ST LOUIS, April 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Note: See reconciliation tables below for adjustments made to U.S. GAAP financial measures and discussion of items affecting results.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081029/AQW096LOGO)

First Quarter 2012: Consolidated Results from Continuing Operations

Solutia Inc. (NYSE: SOA) today reported net sales for the first quarter 2012 of $498 million, down $11 million or 2 percent from the same period in 2011. Reported income from continuing operations attributable to Solutia was $53 million in the first quarter 2012, down $12 million from the same period in 2011. Both periods were impacted by certain events affecting comparability (detailed below), which resulted in a net after-tax charge of $15 million in 2012 and a net after-tax gain of $5 million in 2011. Excluding these items, Adjusted Earnings increased $8 million. Adjusted EBITDA (defined below) in the first quarter of 2012 totaled $126 million, down $9 million from the same period in 2011. Higher average selling prices and lower manufacturing costs were more than offset by lower sales volumes, higher raw materials costs and increased research and development expenditures. Adjusted EPS totaled $.55, up $.05 or 10 percent from the same period in 2011 as lower interest expense and lower income taxes more than offset the decline in Adjusted EBITDA. Interest expense was lower as a result of the debt reduction achieved in 2011, and income taxes were lower primarily due to the reversal of a deferred tax liability related to the extension of the Company's tax holiday in Malaysia.

Segment Data

In order to aid understanding of Solutia's business performance, the results of its business segments are presented on an adjusted basis and reconciled to the comparable GAAP measures in the tables below.

Advanced Interlayers Segment

Advanced Interlayers' first quarter 2012 net sales totaled $203 million, a decrease of $10 million or 5 percent from the same period in 2011. Adjusted EBITDA decreased $9 million to $40 million for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the prior year period. This earnings decrease was primarily due to lower sales volumes and selling prices in the photovoltaic encapsulants operating segment and increased raw material costs, partially offset by higher average selling prices as a result of price increases on annual customer contracts in the Saflex® interlayer business.

Performance Films Segment

Performance Films' first quarter 2012 net sales totaled $85 million, an increase of $9 million or 12 percent from the same period in 2011. The increase in net sales was due to the acquisition of Southwall and to strong window film sales in Asia and North America. Partially offsetting these gains were lower technical film sales into a softer e-reader market in 2012. Adjusted EBITDA decreased $3 million to $16 million for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the prior year period. This earnings decrease was primarily due to increased raw material costs and higher manufacturing costs, partially offset by higher sales volumes within the automotive market.

Technical Specialties Segment

Technical Specialties' first quarter 2012 net sales totaled $210 million, a decrease of $10 million or 5 percent from the same period in 2011. Adjusting for divested other rubber chemicals businesses, sales were down $4 million or 2 percent. Adjusted EBITDA increased $3 million to $84 million for the first quarter of 2012 compared to the prior year period. This increase in earnings was primarily due to a favorable selling price/raw material cost spread and lower manufacturing costs, partially offset by lower sales volumes predominantly in the Europe and China markets, higher research and development expenditures and the loss of earnings resulting from the divestiture of certain other rubber chemicals businesses.

Unallocated and Other

Unallocated and other expenses reduced Adjusted EBITDA by $14 million, and were flat compared to the first quarter of 2011.

Leverage and Liquidity

The Company ended the quarter with net debt (gross debt less cash) of $1.23 billion and liquidity of $387 million. Cash used by continuing operations less capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2012 was $8 million compared to cash generation of $32 million for the same period in 2011. The $40 million year-over-year decrease in cash flow was primarily attributed to higher payments on postretirement obligations and increased growth capital expenditures. The seasonal net working capital build was lower in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to the first quarter of 2011 due to a significant improvement in accounts receivable which more than offset a strategic increase in inventory levels in advance of planned start-ups of the Saflex Suzhou China sheet expansion and the Gent Belgium Saflex acoustic line in the second quarter of 2012. In addition, inventory levels of Therminol in Technical Specialties were higher in preparation for delivery of large concentrating solar projects starting early 2013. Also negatively impacting cash from operating activities in the quarter were payments of $9 million related to the pending merger with Eastman Chemical Company. A cash dividend of $.0375 per share on the Company's common stock was paid on March 15, 2012 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 15.

