SOLVAY ORGANICS GmbH announces that it successfully completed its public bid on GIRINDUS AG - a listed specialty chemicals company based in Bensberg, Germany - as shareholders representing a total of 70,43 % of the company's capital accepted the voluntary offer launched last July or have agreed to sell their shares in the context of this transaction. SOLVAY could further improve its position in the capital of GIRINDUS, as according to German public bid regulations a two-week additional acceptance period - starting on August 25 - isgiving the owners of outstanding shares a second opportunity to accept SOLVAY's voluntary offer, at EUR 7.00. SOLVAY's offer values GIRINDUS at around EUR 45 million.

The relevant competition authorities have cleared the acquisition. The closing of the transaction is expected after the finalization of the bid.

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 skills and competences will complement SOLVAY's own R&D capabilities.

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.

Note to the editors
Organic Chemical Specialties belong to a large class of chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon. Organic chemical specialties offer many opportunities for the development of proprietary, value added productions and applications, for instance suited for the future development of next-generation information technologies or biochemicals. These compounds are complementary to Solvay's existing portfolio in Inorganic Chemicals, which include mineral, hydrogen and halogen products.

For further information please contact ;
SOLVAY S.A. Headquarters
Martial Tardy
Corporate Press Officer
Telephone : 32/2/509.72.30
Fax : 32/2/509.72.40