SOLVAY DEVELOPS COST-EFFECTIVE SMALL SIZED HYDROGEN PEROXIDE UNITS FOR ON-SITE PRODUCTION AT ITS CUSTOMERS´ SITES

Brussels, 5 April 2012, at 7:30 am

SOLVAY DEVELOPS COST-EFFECTIVE SMALL SIZED HYDROGEN PEROXIDE UNITS FOR ON-SITE
PRODUCTION AT ITS CUSTOMERS´ SITES

Solvay´s proprietary and innovative technology for HP production at the
customers´ sites in remote areas complements its HP production technology

Solvay announced today it is jointly developing with Peróxidos do Brasil a new
concept of small cost-effective hydrogen peroxide (HP) production units for
installation at its customers´ sites. This on-site HP production concept is
based on Solvay´s new proprietary and innovative technology developments, which
will allow it to operate cost-effective production units of sizes between 5,000
and 15,000 metric tons HP per year in safe and reliable conditions. This concept
is well-suited for pulp and paper production plants in remote areas. An
industrial pilot plant will soon be built at the Peróxidos do Brasil site in
Curitiba, Brazil. Peróxidos do Brasil is a HP joint venture of Solvay and
Produtos Quimicos Makay.

This new HP production technology complements Solvay´s portfolio of HP
production technologies, ranging from the typical HP plant with a capacity of
50,000 metric tons per year to the HP mega plant with a capacity that can exceed
300,000 metric tons per year. Two such mega plants have been erected by Solvay
in joint projects with large chemical groups for downstream production of
propylene oxide. A third one is projected to become operational in 2015. Solvay
is developing this new breakthrough technology with many innovations in its HP
R&D Center in Brussels, Belgium, and Peróxidos do Brasil´s HP plant in Curitiba,
Brazil.

"Solvay, the global hydrogen peroxide market and technology leader, is clearly
committed to develop new cost-effective production technologies which allow
competitive hydrogen peroxide use at remote sites where the cost of logistics is
substantial. Remotely located pulp and paper producers in the fast growing
markets of Latin America and Asia will benefit from this technology", commented
Eric Mignonat, Senior Executive Vice President and General Manager of the
Strategic Development Unit Essential Chemicals of Solvay. "Using on-site
produced hydrogen peroxide as a bleaching agent will bring major benefits to
these customers as it ensures reliable and cost-efficient supply of hydrogen
peroxide, " he added.

SOLVAY is an international chemical Group committed to sustainable development
with a clear focus on innovation and operational excellence. Its recent
acquisition of specialty chemicals company Rhodia created a much larger player,
which is realizing over 90% of its sales in markets where it is among the top 3
global leaders. Solvay offers a broad range of products that contribute to
improving the quality of life and the performance of its customers in markets
such as consumer goods, construction, automotive, energy, water and environment,
and electronics. The Group is headquartered in Brussels, employs about 29,000
people in 55 countries and generated EUR 12.7 billion in net sales in 2011 (pro
forma). Solvay SA (SOLB.BE) is listed on NYSE Euronext in Brussels and Paris
(Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR).

For further details, please contact:

LAMIA NARCISSE ERIK DE LEYE MARIA ALCON-HIDALGO PATRICK VERELST

Corporate Press Corporate Press Head of Investor Head of Investor
Officer Officer Relations Relations

[phone] [phone] [phone] [phone]

Press Release:
http://hugin.info/133981/R/1600370/505142.pdf

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Source: Solvay S.A. via Thomson Reuters ONE
[HUG#1600370]

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