Outlook

As previously announced, in February 2012, Solutia expects to generate full-year 2012 revenue between $2.125 billion and $2.275 billion and Adjusted EPS in the range of $2.00 to $2.30.

Status of Eastman Chemical Transaction

The completion of the Eastman Chemical transaction remains subject to approval by Solutia's shareholders and receipt of required regulatory approvals as well as other customary closing conditions. The waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) Act expired on March 28, 2012. South Korea cleared the merger on March 23, 2012. On April 16, 2012, the Anti-Monopoly Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China and on April 25, 2012 the Ukrainian authorities granted clearance for this transaction. The parties also received notification from the European Commission that they formally accepted their filing on April 16, 2012, which will start the waiting period. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2012.

First Quarter Conference Call

There will be no conference call for first quarter earnings due to the pending acquisition by Eastman Chemical.

Important Information Regarding Outlook

There is no guarantee that Solutia will achieve its projected financial expectation for 2012 which is based on management estimates, currently available information and assumptions which management believes to be reasonable. Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to significant economic, competitive and other uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of management. See "Forward-Looking Statements" below.


                                      SOLUTIA INC.
                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
                    (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
                                      (Unaudited)

                           Three Months Ended
                               March 31,
                               ---------

                                         2012                       2011
                                         ----                       ----

    Net Sales                                              $498           $509
    Cost of goods
     sold                                                   340            347
                                                            ---            ---
    Gross Profit                                            158            162
    Selling,
     general and
     administrative
     expenses                                                75             62
    Research and
     development
     expenses                                                 8              6
    Other operating
     income, net                                             (1)           (11)
                                                            ---            ---
    Operating
     Income                                                  76            105
    Interest
     expense                                                (23)           (28)
    Other loss, net                                           -             (1)
    Loss on debt
     modification                                             -             (2)
                                                            ---            ---
    Income from
     Continuing
     Operations
     Before Income
     Tax Expense                                             53             74
    Income tax
     expense
     (benefit)                                               (1)             8
                                                            ---            ---
    Net Income                                               54             66
    Net income
     attributable
     to
     noncontrolling
     interest                                                 1              1
                                                            ---            ---
    Net Income
     attributable
     to Solutia                                             $53            $65
                                                            ===            ===

    Basic and
     Diluted Income
     per Share
     attributable
     to Solutia:
    Basic Net
     Income                                               $0.44          $0.54
    Diluted Net
     Income                                               $0.43          $0.54


                                                              SOLUTIA INC.
                                              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
                                             (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
                                                               (Unaudited)
                                                                                                                                                  
                                                         March 31,                        December 31,
                                                               2012                               2011
                                                               ----                               ----
                     ASSETS
                     Current Assets:
                      Cash and cash
                      equivalents                                                   $108                                           $113
                      Trade
                      receivables,
                      net of
                      allowances of
                      $6 in 2012 and
                      2011                                                           221                                            236
                      Miscellaneous
                      receivables                                                     74                                             75
                     Inventories                                                     384                                            335
                      Prepaid expenses
                      and other
                      assets                                                          28                                             27
                      Current assets
                      of discontinued
                      operations                                                       1                                              1
                                                                                                                                         
                      Total Current
                      Assets                                                         816                                            787
                      Net Property,
                      Plant and
                      Equipment                                                      953                                            945
                     Goodwill                                                        789                                            783
                      Net Identified
                      Intangible
                      Assets                                                         916                                            916
                     Other Assets                                                     90                                             95
                                                                                                                                         
                     Total Assets                                                 $3,564                                         $3,526
                     ==========
                                                                                                                                                  
