Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE):

Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a leading global technology and specialty materials company, today reported second quarter 2010 net sales of $1,517 million, a 22 percent increase from the same period last year. The increase was primarily driven by significantly higher volumes across its business lines as the global economic recovery continued in the period. Net sales in the quarter also benefited from higher pricing in the company's Acetyl Intermediates and Industrial Specialties businesses. Operating profit was $156 million compared with $89 million in the prior year period as operating margins expanded versus the prior year. Net earnings were $160 million compared with $109 million in the same period last year. Equity in net earnings and dividend income from the company's strategic affiliates were $117 million, a $29 million increase versus the prior year period.

Adjusted earnings per share in the second quarter of 2010 were $1.12 compared with $0.56 in the same period last year. Adjusted earnings per share in the period are based on an effective tax rate of 20 percent and a diluted share count of 158.4 million. Operating EBITDA in the second quarter of 2010 was $332 million compared with $248 million in the prior year period. Adjusted earnings per share and operating EBITDA excluded a $3 million net benefit of other charges and other adjustments.

?Celanese's strong performance in the quarter further demonstrated the earnings power of our technology and specialty materials businesses,? said David Weidman, chairman and chief executive officer. ?Product demand across all regions and industries remained strong and reflected an ongoing, modest global economic recovery. The significant benefits of our fixed spending reduction efforts are clearly evident in the sustainable improvements in our operating performance.?

Recent Highlights

• Concluded the formal consultation process with employees and their representatives and is continuing to consider a plan to close its acetate flake and tow manufacturing operations in Spondon, Derby, United Kingdom, in the latter part of 2011.
• Acquired two product lines, Zenite® liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and Thermx® polycyclohexylene-dimethylene terephthalate (PCT), from DuPont Performance Polymers.
• Announced five-year Environmental Health and Safety sustainability goals for occupational safety performance, energy intensity, greenhouse gases and waste management for the year 2015.
• Received American Chemistry Council's (ACC) 2010 Responsible Care Initiative of the Year Award. This award recognizes companies that demonstrate leadership in the areas of employee health and safety, security or environmental protection in the chemical industry.

Second Quarter Segment Overview

Presentation of Ibn Sina Results

In April 2010, the company significantly expanded its existing relationship with its Ibn Sina affiliate in Saudi Arabia, including plans to construct a 50,000 ton polyacetal (POM) production facility in the Middle East and an increased indirect economic interest in the venture. Beginning in the second quarter of 2010, results from the company's Ibn Sina investment are reported in the Advanced Engineered Materials segment using the equity method of accounting. These results were previously reported in the Acetyl Intermediates segment using the cost method of accounting. All financial results presented reflect this adjustment.

Advanced Engineered Materials

Advanced Engineered Materials delivered strong financial performance as it continued to demonstrate the significant operating leverage of its specialty engineered polymers business model. Net sales for the second quarter of 2010 were $282 million compared with $184 million in the prior year period. The increase was driven by significantly higher volumes as demand across its end-use industries continued to improve with the global economic recovery and continued success in the innovation and commercialization of new products and applications. Second quarter 2010 net sales also benefited from sales related to the Future Advanced Composites Technology (FACT) long-fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFT) business acquired in December 2009. Operating profit increased to $40 million compared with $1 million in the same period last year, driven by the higher volumes and increased value-in-use pricing for its high performance polymers. Operating EBITDA was $98 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared with $36 million in the prior year period.

Equity earnings from the Ibn Sina affiliate, which are now included in the segment's operating EBITDA, were $24 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared with $8 million in the prior year period. Ibn Sina's improved performance was attributed to increased pricing for methanol and methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), as global demand significantly increased from the same period last year. Total equity earnings from the company's Asian affiliates were $15 million, an increase of $11 million versus last year, reflecting increased global demand for the specialty engineered polymers. Overall earnings contributions from equity affiliates for the segment totaled $39 million in the current period compared with $12 million in the prior year period.

