Egeplast acquires innovative Solvay technology

The financial details of the agreement, which cover the transfer of technology, production equipment and know-how to Egeplast, will not be disclosed.

The HexelOne^TM process is aimed for the production of pipes of between 180 and 1000 mm in diameter, able to sustain pressures of 25 bars and higher, making them suitable for applications in major utilities as well as for the transport of fluids in the manufacturing industry. Compared with existing technologies, this high resistance can be obtained using reduced quantities of one single type of plastic resin (instead of a combination of several raw materials for the production of multilayer reinforced pipes), ensuring full recyclability as well as improved cost and energy efficiency of the end product.

"HexelOne illustrates the dynamism of innovation within Solvay," commented Leopold Demiddeleer, Corporate R&D and New Business Development Director, Solvay. "We believe that Egeplast is in the best position to realize the technology's full potential, in terms of commercial success and in terms of environmental advantages for society at large," Leopold Demiddeleer added.

Solvay is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs some 30,000 people in 50 countries. In 2005 its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 8.6 billion generated by its three activity sectors: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay (Euronext : SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLB.BR) is listed on the Euronext stock exchange in Brussels. Details are available at www.solvay.com.

Egeplast (http://www.egeplast.de) is the fourth largest manufacturer of Polyethylene pipes in Europe and is independent of any group. In the most modern PE pipe works in Europe, built in 2000 in Greven, this family company produces high quality pipes for drinking water, waste water and gas distribution as well as cable protection. In these applications Egeplast is not only a forerunner in the product development of modern multilayer pipes, but also for innovations in production technology.


For further information please contact:

Martial Tardy [Corporate Press Officer]
SOLVAY S.A.
Tel: 32 2 509 72 30
E-mail : martial.tardy@solvay.com
Internet: www.solvaypress.com