SOLVAY ADDS HIGH PURITY SEMICONDUCTOR GRADE PHOSPHORIC ACID TO ITS WET CHEMICALS PORTFOLIO

20 april 2012 Brussels, 20 April 2012, at 7:30 am SOLVAY ADDS HIGH PURITY SEMICONDUCTOR GRADE PHOSPHORIC ACID TO ITS WET CHEMICALS PORTFOLIO High purity phosphoric acid plant based on a novel and very precise crystallization technology has successfully started production Solvay announced today its new high purity semiconductor grade Phosphoric Acid plant in Bernburg, Germany, is supplying this high added value etching acid to manufacturers of electronic devices and components and the semiconductor industries. This new high purity acid complements Solvay's product portfolio of high purity wet chemicals for the electronics and semiconductor industries such as hydrogen fluoride and peroxides. The plant which uses a novel and very precise crystallization technology has been developed by Solvay and its Dutch technology partner TNO. "This new Phosphoric Acid plant complements a number of investments and capacity expansions carried out by the Electronic Wet Chemicals Division over the past two years, especially in China and the USA, in other high purity products like Hydrogen Peroxide, Hydrofluoric Acid and Ammonium Fluoride. With Phosphoric Acid we are adding a new critical material to our product range whilst relying on our analytical, logistics and customer support capabilities to improve our offering to our semiconductor customers", said Steve Dobson, Head of Solvay's Electronic Wet Chemicals Division. 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- PATRICK VERELST HIDALGO Corporate Press Corporate Press Head of Investor Head of Investor Officer Officer Relations Relations +33 1 53 56 59 62 +32 2 264 1530 +33 1 53 56 64 89 +32 2 264 1540 Press Release: http://hugin.info/133981/R/1604192/507512.pdf This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Solvay S.A. via Thomson Reuters ONE [HUG#1604192]