Solvay SA

Major Shareholding Notification • Feb 17, 2012

REGULATED INFORMATION

BRUSSELS, 17 February 2012, 8.00 pm (cet).

In accordance with the financial transparency rules and legislation, Solvac has notified Solvay that on February 17th 2012 the participation of Solvay Stock Option Management (SSOM), a subsidiary of Solvay SA, has passed downward the threshold of 3%.

At this date the participation of Solvay Stock Option Management amounted to 2.81 % of the shares issued by Solvay SA or 2,379,560 shares.

The Solvay Group, through SSOM and Solvay SA, entered into transactions with a third party resulting in a spot sale of 864 842 Solvay shares and synthetic forward purchases with cash settlements for the same number of shares. These transactions were executed at closing price of the Solvay shares on Friday 17th February 2012 and include a cash proceed of 74,8 MEUR.

These transactions are part of a broader ongoing optimization strategy of Solvay's stock option plans and the obligations assumed by Solvay in the context of the Rhodia's acquisition for shares issued under Rhodia's free shares plans and which were blocked at the time of the tender offer.

In addition, these transactions provide for the hedging of Solvay's Profit & Loss account risk resulting from the mark-to-market of the rights under these Rhodia free shares plans.

Solvac's participation in Solvay amounts to 30.15% or 25,535,757 shares.

For further information please contact:

PATRICK VERELST, Head of Investor Relations SOLVAY S.A. T. +32 2 264 1540 Patrick.verelst@solvay.com

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