                      LIABILITIES AND
                      EQUITY
                      Current
                      Liabilities:
                     Accounts payable                                               $181                                           $186
                      Accrued
                      liabilities                                                    210                                            227
                      Current
                      liabilities of
                      discontinued
                      operations                                                       5                                              8
                                                                                                                                         
                      Total Current
                      Liabilities                                                    396                                            421
                     Long-Term Debt                                                1,338                                          1,337
                      Postretirement
                      Liabilities                                                    287                                            308
                      Environmental
                      Remediation
                      Liabilities                                                    219                                            227
                      Deferred Tax
                      Liabilities                                                    183                                            190
                      Non-current
                      Liabilities of
                      Discontinued
                      Operations                                                      18                                             18
                      Other
                      Liabilities                                                     96                                             98
                                                                                                                                                  
                      Commitments and
                      Contingencies
                      (Note 8)
                                                                                                                                                  
                     Equity:
                      Common stock at
                      $0.01 par
                      value;
                      (500,000,000
                      shares
                      authorized,
                      124,245,832 and
                      123,316,852 shares issued in 2012
                      and 2011, respectively)                                          1                                              1
                      Additional
                      contributed
                      capital                                                      1,672                                          1,651
                      Treasury shares,
                      at cost
                      (1,511,054 in
                      2012 and
                      1,247,183 in
                      2011)                                                          (20)                                           (13)
                      Accumulated
                      other
                      comprehensive
                      loss                                                          (248)                                          (279)
                      Accumulated
                      deficit                                                       (388)                                          (441)
                                                                                                                                         
                      Total
                      Shareholders'
                      Equity
                      attributable to
                      Solutia                                                      1,017                                            919
                      Equity
                      attributable to
                      noncontrolling
                      interest                                                        10                                              8
                                                                                                                                         
                     Total Equity                                                  1,027                                            927
                                                                                                                                         
                      Total
                      Liabilities and
                      Equity                                                      $3,564                                         $3,526
                     ==========
                                                                                                                                                  
    See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                                        SOLUTIA INC.
                                            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                                   (Dollars in millions)
                                                        (Unaudited)
                                                                               Three Months Ended
                                                                                    March 31,
                                                                                    ---------
                                                                                    2012             2011
                                                                                    ----             ----
                      INCREASE (DECREASE)
                      IN CASH AND CASH
                      EQUIVALENTS
                      OPERATING
                      ACTIVITIES:
                     Net income                                                      $54                          $66
                      Adjustments to
                      reconcile net
                      income to net cash
                      provided by
                      operations:
                      Depreciation and
                      amortization                                                    30                           32
                      Pension
                      contributions
                      in excess of
                      expense                                                        (18)                           -
                      Other
                      postretirement
                      benefit
                      contributions
                      in excess of
                      expense                                                          -                           (4)
                      Amortization of
                      debt issuance
                      costs and
                      discount                                                         1                            1
                      Deferred income
                      taxes                                                           (6)                           6
                      Share-based
                      compensation
                      expense                                                          6                            5
                     Other charges:
                                            Other (gains) charges, including
                                            restructuring expenses                            15                           (3)
                      Changes in assets
                      and liabilities:
                      Income taxes
                      payable                                                          3                           (3)
                      Trade
                      receivables                                                     15                          (37)
                     Inventories                                                     (51)                         (23)
                     Accounts payable                                                  6                           16
                      Environmental
                      remediation
                      liabilities                                                     (8)                          (1)
                      Other assets and
                      liabilities                                                    (28)                          (6)
                                                                                     ---                          ---
                      Cash Provided by
                      Operations -
                      Continuing
                      Operations                                                      19                           49
                      Cash Provided by
                      (Used in)
                      Operations -
                      Discontinued
                      Operations                                                      (3)                           3
                                                                                                                               
                      Cash Provided by
                      Operations                                                      16                           52
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                        
                      INVESTING
                      ACTIVITIES:
                      Property, plant and
                      equipment
                      purchases                                                      (27)                         (17)
                     Restricted cash                                                   -                           (5)
                      Asset disposals and
                      investment sales                                                 -                           29
                     Other                                                             -                            1
                                                                                                                               
