---

Plastic Omnium and Solvay Consider Merging Their Fuel Systems Operations

14 January 2000

Plastic Omnium and Solvay Consider Bringing Together Their Automotive Fuel Systems Operations and Sign an Agreement in Principle

    TROY, Mich., Jan. 13 -- Plastic Omnium and Solvay S.A. have
signed an agreement in principle to combine their Automotive Fuel Systems
operations within a new equally (50-50)-shared company.  This agreement
expresses the common intent of Plastic Omnium and Solvay S.A. to expand their
worldwide positions in the field of fuel systems and to strengthen their
development, especially in Research & Development.
    The two companies are to conclude a partnership agreement by June 2000.
This agreement will first be the subject of required consultations with the
employees' representatives and would come into force after regulatory
authorities (in particular Brussels and Washington) have approved it.
    The complementary nature of the geographical, commercial, industrial and
technological resources of Plastic Omnium and Solvay S.A., as well as their
very similar corporate cultures, should allow the new organization to
accelerate its development and ensure higher technical competence and stronger
innovation capabilities for its customers.
    This new company, with sales of EUR 800 million (FRF 5.5 billion) in 2000
and strong growth expected in the years to come, should be the worldwide
leader in the field of fuel systems.  With around 30 manufacturing facilities
in about 15 countries, it would employ 3,000 people, mainly in Europe and
North America, and also develop substantially in South America, Central Europe
and Asia.
    Solvay is an international chemical and pharmaceutical group headquartered
in Brussels, Belgium.  It employs about 33,000 people in 46 countries.  Its
1998 consolidated sales amounted to EUR 7.5 billion (FRF 49.2 billion)
generated by its four sectors of activity sectors:  Chemicals, Plastics,
Processing and Pharmaceuticals.  Solvay is quoted on the Brussels Stock
Exchange and is part of the BEL 20 index (code: SOL).
    Plastic Omnium, one of the European leaders in plastics processing, is
based at Levallois (Paris, France) and operates in four fields:  Automotive
Equipment (Exterior Equipment, Fuel Systems), Services, High-Performance
Plastic Products and Medical Supplies.  With operations in 19 countries on
four continents, Plastic Omnium employs over 7,000 people.  Its sales in 1999
amounted to more than EUR 1.3 billion (FRF 8.6 billion).  Plastic Omnium is
quoted on the forward market of the Paris Stock Exchange and is part of the
SBF 120 index (SICOVAM code: 12457).