SOLVAY GROUP - 3RD QUARTER AND 1ST 9 MONTHS 2015 BUSINESS REVIEW

Brussels, October 29, 2015

Q3 highlights

· Group net sales were € 2,714 m, up 5% yoy. This was fully attributable to the conversion impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations which contributed 5%. Scope effects of 1% were offset by lower volumes for (1)%. Overall prices remained stable year on year.

· REBITDA totaled € 524 m, up 14% yoy. Strong pricing power of € 58 m across all operating segments, more than offset the small negative volume impact and the increased fixed cost base for € (14) m and € (17) m respectively. The effect of conversion forex was € 37 m. The REBITDA margin widened to 19% of net sales, up 157 basis points.    
 
>  Advanced Formulations at € 98 m, down (8)% yoy, as the substantial demand decline in the oil & gas industry persisted, partly compensated by higher sales volumes at Aroma Performance; 
>  Advanced Materials at € 236m, up 26% yoy, another consecutive record quarter, driven by volume growth in all GBUs especially in Specialty Polymers, underpinned by strong demand for smart devices;
>  Performance Chemicals at € 211 m, up 9% yoy, supported by strong net pricing across the operating segment and a sequential improvement in Acetow's volumes;
>  Functional Polymers, at € 44 m, more than doubled yoy, mainly as a result of higher net pricing and volumes in Polyamide, while RusVinyl's contribution continued to grow;
>  Corporate and Business Services' net costs were € (66) m, € (16) m more than last year, largely as a result of adverse currency effects, and a one-off impairment of € (7) m on carbon emission rights.

· IFRS Net income Solvay share was € 103 m versus € 115 m in 2014. Adjusted Net Income Solvay share was € 121 m versus € 133 m in Q3 2014, as the increase in REBITDA as well as lower financial charges and taxes were outweighed by foreign exchange impacts at RusVinyl, higher non-recurring costs linked to the Cytec acquisition and a lower contribution from discontinued operations.

· Free Cash Flow amounted to € 188 m versus € 122 m in 2014. Net debt consequently decreased to € 1,473 m from € 1,608 m at the end of the second quarter.

· Interim gross dividend of € 1.36 per share, payable on January 21, 2016. The total dividend, to be announced in February 2016, will be adjusted to reflect the distribution of rights during the contemplated capital increase, as is customary for transactions of this type.

Quote of the CEO, Jean-Pierre Clamadieu
Solvay delivered a strong performance in the third quarter, evidencing the impact of the Group's transformation. Good organic growth was a result of our broad and global portfolio, our consistent focus on innovation, excellence and in particular sustained pricing power across our businesses, despite continuing weakness in some of the markets we serve. The results also benefited from favorable exchange rates.

Our transformation will continue with the acquisition of Cytec, which we expect to conclude by year end 2015. We are mobilizing for a rapid and effective integration process and synergy realization. We are confident and enthusiastic about the value creation from this combination, which will drive the next phase of our growth.