SOLVAC NOM(RETAIL) : CASH INCOME STABLE INTERIM DIVIDEND PUT UP TO EUR 2.72 GROSS

The full press release is available on http://www.solvac.be/:
http://www.solvac.be/

Brussels, August 31, 2012, 5.50 p.m.

REGULATED INFORMATION
HALF-YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT

SOLVAC: CASH INCOME STABLE
INTERIM DIVIDEND PUT UP TO EUR 2.72 GROSS

1. The Board of Directors has closed the consolidated financial statements of Solvac on June 30, 2012. These statements have been submitted to the Statutory Auditor for a limited review and are presented in accordance with the IFRS standards.

On June 30, 2012  Solvac recorded  a consolidated net income of EUR 83 million (EUR 5.4 per share) against EUR 59 million (EUR 3.9 per share) over the same period in 2011. This is mainly due to the evolution of equity earnings of Solvay, in 2012 including the share of the Rhodia Sector for the first time.

2. The cash inflow, fed by dividends from the investment in Solvay,  amounts to EUR 47.7 million as in 2011:

This evolution reflects the stability of the Solvay dividend per share.  The slight decline is due to a temporary surcharge of services.

End June 2012, Solvac held 30.18 % of Solvay versus 30.15% at the end of 2011.

To the extent that the statutory accounts will allow it (see under 3 below), the proposed amount of dividends to be distributed by Solvac is determined by the Board of Directors on the basis of the cash income (EUR 44.8 million), after coverage of the costs (mainly financial charges).
3. The Board of Directors of Solvac SA has issued the following figures for the first half of 2012 statutory accounts:

Profits after taxes amount to EUR 44.8 million, and are stable in comparison with the previous year (EUR 44.9 million).

4. The Board of Directors has decided to increase the first interim dividend to EUR 2.72 gross per share, an amount corresponding to 60% of the total rounded up dividend of the preceding year, in accordance with the policy decision made in 2006. Depending on the shareholder's preference as to the tax rate, the net amount shall be either EUR 2.040 (25% tax rate, including the 4% supplementary taxation) or EUR 2.149 (21% tax rate).

This first interim dividend will be paid on October 25, 2012.

This will amount to a gross distribution of EUR 41.6 million, with EUR 3.2 million of net income brought forward.

As from September 24, 2012, the Solvac shares will be traded ex-dividend on NYSE Euronext Brussels.

The second interim dividend will be decided by the Board of Directors and announced on December 17, 2012.

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. Financial statements
Deloitte conducted a limited review of the half-year situation made up on June 30, 2012. This primarily consisted in analyzing, comparing and discussing financial information and was therefore less extensive than a review intended for the audit of annual statements. This review did not reveal factors that would have required significant correction of the intermediate figures.

2. Content
This press release contains regulatory information and is established in compliance with the IAS 34 standard. A risk analysis is included in the annual report, which is available on the Internet (www.solvac.be:
http://www.solvac.be/).

3. Solvac shares

4. Statement by responsible persons
Mr. J.-P. Delwart, Chairman of the Board, and Mr. B. de Laguiche, Managing Director of Solvac, confirm that to the best of their knowledge:
a) the summary financial information, prepared in conformity with applicable accounting standards, reflects a true and fair view of the net worth, the financial situation and results of the Solvac Group and of Solvac S.A.;
b) the intermediate report contains a faithful presentation of the significant events occurring over the first six months of 2012, and their impact on the summary financial information.

Key dates for financial communications
October 25, 2012: payment of first interim dividend for 2012
December 17, 2012 at 5.50 p.m: Press release about the second interim dividend

For additional information, please contact:

SOLVAC S.A.
Investor Relations
Rue de Ransbeek 310
1120 Brussels
Phone: 32 (0)2 264 15 01

[1] The net earnings per share and the diluted net earnings per share are identical. The number of shares used for per share calculation is 15 300 527 in 2011 and 15 275 617 in 2012.