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EPC GROUPE : EPC Groupe and Société Suisse des Explosifs enter into exclusive negotiations with a view to combining their civil explosives and drilling and blasting activities: EPC Groupe (Euronext - EXPL) and SSE Holding SA ("SSE Group"), one of the leading manufacturers of civil explosives in Europe, announce that they have entered into exclusive discussions with a view to combining their civil explosives and drilling & blasting activities. The transaction would take the form of (i) a contribution by SSE of all its civil explosives and drilling & blasting activities to EPC SA, in exchange for 725,000 new ordinary shares of EPC Groupe issued as part of a capital increase, and (ii) the sale by SSE of 75,000 EPC Groupe shares to 4 Décembre SAS (or one of its affiliates). The combination of the two companies would strengthen EPC Groupe's global position while enabling it to become the leader in the European market. Following completion of the transaction, SSE Group would hold nearly 25% of EPC Groupe's share capital, becoming the Group's second-largest shareholder, and would be represented on its Board of Directors. The transaction remains subject to customary due diligence, the information and consultation process with EPC Groupe's employee representative bodies, applicable regulatory approvals, and approval by the general meetings of EPC and SSE. The parties expect to finalize the transaction during Q3 2026. SSE: A MAJOR PAN-EUROPEAN PLAYER IN CIVIL EXPLOSIVES Established more than 125 years ago, SSE Group is a leading European player in civil explosives and drilling & blasting. SSE generates approximately CHF 135 million in revenue (around €151 million) in Central Europe. In Switzerland, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Romania - countries where EPC Groupe is not currently present - the company holds a leading position (ranked 1st or 2nd depending on the market). SSE is also active in Sweden. The geographic footprints of the two groups are therefore highly complementary. Like EPC Groupe, SSE has developed, in addition to a high-quality product range, a strong service-based approach in drilling & blasting, which accounts for more than 40% of revenue within the contributed business perimeter. OBJECTIVE: JOIN THE TOP 5 GLOBAL PLAYERS IN CIVIL EXPLOSIVES This proposed combination reflects a partnership-driven approach between two leading companies, their employees, management teams, and shareholders. Through this transaction, the combined entity would become the leader in the European civil explosives market. Both companies intend to pursue sustained development in the coming years, combining organic growth and acquisitions, with the ambition of joining the Top 5 global civil explosives players. KEY TERMS OF THE PROPOSED COMBINATION To date, SSE's civil explosives activities are grouped within a structure wholly owned by SSE Holding SA…