Bekaert : sells Solaronics SA to Argynnis Group AB 09 Jul 2018

Press release

Press - Investors Katelijn Bohez

T +32 56 76 66 10www.bekaert.com

9 July 2018

Bekaert sells Solaronics SA to Argynnis Group AB

Bekaert and Argynnis Group AB of Sweden signed and closed an agreement today regarding the sale of all shares of Solaronics SA to Argynnis. The transaction covers the production facility in Armentières (France) and an international sales & services network.

An in-depth analysis showed that the further growth potential of the drying business of Bekaert Combustion Technologies be best secured by entrusting its future potential to an organization combining the competences of two complementary industry players.

Argynnis Group (formerly Binar AB), with headquarters in Trollhättan Sweden, develops niche companies with unique products or technologies. The Group has around 330 employees in Sweden, Germany, France, and Finland. Ircon Drying Systems AB, the Group's Heating & Drying platform, is one of the world's leading companies in non-contact drying based on electric infrared technology. Solaronics is a global leader in gas driven infrared drying systems for a wide range of industries including paper and board, metal processing and various other industrial applications. With the acquisition of Solaronics SA, Argynnis Group will now offer an enriched range of products and services for both electric and gas driven systems.

The divestment of the drying activities is a confirmation of Bekaert's strategic focus on steel wire transformation and coating technologies, the Group's core competences.

About Bekaert

Bekaert(www.bekaert.com)is a world market and technology leader in steel wire transformation and coating technologies. We pursue to be the preferred supplier for our steel wire products and solutions by continuously delivering superior value to our customers worldwide. Bekaert (Euronext Brussels: BEKB) is a global company with almost 30 000 employees worldwide, headquarters in Belgium and € 4.8 billion in combined revenue.

Disclaimer

The foregoing release may contain forward-looking statements regarding the impact of the transaction on the financial statements of Bekaert. Such statements reflect the current views of management regarding future events, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such statements. Bekaert is providing the information in this press release as of this date and does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Bekaert disclaims any liability for statements made or published by third parties and does not undertake any obligation to correct inaccurate data, information, conclusions or opinions published by third parties in relation to this or any other press release issued by Bekaert.

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