                      Cash Provided by
                      (Used in)
                      Investing
                      Activities                                                     (27)                           8
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                        
                      FINANCING
                      ACTIVITIES:
                      Payment of long-
                      term debt
                      obligations                                                      -                          (77)
                      Purchase of
                      treasury shares                                                 (7)                          (2)
                      Stock option
                      exercises                                                       15                            2
                     Other, net                                                       (4)                          (3)
                                                                                                                               
                      Cash Provided by
                      (Used in)
                      Financing
                      Activities                                                       4                          (80)
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                        
                      Effect of Exchange
                      Rate Changes on
                      Cash and Cash
                      Equivalents                                                      2                            2
                                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                        
                      DECREASE IN CASH
                      AND CASH
                      EQUIVALENTS                                                     (5)                         (18)
                      CASH AND CASH
                      EQUIVALENTS:
                     Beginning of period                                             113                          191
                                                                                                                               
                     End of period                                                  $108                         $173
                                                                         ===
                                                                                                                                        
                      SUPPLEMENTAL
                      DISCLOSURE OF CASH
                      FLOW INFORMATION:
                      Cash payments for
                      interest                                                       $21                          $26
                      Cash payments for
                      income taxes, net
                      of refunds                                                      $9                          $14
                      Cash payments
                      related to the
                      pending merger
                      with Eastman
                      Chemical Company                                                $9                $           -
                                                                                                                                        
                      Non-Cash Investing
                      Activities:
                      Capital
                      expenditures
                      included in
                      accounts payable                                                $8                           $7
                                                                                                                                        
    See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The table below is provided to assist the reader with comparability between the three months ended March 31, 2012 and comparable period in 2011 by providing consolidated and segment net sales, Segment Profit (1) and Adjusted EBITDA (2).

     Consolidated and segment Net Sales, Segment Profit(1)and Adjusted EBITDA(2)three months ended March 2012 and 2011
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                                     Three Months Ended March 31,
                                                                                                     ----------------------------
      From Continuing
      Operations (in
      millions)                                                      2012                 Adjust-                             2012 As Adjusted            2011  Adjust-        2011 As Adjusted             % change
                                                                                          ments(3)                                                              ments(3)
                                                                                          -------                                                               -------
     Net Sales
                                     Advanced Interlayers                                                   $203                                          $203           $213                                        $213   -5%
                                     Performance Films                                                        85                                            85             76                                          76   12%
                                     Technical Specialties                                                   210                                           210            220                                         220   -5%
                                     Unallocated and Other                                                     -                                             -              -                                           -  n/m
                                     Total                                                                  $498                                          $498           $509                                        $509   -2%
                                                                                                            ====                                          ====           ====                                        ====  ===

      Segment Profit(1)and Adjusted
      EBITDA(2)
                                     Advanced Interlayers                                                    $40                   $                    -  $40            $49       $                    -            $49  -18%
                                     Performance Films                                                        12                                        4   16             19                            -             19  -16%
                                     Technical Specialties                                                    84                                        -   84             98                          (17)            81    4%
                                     Unallocated and Other                                                   (31)                                      17  (14)           (31)                          17            (14)   0%
                                     Total                                                                  $105                                      $21 $126           $135       $                    -           $135   -7%
                                                                                                            ====                                      === ====           ====       ======================           ====  ===

                                      (1) Segment Profit is defined as income from continuing operations attributable to Solutia before interest expense,
                                      loss on debt modification, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Foreign currency gains/losses are
                                      included in Unallocated and Other.
                                     (2) Adjusted EBITDA is Segment Profit (as defined above), excluding Adjustments (as defined below).
                                      (3) Adjustments include Events Affecting Comparability (see separate table) and non-cash share-based compensation
                                      expense.