Consumer Specialties

Consumer Specialties continued to deliver stable earnings performance and realize the value of its strategic ventures in China. Net sales for the second quarter were $291 million compared with $280 million in the same period last year. The increase was driven by higher volumes, primarily associated with volume recovery from the electrical disruption and subsequent production outage at the company's acetate manufacturing facility in Narrows, Virginia, that occurred during the first quarter of 2010. Operating profit was $64 million compared with $66 million in the prior year period, as the higher volumes were unable to completely offset increased raw material and energy prices. Operating EBITDA was $149 million compared with $134 million in the same period last year, as dividends from the company's acetate China ventures increased to $71 million, $18 million higher than the prior year period, reflecting improved performance in the region.

Industrial Specialties

Industrial Specialties delivered sustained results as its businesses continued to experience improved global demand. Net sales for the second quarter were $269 million compared with $267 million in the prior year period. The second quarter 2009 results included $48 million of sales associated with the polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) business that the company divested in July 2009. Volumes improved across all of its businesses in North America and Europe as demand recovered. Vinyl acetate/ethylene emulsion production volumes at its Nanjing, China, facility remained at full utilization on strong demand in the Asia Pacific region. As previously announced, the company plans to expand its production capacity in 2011 to support its continued success in new product development and application innovation. Operating profit was $16 million compared with $19 million in the same period last year, or compared with $6 million when excluding the second quarter 2009 results of the divested PVOH business, as the improved volume and pricing more than offset raw material price increases. Operating EBITDA in the second quarter of 2010 was $26 million compared with $35 million in the prior year period. The second quarter 2009 results included $14 million of operating EBITDA related to the divested PVOH business.

Acetyl Intermediates

Acetyl Intermediates delivered improved results, reflecting its leading acetyl technology position. Net sales were $782 million compared with $622 million in the same period last year, as improved global demand drove increased volumes and sustained operating margins throughout the acetyl chain. Pricing improved across all major acetyl derivative products on stronger global demand and higher raw material costs compared with the prior year. Industry utilization rates for acetic acid remained in the 80 percent range, while the company continued to operate its units at significantly higher rates. Operating profit improved to $68 million from $39 million in the same period last year, reflecting improved margins as well as lower manufacturing costs resulting from the closure of the company's less advantaged acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) production operations in Pardies, France. Operating EBITDA was $96 million compared with $73 million in the prior year period.

Taxes

The tax rate for adjusted earnings per share was 20 percent in the first six months of 2010 compared with 29 percent in the first six months of 2009. The effective tax rate for continuing operations for the second quarter of 2010 was 27 percent versus 13 percent in the second quarter of 2009. The increase in the effective rate is primarily due to foreign losses not resulting in tax benefits in the current period. Cash taxes paid were $65 million in the first six months of 2010 compared with a net cash tax refund of less than $1 million in the first six months of 2009. The increase in cash taxes paid is primarily the result of a German tax refund in 2009 and the timing of cash taxes in certain jurisdictions.

Equity and Cost Investments

Earnings from equity investments and dividends from cost investments, which are reflected in the company's adjusted earnings and operating EBITDA, were $117 million compared with $88 million in the same period last year. Equity and cost investment dividends, which are included in cash flows, were $107 million compared with $67 million in the same period last year. Dividends from the company's acetate China ventures were $71 million in the second quarter of 2010, an $18 million increase from the prior year's results.

The Ticona strategic affiliates in Asia reported earnings in equity investments of $15 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared with $4 million in the prior year period. Proportional affiliate EBITDA for the Asian affiliates was $38 million in the same period, a $25 million increase from second quarter 2009 results, as volumes increased significantly with improved global demand across the affiliates' end-use applications.

Equity in net earnings for Ticona's Middle Eastern affiliates, which includes the company's Ibn Sina affiliate, were $24 million in the second quarter of 2010 compared with $8 million in the prior year period. Proportional affiliate EBITDA for the Middle Eastern affiliates was $32 million compared with $11 million in the prior year, due to increased profitability of its methanol and MTBE products associated with higher pricing on stronger global demand.

The company's total proportional affiliate EBITDA was $86 million in the second quarter of 2010, $41 million more than reported in the company's operating EBITDA. The company's total proportional net debt of affiliates was approximately $87 million as of June 30, 2010.

