Frost & Sullivan European Digestive Health Ingredients Promising Ingredient of the Year Award Presented to Solvay for SOLACTIS(TM)

LONDON -

The 2009 Frost & Sullivan European Digestive Health Ingredients Promising Ingredient of the Year Award is presented to Solvay S.A. (Solvay) for SOLACTIS(TM), an innovative prebiotic ingredient in the European digestive health ingredients market. The improved performance of SOLACTIS(TM) offers significant added value for new yoghurts, biscuits, beverages and similar products.

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“Positioned as a digestive health ingredient, SOLACTIS(TM) is the result of extensive and dedicated research conducted by Solvay,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Sridhar Gajendran. “The company has successfully yielded verified reports on a range of health benefits offered by SOLACTIS(TM) and continues to conduct extensive research on expanding its beneficial health applications.”

SOLACTIS(TM) is a nutritional ingredient based on GalactoFructose (GoF), a disaccharide which enables food processing industries to develop new products combining tasty recipes and health benefits such as intestinal health, mineral balance and management of metabolic syndrome. GalactoFructose SOLACTIS(TM) helps the development of intestinal flora and contributes to better transit. This particular claim has been validated by Belgian Authorities and is currently on study by the European Authorities. The product, moreover, increases stool weight and frequency.

“SOLACTIS(TM)’s success lies in its compatibility with a wide range of food applications,” remarks Gajendran. “It is one of the most viable digestive health ingredients which can be used in an extensive range of functional foods applications such as biscuits and rusks, food supplements, beverages, fruit preparation, infant nutrition, and yoghurts & milk fermented products. The animal feed industry is also another new field of exploration for this product.”

SOLACTIS(TM) offers several competitive advantages. It is the first prebiotic ingredient used in infant SOLACTIS(TM) formulas. The main advantage of SOLACTIS(TM) is that the product is sourced from milk due to which it is suitable for use in infant formulas. It has been well received by infant formula manufacturers.

The product requires only a low recommended daily dose (RDD) to achieve a prebiotic effect. For instance, only 0.65 grams of GalactoFructose are required for prebiotic effect, whereas other prebiotics require consumption of around 5 grams per day.

Moreover, SOLACTIS(TM) is the most economical prebiotic ingredient available in the European market. The price of Solactis powder is relatively high compared to Inulin and FOS. However, the efficient dosage of SOLACTIS(TM) increases the economy of the product.

“As a result of rigorous research and marketing efforts, SOLACTIS(TM) has been established as a clinically proven and highly effective prebiotic ingredient with impressive consumer appeal and a receptive global market,” concludes Gajendran. “SOLACTIS(TM) is characterised by distinct advantages over similar prebiotics and is fast gaining the status of the gold standard in the digestive health ingredients market.”

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Promising Ingredient of the Year is presented to the company that has demonstrated excellence in new ingredient development and launch within its industry. The recipient company has shown innovation by launching a broad line of emerging products and technologies.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About Solactis(R)

Solactis(R) is an innovative nutritional ingredient active on digestive health and improving intestinal comfort. Solactis(R) is included in food products in Asia and in Europe. Its health claims on regular transit combined with prebiotic effect have been approved by the Service Public Federal Belge in 2006. Details are available at www.solactis.com - Contact: Solactis@solvay.com

About Solvay

SOLVAY is an international chemical and pharmaceutical Group with headquarters in Brussels. It employs more than 29,000 people in 50 countries. In 2008, its consolidated sales amounted to EUR 9.5 billion, generated by its three sectors of activity: Chemicals, Plastics and Pharmaceuticals. Solvay is listed on the NYSE Euronext stock exchange in Brussels (NYSE Euronext: SOLB.BE - Bloomberg: SOLB.BB - Reuters: SOLBt.BR). Details are available at www.solvay.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate growth and achieve best in class positions in growth, innovation and leadership. The company’s Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO’s Growth Team with disciplined research and best practice models to drive the generation, evaluation, and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan leverages over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 35 offices on six continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit www.frost.com.

Contact:

Catherine Brassell Best Practices, Frost & Sullivan P: +44-207-915-7867 catherine.brassell@frost.com

Source: Frost & Sullivan

Catherine Brassell of Best Practices, Frost & Sullivan,: +44-207-915-7867, catherine.brassell at frost.com