Rephrases lead, adds Middle East context in paragraph 2, net sales in para 3, CEO comment in para 4, outlook in para 5

May 7 (Reuters) - Belgian chemicals group Solvay SOLB.BR on Thursday said it was passing on higher energy and transport costs to customers in the wake of the Middle East crisis, joining peers in trying to soften the blow the conflict has dealt to the sector.

Solvay said it was is currently assessing how the temporary shut down of a Saudi Arabia-based joint venture that produces peroxides would affect its business in the second quarter, noting the conflict's overall impact was limited.

The comments were made alongside first-quarter results showing core profit fell 12.4% to 219 million euros ($257.37 million), broadly in line with the 220 million euros Vara Research consensus.

Solvay makes less than 5% of its sales in the Middle East but production at its 50-50 Saudi Hydrogen Peroxide joint venture with Sadara Chemical Company, itself a joint venture of Saudi Aramco 2223.SE and Dow DOW.N, has been halted since mid-March.

"This impact on the second quarter is still being assessed and will depend on when the platform activity will resume," the company said.

($1 = 0.8509 euros)