Press Release

Brussels, January 22, 2008

Solvay Chemicals International launches first fully automated e-sales channel

in Europe for essential chemicals :  www.esolion.com

Solvay Chemicals International, a 100% subsidiary of the Solvay group, is launching Esolion^® (www.esolion.com), its new dedicated, direct sales channel for essential chemical products.  Esolion^® is now operational in 10 European countries and sells standard grades of Caustic soda, Hydrochloric Acid and Sodium Hypochlorite to well identified customers. The pricing strategy of Esolion is targeting mainly the small customer market segment buying full truck loads.

Esolion^®’s innovative business model responds to an increasing demand from customers seeking to buy essential chemicals in the simplest and most direct way from Solvay, a leading company.  Esolion^® offers experienced customers a fully-automated capability to order chemicals in full truck loads, without schedule constraints, at attractive conditions.

Customers interested in Esolion^® ’s new business model can register directly through www.esolion.com and will rapidly receive validation of their demand from the Esolion team. Customers will be given a user ID and password to access a price list for the available products in the country concerned and may start placing orders immediately.

Haimo Zekoll, Channel Manager at Solvay Chemicals International commented: “Solvay Chemicals International has been consistently deploying effective e-business tools since the beginning of the decade. Esolion® is the next, logical step forward in the development of e-tools, following the successes of the Extranet platform www.Solvay4me.com and B2B-integrations through Elemica, the chemical industry connectivity hub. Esolion^® will serve as an additional e-channel to serve a specific customer segment.”

Bruno Van Parys, Sales and Marketing Manager, Strategic Business Unit Electrochemistry and Derived Specialties : “Solvay Chemicals International is a leader in essential Chemicals worldwide and has a strong position inAlkali-products in Europe.  The aim of Esolion® is to be the most efficient and cost-effective channel for small customers seeking to pay for the basics – and nothing else.”

For all further information visit: www.esolion.com