SOLVAY Organics GmbH announces the launch of a friendly bid to acquire at least 51% of GIRINDUS AG, a publicly listed specialty chemicals company based in Bensberg, Germany. Shareholders holding approximately 35% of outstanding shares, have indicated their willingness to sell their stake to SOLVAY. SOLVAY's voluntary offer values GIRINDUS at around EUR 45 million.

Pending the successful outcome of the offer and relevant regulatory procedures, the transaction is likely to be completed in the next few months.

GIRINDUS is an expert research-based company which manufactures and develops a portfolio of proprietary chemical specialties and processes. GIRINDUS has developed proprietary technologies for the production of oligo-nucleotides, compounds active in treating genetic diseases. The company has operations in Germany and the United States, with 140 employees - including 50 highly educated scientists holding PhDs whose competences would complement Solvay's own R&D capabilities.

"The acquisition of GIRINDUS will mark another step in the implementation of the Group's strategy of profitable and sustainable growth," commented Dr. E. Piepho, General Manager of the new Business Unit and Managing Director of Solvay Organics GmbH. "It will complement the Group's existing businesses in organic chemical specialties, and will put Solvay in a position to offer a range of innovative molecules, materials and solutions for novel applications, hence matching demands from the Group's global customer base beyond its current product lines" he added.

SOLVAY ORGANICS GmbH is a 100% subsidiary of Solvay GmbH, the German subsidiary of the Solvay Group.

SOLVAY is an international chemicals and pharmaceuticals group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs some 30,000 people in 50 countries. In 2004 consolidated sales amounted to EUR 7.9 billion generated by its three activity sectors: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. SOLVAY is listed on the Euronext 100 index of top European companies. Details are available at www.solvay.com.