Celanese Corporation Reports Third Quarter 2012 Results

Consumer Specialties

Consumer Specialties delivered improved year-over-year performance reflecting the value-added applications it provides to its global customer base. Net sales increased to $314 million compared with $298 million in the same period last year, primarily driven by 6 percent higher year-over-year pricing on continued strong global demand. Operating EBITDA was $87 million compared with $78 million in the same period last year as operating EBITDA margins expanded on the higher pricing. Operating profit in the quarter increased to $70 million from $66 million last year.

Industrial Specialties

Industrial Specialties' net sales in the third quarter of 2012 were $297 million compared with $332 million in the prior year period. Volumes increased by 2 percent year-over-year, primarily due to increased demand in North America and Asia, partially offset by lower European volumes. However, pricing in the quarter was lower than the prior year period due to weaker demand in its Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) applications and lower raw material costs. Third quarter results were also negatively impacted by the Euro. Operating EBITDA was $36 million compared with $43 million in the prior year period as record results in Emulsions this quarter were more than offset by lower demand for EVA applications. Operating profit in the third quarter of 2012 was $23 million compared with $30 million in the prior year period.

Acetyl Intermediates

Acetyl Intermediates' net sales in the third quarter of 2012 were $785 million compared with $975 million in the same period last year, primarily due to lower pricing and demand across the acetyl chain, as well as negative currency impacts. The lower pricing in the period reflects continued weak economic conditions in Europe and Asia which contributed to softer global demand for acetyl products. Additionally, temporarily elevated industry utilization in the third quarter of 2011 due to planned and unplanned outages of acetyl producers resulted in higher industry pricing in the prior year period. Operating EBITDA in the third quarter of 2012 was $91 million compared with $168 million in the same period last year, primarily due to the lower pricing which was partially offset by lower raw material costs. Operating profit in the current period was $62 million compared with $128 million in the same period last year.

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