Cash Flow

The company continued to generate positive cash flow, reflecting its specialty materials business model and sustained improvements in its cost structure. During the first six months of 2010, the company generated $219 million in cash from operating activities compared with $299 million in the prior year period. The increased earnings were offset by higher trade working capital and higher cash taxes, as well as cash outflows to fund previously announced and implemented productivity projects.

During the first six months of 2010, net cash used in investing activities was $275 million, compared with a cash inflow of $183 million in the same period last year. The 2010 results include $151 million of capital expenditures related to the relocation of Ticona's business in Kelsterbach, Germany, and a cash outflow of $46 million related to the company's acquisition of the Zenite® LCP and Thermx® PCT product lines from DuPont Performance Polymers. The 2009 results include $412 million of cash received and $147 million of capital expenditures related to the Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation.

Net cash used in financing activities was $78 million compared with $59 million in the prior year. Second quarter 2010 results include a cash outflow of $20 million associated with the company's share repurchase program.

Net debt at the end of the second quarter of 2010 was $2,346 million, a $6 million decrease from the end of the first quarter of 2010.

Outlook

Based on its strong performance during the first half of 2010 and expectations for a continued, modest economic recovery, the company raised its outlook for the full year. It now expects full year 2010 adjusted earnings per share to be at least $1.40 higher than its full year 2009 performance and its 2010 operating EBITDA to be at least $260 million higher than the previous year. The company had previously expected 2010 adjusted earnings per share and operating EBITDA to be at least $1.25 and $250 million higher than 2009, respectively.

?Based on our current customer order activity, we now expect 2010 results to be better than our previous outlook,? said Weidman. ?While we remain cautious for the remainder of the year, based more on macroeconomic indicators than company-specific trends, the strength of our current business environment is expected to mitigate much of the seasonality we typically experience in the second half of the year.?

Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of specialty materials and chemical products which are used in most major industries and consumer applications. Our products, essential to everyday living, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Known for operational excellence, sustainability and premier safety performance, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 7,400 employees worldwide and had 2009 net sales of $5.1 billion, with approximately 73% generated outside of North America. For more information about Celanese Corporation and its global product offerings, visit www.celanese.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain ?forward-looking statements,? which include information concerning the company's plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs and other information that is not historical information. When used in this release, the words ?outlook,? ?forecast,? ?estimates,? ?expects,? ?anticipates,? ?projects,? ?plans,? ?intends,? ?believes,? and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and beliefs and various assumptions. There can be no assurance that the company will realize these expectations or that these beliefs will prove correct.

There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements contained in this release. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: changes in general economic, business, political and regulatory conditions in the countries or regions in which we operate; the length and depth of business cycles, particularly in the automotive, electrical, electronics and construction industries; changes in the price and availability of raw materials; the ability to pass increases in raw material prices on to customers or otherwise improve margins through price increases; the ability to maintain plant utilization rates and to implement planned capacity additions and expansions; the ability to improve productivity by implementing technological improvements to existing plants; increased price competition and the introduction of competing products by other companies; changes in the degree of intellectual property and other legal protection afforded to our products; compliance costs and potential disruption of production due to accidents or other unforeseen events or delays in construction of facilities; potential liability for remedial actions and increased costs under existing or future environmental regulations, including those relates to climate change; potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation, or from changes in the laws, regulations or policies of governments or other governmental activities in the countries in which we operate; changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates; and various other factors discussed from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and the company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which it is made or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances.

Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Measures to U.S. GAAP

This release reflects the following performance measures: operating EBITDA, business operating EBITDA, proportional affiliate EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, net debt and adjusted free cash flow, as non-U.S. GAAP measures. These measurements are not recognized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to U.S. GAAP measures of performance. The most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP in our consolidated financial statements for operating EBITDA and business operating EBITDA is operating profit; for proportional affiliate EBITDA is equity in net earnings of affiliates; for adjusted earnings per share is earnings per common share-diluted; for net debt is total debt; and for adjusted free cash flow is cash flow from operations.

