Solvay launches a new step in its transformation to better serve customers

Transformation plan to simplify organization and upgrade innovation capabilities

Brussels, March 29, 2018 --- Solvay is taking a new step in its transformation, putting its customers at the core of its organization to enhance its long-term growth as an advanced materials and specialty chemicals company.

Solvay announces plans to simplify its organization that needs to be adapted to its portfolio which is now strongly focused on high-performance materials and tailored solutions, as well as to its changing customer base.

"This new step in Solvay's transformation centers on better serving our customers. Over the past six years we built a business portfolio to generate superior and sustainable growth. Now we need to follow through and drastically simplify our organization and processes as well as align all our resources. This will allow Solvay to provide differentiated experiences for customers and maximize value for the Group," said Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, CEO of Solvay.

More specifically, the project would result in:

• A more agile organization to support customer needs

Solvay will simplify processes and tasks to focus teams on customers, allowing them to faster anticipate and better respond to their demands. Solvay will keep its decentralized model whereby its Global Business Units are responsible for developing their own strategic plans and implement them with the support of the Group.

• Stronger Research & Innovation capabilities in Lyon and an expanded R&I scope in Brussels

In France, Solvay plans to upgrade its largest global research site in Lyon to a center for advanced chemistry mid the region's dynamic innovation ecosystem. In Belgium, the expansion of R&I in advanced materials science would coincide with plans to revamp the Brussels headquarters, fostering collaboration among employees and with partners.

• Relocation from Aubervilliers and Paris to Lyon and Brussels

As a consequence, Solvay plans to relocate its Aubervilliers and nearly all of its Paris activities to Lyon and to a lesser extent to Brussels, concentrating R&I into these centers.

The Group today launched the relevant information/consultation procedures with employee representatives. These procedures should be completed at the end of June. The Group is committed to supporting employees throughout this transformation while limiting job losses as much as possible.