Use of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Information and Reconciliation to Comparable GAAP Number

For the purpose of this press release, the company has used certain financial measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per Share that are considered "non-GAAP financial measures." Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per Share are intended to supplement investors' understanding of our operating performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to be performance measures that should be regarded as an alternative to or more meaningful than other GAAP measures and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as income from continuing operations attributable to Solutia before interest expense, loss on debt modification, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, certain gains and losses that affect comparability and non-cash share-based compensation expense. Adjusted Earnings is defined as income from continuing operations attributable to Solutia excluding certain gains and losses, net of tax, that affect comparability. Adjusted Earnings per Share is defined as Adjusted Earnings divided by weighted average diluted shares outstanding. We believe Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per Share assist us in comparing our performance over various reporting periods and against our peers on a consistent basis because it removes from our operating results the impact of items that do not reflect our core operating performance. Further, we believe Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted Earnings per Share are useful to investors. The compensation committee of our board of directors determines the annual incentive compensation for certain members of our management based, in part, using each of these financial measures.

We are unable to reconcile our Adjusted EPS projections to comparable GAAP numbers because of the difficulty in predicting adjustments that would be required such as, but not limited to, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and other items.


      Reconciliation of Net
      Income attributable to
      Solutia to Adjusted
      EBITDA
     ----------------------

                                         Three Months       Three Months
                                             Ended              Ended
                                           March 31,          March 31,
     (in millions)                                    2012               2011
                                                      ----               ----
      Net Income attributable to Solutia               $53                $65

     Plus:
     Income tax expense (benefit)                       (1)                 8
     Interest expense                                   23                 28
      Loss on debt extinguishment or
      modification                                       -                  2
     Depreciation and amortization                      30                 32

      Subtotal                                        $105               $135

     Plus:
     Events affecting comparability (1)                 15                 (5)
      Non-cash share-based compensation
      expense                                            6                  5

      Adjusted EBITDA                                 $126               $135
                                                      ----               ----

      (1)See table of Summary of Events
      Affecting Comparability

      Reconciliation of Income from Continuing
      Operations attributable to Solutia to
      Adjusted Earnings and Calculation of
      Adjusted Earnings Per Share
     ----------------------------------------

                                               Three Months       Three Months
                                                   Ended              Ended
                                                 March 31,          March 31,
      (in millions, except per share
      amounts)                                               2012               2011
                                                             ----               ----
      Income from Continuing Operations
       attributable to Solutia                                $53                $65

      Plus: Events affecting
      comparability, net of tax (1)                            15                 (5)

      Adjusted Earnings                                       $68                $60
                                                              ---                ---

      Weighted average diluted shares
       outstanding                                          122.6              121.2
                                                            -----              -----
      Adjusted Earnings per Share                           $0.55              $0.50
                                                            -----              -----

      (1)See table of Summary of Events
      Affecting Comparability

      Summary of Events Affecting
      Comparability
      ---------------------------

                                               Three Months      Three Months
                                                   Ended             Ended
                                                 March 31,         March 31,
     (in millions)                                          2012              2011
                                                            ----              ----

      Plant closures, divestitures and other
      restructuring:
      Severance and other charges related to
      the relocation of our European
      regional headquarters                  $                 -               $12
      Gain on certain other rubber chemicals
      divestitures                                             -               (17)
     Acquisition- and merger-related costs:
      Inventory step-up related to the
      Southwall acquisition                                    2                 -
      Acquisition-related expenses on the
      Southwall acquisition and the pending
      Eastman merger                                          13                 -
                                                             ---               ---
     Adjusted EBITDA Impact                                  $15               $(5)
      Charges related to the modification of
      our 2017 Term Loan                                       -                 2
                                                             ---               ---
     Pre-tax Income Statement Impact                         $15               $(3)
     Income tax impact                                         -                (2)
                                                             ---               ---
     After-tax Income Statement Impact                       $15               $(5)
                                                             ---               ---

