A new Solvay organization geared towards sustainable, value-creative growth

16 januari 2013 Brussels, January 16(th), 2013 --- Solvay today presented the new structure for its business activities and leadership team. The Group has redesigned its organization, with a far-reaching review of business processes and corporate functions, and a focus on simplifying and decentralizing its management structure. Thanks to these changes, Solvay is more agile and in a better position to seize growth opportunities, whilst keeping customer focus, operational excellence, corporate social responsibility, and innovation in sustainable chemistry, at the top of its priorities. "Today's Solvay is the result of the successful integration of Solvay and Rhodia and an extensive transformation. Few groups would have been able to bring about such major changes in such a short period of time. Through the mobilization of our teams, we have managed to convert the two former companies into one of the ten largest chemical companies worldwide. Our new signature, Asking more from chemistry, is more than a pledge; it's a vision and a challenge to which we are fully committed," said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, Chairman of Solvay's Executive Committee. Five Operating Segments showcasing Solvay's areas of expertise Showcasing Solvay's areas of expertise, the new business organisation has five Operating Segments. The Operating Segments reflect the different business models most adequate to the diverse business drivers and competitive dynamics across the Group's portfolio, ensuring focus on the critical levers for success. The Operating Segments and their comprising Global Business Units (GBU) are at the heart of the Group's growth and value creation ambition. They are committed to delivering growth, profits and cash generation in the short and mid-term. Reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit embedded within Solvay's culture, the GBUs focus on customers and markets, and are endowed with the relevant operational levers to execute their strategic roadmaps. Effective as from January 1(st), 2013, Solvay's business organisation is as follows: -        Consumer Chemicals serves the consumer products markets. Its strategy is based on the development of a sustainable offering suited to the major market mega trends of demographic growth, emerging markets' increasing purchase power, the appearance of new modes of consumption and a demand for safer, more sustainable and bio-based solutions. -         Advanced Materials focuses on ultra-high performance applications addressing the needs of industries such as advanced transportation, healthcare, energy efficient tires, automotive emission control, smart devices or hybrid vehicles batteries. -         Performance Chemicals operates in specific, highly resilient and mature markets whose key success factors are principally, economies of scale, competitiveness, and quality of service. -        Functional Polymers brings together the Chloro-Vinyls chain and Polyamide activities of the Group to serve mainly the construction and infrastructure, automotive and electrical/electronics industries. -        Corporate Business and Services includes the Solvay Energy Services GBU as well as all the Corporate Functions, including Solvay Business Services and the Research & Innovation Center. The Executive Committee, a collegial body to support business and growth Acting as a collegial body, the Executive Committee is responsible for the Group's vision, setting mid and long-term strategy, monitoring delivery of results and optimizing resource allocation across businesses. It is collectively responsible for overall value creation and for the preservation of the Group's global interests. The Executive Committee includes six members: Jean-Pierre Clamadieu (CEO), Bernard de Laguiche (CFO), Gilles Auffret, Vincent De Cuyper, Roger Kearns and Jacques van Rijckevorsel. Each member of the Executive Committee closely supervises dedicated Operating Segments and Corporate Functions. The Group financial communication will follow this new organization structure in five Operating Segments as from January 1st 2013. SOLVAY is an international chemical Group committed to sustainable development with a clear focus on innovation and operational excellence. It 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 31,000 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 Media Relations Media Relations Investor Relations Investor Relations +33 1 53 56 59 62 +32 2 264 1530 +32 2 264 1984 +32 2 264 1540 See the press release in PDF with the description of our GBUs: http://hugin.info/133981/R/1670837/543048.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#1670837]