Use of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Information

• Operating EBITDA, a measure used by management to measure performance, is defined by the company as operating profit from continuing operations, plus equity in net earnings from affiliates, cost dividend income, other income and depreciation and amortization, and further adjusted for other charges and adjustments. We may provide guidance on operating EBITDA and are unable to reconcile forecasted operating EBITDA to a U.S. GAAP financial measure because a forecast of Other Charges and Adjustments is not practical. Our management believes operating EBITDA is useful to investors because it is one of the primary measures our management uses for its planning and budgeting processes and to monitor and evaluate financial and operating results.
• Business operating EBITDA, a measure used by management to measure performance of its internal operations, is defined by the company as operating profit from continuing operations, plus depreciation and amortization, and further adjusted for other charges and adjustments. This reflects the operating results of the company's operations without regard to its equity and cost investments. The company believes that investors should consider business operating EBITDA when evaluating the company's internal operations.
• Proportional affiliate EBITDA, a measure used by management to measure performance of its equity investments, is defined by the company as the proportional operating profit plus the proportional depreciation and amortization of its equity investments. The company has determined that it does not have sufficient ownership for operating control of these investments to consider their results on a consolidated basis. The company believes that investors should consider proportional affiliate EBITDA as an additional measure of operating results.

• Adjusted earnings per share is a measure used by management to measure performance. It is defined by the company as net earnings (loss) available to common shareholders plus preferred dividends, adjusted for other charges and adjustments, and divided by the number of basic common shares, diluted preferred shares, and options valued using the treasury method. We may provide guidance on an adjusted earnings per share basis and are unable to reconcile forecasted adjusted earnings per share to a U.S. GAAP financial measure without unreasonable effort because a forecast of Other Items is not practical. We believe that the presentation of this non-U.S. GAAP measure provides useful information to management and investors regarding various financial and business trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations, and that when U.S. GAAP information is viewed in conjunction with non-U.S. GAAP information, investors are provided with a more meaningful understanding of our ongoing operating performance. Note: The tax rate used for adjusted earnings per share approximates the midpoint in a range of forecasted tax rates for the year, excluding changes in uncertain tax positions, discrete items and other material items adjusted out of our U.S. GAAP earnings for adjusted earnings per share purposes, and changes in management's assessments regarding the ability to realize deferred tax assets. We analyze this rate quarterly and adjust if there is a material change in the range of forecasted tax rates; an updated forecast would not necessarily result in a change to our tax rate used for adjusted earnings per share. The adjusted tax rate is an estimate and may differ significantly from the tax rate used for U.S. GAAP reporting in any given reporting period. It is not practical to reconcile our prospective adjusted tax rate to the actual U.S. GAAP tax rate in any future period.
• Net debt is defined by the company as total debt less cash and cash equivalents. We believe that the presentation of this non-U.S. GAAP measure provides useful information to management and investors regarding changes to the company's capital structure. Our management and credit analysts use net debt to evaluate the company's capital structure and assess credit quality. Proportional net debt is defined as our proportionate share of our affiliates' net debt.
• Adjusted free cash flow is defined by the company as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures, other productive asset purchases, operating cash from discontinued operations and certain other charges and adjustments. We believe that the presentation of this non-U.S. GAAP measure provides useful information to management and investors regarding changes to the company's cash flow. Our management and credit analysts use adjusted free cash flow to evaluate the company's liquidity and assess credit quality.

Results Unaudited

The results presented in this release, together with the adjustments made to present the results on a comparable basis, have not been audited and are based on internal financial data furnished to management. Quarterly results should not be taken as an indication of the results of operations to be reported for any subsequent period or for the full fiscal year.

Preliminary Consolidated Statements of Operations - Unaudited
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,
(in $ millions, except per share data)		2010				2009				2010				2009
						As adjusted								As adjusted
Net sales			1,517				1,244				2,905				2,390
Cost of sales			(1,214	)			(996	)			(2,384	)			(1,942	)
Gross profit			303				248				521				448
Selling, general and administrative expenses			(123	)			(114	)			(246	)			(228	)
Amortization of Intangible assets			(15	)			(21	)			(30	)			(38	)
Research and development expenses			(18	)			(18	)			(37	)			(38	)
Other (charges) gains, net			(6	)			(6	)			(83	)			(27	)
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net			-				1				2				3
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net			15				(1	)			15				(4	)
Operating profit (loss)			156				89				142				116
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates			45				35				94				41
Interest expense			(49	)			(54	)			(98	)			(105	)
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