Advanced Interlayers Highlights


              $ Millions Q1 2012       Q1 2011       Y-o-Y Chg
              ---------- -------       -------       ---------
     Net Sales                   $203          $213             (5%)
     ---------                   ----          ----             ---
     Adj. EBITDA (1)              $40           $49            (18%)
     --------------               ---           ---            ----
     Adj. EBITDA margin            20%           23%           (13%)

                                               Qtr Y-o-Y
                                               ---------
    Net Sales change       Volume/Mix                    (5%)
                           ----------                    ---
                           Selling Price                   1%
                           -------------                 ---
                           Currency                      (1%)
                           --------                      ---
                           Acquisitions                  ---
                           ------------                  ---
                           Total                         (5%)

    Adj. EBITDA (1) change Volume/Mix (2)                ($3)
                           --------------                ---
                           Selling Price                  $2
                           -------------                 ---
                           Currency                      ---
                           --------                      ---
                           Raw Material Prices           ($7)
                           -------------------           ---
                           Mfg. Cost                     ($1)
                           ---------                     ---
                           SG&A/Other                    ---
                           ----------                    ---
                           Total                         ($9)

    (1)            Non GAAP measure, see
                   reconciliations
    (2)            Volume/Mix includes impact of
                   acquisitions

Performance Films Highlights


              $ Millions Q1 2012      Q1 2011      Y-o-Y Chg
              ---------- -------      -------      ---------
     Net Sales                   $85          $76              12%
     ---------                   ---          ---             ---
     Adj. EBITDA (1)             $16          $19            (16%)
     --------------              ---          ---            ----
     Adj. EBITDA margin           19%          25%           (24%)

                                               Qtr Y-o-Y
                                               ---------
    Net Sales change       Volume/Mix                      4%
                           ----------                    ---
                           Selling Price                 ---
                           -------------                 ---
                           Currency                      ---
                           --------                      ---
                           Acquisitions                    8%
                           ------------                  ---
                           Total                          12%

    Adj. EBITDA (1) change Volume/Mix (2)                 $3
                           --------------                ---
                           Selling Price                 ---
                           -------------                 ---
                           Currency                      ---
                           --------                      ---
                           Raw Material Prices           ($3)
                           -------------------           ---
                           Mfg. Cost                     ($2)
                           ---------                     ---
                           SG&A/Other                    ($1)
                           ----------                    ---
                           Total                         ($3)

    (1)            Non GAAP measure, see
                   reconciliations
    (2)            Volume/Mix includes impact of
                   acquisitions

Technical Specialties Highlights


              $ Millions Q1 2012       Q1 2011       Y-o-Y Chg
              ---------- -------       -------       ---------
     Net Sales                   $210          $220            (5%)
     ---------                   ----          ----            ---
     Adj. EBITDA (1)              $84           $81              4%
     --------------               ---           ---            ---
     Adj. EBITDA margin            40%           37%             8%

                                               Qtr Y-o-Y
                                               ---------
    Net Sales change       Volume/Mix                     (7%)
                           ----------                     ---
                           Selling Price                    5%
                           -------------                  ---
                           Currency                       ---
                           --------                       ---
                           Divestitures                   (3%)
                           ------------                   ---
                           Total                          (5%)

    Adj. EBITDA (1) change Volume/Mix                     ($8)
                           ----------                     ---
                           Selling Price                  $12
                           -------------                  ---
                           Currency                        $1
                           --------                       ---
                           Raw Material Prices           ($10)
                           -------------------           ----
                           Mfg. Cost                      $10
                           ---------                      ---
                           SG&A/Other                     ($1)
                           ----------                     ---
                           Divestitures                   ($1)
                           ------------                   ---
                           Total                           $3

    (1)            Non GAAP measure, see
                   reconciliations

Notes to Editor: SOLUTIA and the Radiance Logo(TM) and all other trademarks listed below are trademarks of Solutia Inc. and/or its affiliates.

