLUORINATED HIGH-PERFORMANCE MATERIALS IN ASIA

Embargo: September 24, 2008 at 8:30 AM (Brussels time) SOLVAY STRENGTHENS POSITION IN FLUORINATED HIGH-PERFORMANCE MATERIALS IN ASIA Second world-class production plant of Polytetrafluoroethylene Micronised Powder Solvay announces today the inauguration of its new world-class Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Micronised Powder production unit in the People's Republic of China, to serve the dynamic local demand for innovative and high performance materials. PTFE Micronised Powders, marketed under the brand name Polymist®, are used in a variety of complex applications, such as the manufacturing of cosmetics, high gloss inks, high performance lubricants and heat-resistant materials. This new facility is Solvay's second Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) Micronised Powder production unit, the first facility being in Marshallton, Delaware, USA. Solvay is the only highly integrated PTFE Micronised Powder manufacturer with production units in both NAFTA and Asia. The demand for micronised PTFE in Asia and particularly in China is fuelled by both the fast development of a local customer base as well as by the creation of local production facilities by a number of Solvay's global clients. The new facility will allow Solvay to continue to use its patented technology and ability to customize products to meet the individual needs of its customers. The new Polymist® facility is in the Jiangsu High-Tech Fluorochemical Industrial Park in Changshu some 100 kilometres west of Shanghai - and is managed by the operating units of Solvay Solexis, a fully-owned subsidiary of the Solvay Group. The new plant is consistent with Solvay's geographical expansion strategy into fast growing markets. "Our geographical expansion into high growth markets such as China and India is an essential part of our strategy to grow the Specialty Polymers business," commented Vincenzo Morici, General Manager, Strategic Business Unit Specialty Polymers. "Deploying a local production capacity enables us to offer world class product and services to our local clients as well as to our global customers with all the advantages linked to proximity, in terms of logistics and reactivity," added Pierre Joris, CEO of Solvay Solexis. "This first plant is an important step in establishing a solid industrial platform and presence for our fluoromaterials in Asia". Other recent initiatives in Asia include the acquisition of the ultra performance polymers activities of Gharda Chemicals in Panoli, India; the creation of a high performance materials R&D and marketing platform in Shanghai, China; setting up a joint venture for the development, production and marketing of High Purity Hydrogen Peroxide in Suzhou, China and the commissioning of a new production facility for fluorinated chemical specialties in Onsan, South Korea. SOLVAY is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs more then 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 more information, please contact: Erik De Leye, Corporate Press Officer SOLVAY S.A. T. + 32 2 509 72 30 erik.deleye@solvay.com www.solvaypress.com Patrick Verelst, Investor Relations SOLVAY S.A. T. +32 2 509 72 43 patrick.verelst@solvay.com www.solvay-investors.com Communiqué 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/2008/143481_88_8071_GKBNE6-KPFRIVUH-20080924PFTEChinaEN.pdf [CN#143481]