Solutia Increases Presence in China by Expanding Saflex(R) Manufacturing Plant in Suzhou

SUZHOU, China and ST. LOUIS, April 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Solutia Inc. (NYSE: SOA) today announced that it will expand its manufacturing plant located in Suzhou, China.  The plant is a manufacturing site for the company's world leading Saflex® polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer for laminated glass.  

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The Suzhou plant is a full-scale production facility that currently produces Saflex interlayer for the automotive market.  The new expansion includes the addition of a second manufacturing line within the existing footprint of the plant.  The new line has enhanced capabilities to serve the architectural, photovoltaic and automotive markets in China and the broader Asia Pacific region.  The second production line will significantly increase the annual capacity of the Suzhou plant and is slated to be completed by the end of 2011.

“Solutia is committed to fulfilling the growing needs of our customers in China, and the expansion of our Suzhou plant is essential to that commitment,” said Jeffry N. Quinn, chairman, president and CEO of Solutia Inc.  “While we have made a number of major capital investments in our businesses over the last few years to accelerate our transformation, the Suzhou facility was the first new plant we built from the ground up.  We will continue to devote substantial resources to seizing the growth opportunities in China across each of our businesses.”

Solutia's Saflex product is the most trusted name in PVB interlayer technology for laminated glazing, delivering outstanding performance and durability, backed by reliable and knowledgeable service. As a result, it is found in nearly 40 percent of laminated architectural and automotive glass worldwide.  Saflex interlayers are also used to encapsulate thin film photovoltaic solar cells, providing outstanding processability and durability.

"Global demand for Saflex interlayers continues to rise around the world, especially in China," said Timothy Wessel, president and general manager of Solutia's Saflex business.  "This additional expansion improves our ability to serve the needs of laminators and glass fabricators supplying the rapidly growing Chinese automotive, architectural and photovoltaic industries and the broader Asia-Pacific markets.  We look forward to collaborating with these customers, and believe our continued investment in the Suzhou plant will support significant growth in the laminated glass and solar energy markets."

Saflex recently added a customer service lab to its Suzhou site to better serve customer needs in the region.

"As plant manager, I am proud that Solutia has chosen to continue to invest in the China region," said Christina Leung, plant manager, Suzhou.  "The investment in part is recognition of the efforts of the hard working men and women of the Suzhou plant.  We expect to be able to rapidly expand service to the market and complete the second line expansion in 18 months."

For more information about Saflex visit: http://www.saflex.com

Note to Editor:  Saflex is a registered trademark of Solutia Inc.

About Solutia Inc.

Solutia is a market-leading performance materials and specialty chemicals company. The company focuses on providing solutions for a better life through a range of products, including: Saflex® PVB interlayer for encapsulated solar modules; CPFilms® aftermarket window films sold under the LLumar® brand and others; and technical specialties including the Flexsys® family of chemicals for the rubber industry, Skydrol® aviation hydraulic fluid and Therminol® heat transfer fluid. Solutia's businesses are world leaders in each of their market segments. With its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, the company operates globally with approximately 3,300 employees in more than 50 locations. More information is available at www.Solutia.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of words such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "intends," "plans," "estimates" or "anticipates," or other comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions.  These statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions about the industries in which Solutia operates.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results or achievements to be materially different from the future results or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.  These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those risk and uncertainties described in Solutia's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under "Cautionary Statement About Forward Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors", and Solutia's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.  These reports can be accessed through the "Investors" section of Solutia's website at www.solutia.com.  Solutia disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in response to new information, unforeseen events, changed circumstances or any other occurrence.

SOURCE Solutia Inc.