http://www.perstorpcaprolactones.com/

Embargo: February 1, 2008 at 8:30 AM (Brussels Time)

Sale of Solvay’s Caprolactones business to Perstorp confirmed

Transaction Received European Commission Antitrust Clearance

Solvay confirms the sale of its entire Caprolactones business to the Perstorp Group of Sweden, following approval by the European Commission in early January 2008. The transaction was initially announced last October ( See press release dated October. 15, 2007).

The European Commission concluded that the deal would not distort competition within the European Union, since Perstorp has no Caprolactone production facilities. The EC also found that limited vertical integration with some existing Perstorp activities would have no anti-competitive consequences.

The transaction was accounted for in the fourth quarter 2007 Group accounts. The price for the transaction is EUR 200 million before taxes. This transaction generated a capital gain, which was recorded as non-recurring profit. Furthermore, important non-recurring charges have been booked in relation to previously announced reorganizations and restructurings – particularly in the fluorinated chemicals activities ( see press release dated October 29, 2007). On balance, the impact of these items on the net  2007 income of the Group will be limited.

The activities concerned serve clients worldwide, from a manufacturing site located in Warrington (United Kingdom) and generated a turnover of about EUR 60 million in 2006 with 65 employees.  Perstorp has recently announced that it intends to expand the plant’s capacity.

PERSTORP is a Swedish-based specialty chemical company, world leader in the production of oxo chemicals and polyols, derived mainly from propylene and methanol. Perstorp´s products are used in the aerospace, marine, coatings, chemicals, plastics, engineering and construction industries. Perstorp currently employs approximately 1,800 people and has manufacturing units in ten countries in Asia, Europe, North and South America. In 2006, Perstorp achieved revenues of EUR 780 million. Details are available at  http://www.perstorpcaprolactones.com/

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 (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

Notes to the Editors:

Caprolactone: The existing portfolio of Caprolactones products marketed by Solvay under the CAPA® brand includes a wide range of commercial products used in applications such as paints & coatings, thermoplastic polyurethanes, adhesives, cast elastomers as well as in different solutions for the automotive, aerospace, medical and shoe industries.