Forward Looking Statements
This communication 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. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the proposed merger; prospective performance and opportunities of Solutia and Eastman and the outlook for their businesses; the development and delivery of new products; the anticipated timing and success in obtaining filings and approvals relating to the merger; the expected timing of the completion of the merger; the ability to complete the merger considering the various closing conditions; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. These statements are based on Solutia's management's current expectations and assumptions, including 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. For example, (1) Solutia may be unable to obtain stockholder approval required for the merger; (2) the companies may be unable to obtain regulatory approvals required for the merger; (3) the conditions to the closing of the merger may not be satisfied or satisfaction of the conditions may delay or prevent the closing of the merger; (4) an unsolicited offer of another company to acquire assets or capital stock of Solutia could interfere with the merger; (5) problems may arise in successfully integrating the businesses of the companies, which may result in the combined company not operating as effectively and efficiently as expected; (6) the combined company may be unable to achieve synergies or other benefits of the merger or it may take longer than expected to achieve those synergies or benefits; (7) the merger may involve unexpected costs, unexpected liabilities or unexpected delays or other adverse effects on the companies; (8) the credit ratings of the combined company or its subsidiaries may be different from what the companies expect; (9) the businesses of the companies may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the merger; (10) the industry may be subject to future regulatory or legislative actions that could adversely affect the companies; and (11) the companies may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Discussions of some of these other important factors and assumptions are described in Solutia's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under "Risk Factors", and Solutia's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and those risks and uncertainties described in Eastman's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including under "Risk Factors", and Eastman's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. These reports can be accessed through the "Investors" section of Solutia's website at www.solutia.com and the "Investor Relations" section of Eastman's website at www.eastman.com, respectively. The Company and Eastman disclaim 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 except as required by law.

Additional Information about the Merger and Where to Find It
Eastman has filed with the SEC an amended registration statement on Form S-4 that includes a proxy statement of Solutia and a prospectus of Eastman, each subject to completion, relating to the merger. Investors and stockholders of Solutia and Eastman are urged to read the final proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC because they will contain important information about the merger. These documents (and all other materials filed by Solutia or Eastman with the SEC) will be available at no charge on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The final proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to stockholders of Solutia when it becomes available. Investors and security holders are urged to read the proxy statement and the other relevant materials when they become available before making any voting or investment decision with respect to the merger because they will contain important information about the merger and the parties to the merger.

Participants in the Merger Solicitation
Solutia, Eastman and certain of their directors, executive officers and certain other employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies of Solutia's stockholders in connection with the merger. Information regarding Eastman's directors and executive officers is available in Eastman's proxy statement filed with the SEC on March 24, 2011 in connection with its 2011 annual meeting of stockholders, and information regarding Solutia's directors and executive officers is available in Solutia's proxy statement filed with the SEC on March 4, 2011 in connection with its 2011 annual meeting of stockholders. Additional information about the interests of potential participants will be included in the final proxy statement and other relevant materials which may be filed with the SEC in connection with the merger when and if they become available.

This communication shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities, no shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

Corporate Profile
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® polyvinyl butyral interlayers for glass lamination and for photovoltaic module encapsulation and VISTASOLAR® ethylene vinyl acetate films for photovoltaic module encapsulation; LLumar®, Vista(TM), EnerLogic®, FormulaOne®, Gila®, V-KOOL®, Huper Optik®, IQue(TM), Sun-X(TM) and Nanolux(TM) aftermarket performance films for automotive and architectural applications; XIR® and Heat Mirror® performance films that are incorporated into aftermarket window films, laminated glass products and suspended insulated glass units for use in automotive and architectural applications. Flexvue(TM) advanced film component solutions for solar and electronic technologies; and technical specialties products including Crystex® insoluble sulfur, Santoflex® PPD antidegradants, Therminol® heat transfer fluids and Skydrol® aviation hydraulic fluids. 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 3,400 employees in more than 50 worldwide locations. More information is available at www.Solutia.com.

SOURCE Solutia Inc.