Third quarter highlights:

Net sales were $1,304 million, down 28% from prior year period

Operating profit was $65 million versus $151 million in prior year period

Net earnings were $399 million versus $158 million in prior year period

Operating EBITDA was $241 million versus $314 million in prior year period

Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $2.53 versus $1.01 in prior year period

Adjusted EPS was $0.58 versus $0.78 in prior year period

                                                                                                   
                                                            Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended 
                                                            September 30,        September 30,     
 (in $ millions, except per share data)                     2009    2008         2009    2008      
 Net sales                                                  1,304   1,823        3,694   5,537     
 Operating profit (loss)                                    65      151          181     592       
 Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation   399     158          483     437       
 Operating EBITDA (1)                                       241     314          620     1,101     
 Diluted EPS - continuing operations                        $2.53   $1.01        $3.08   $3.08     
 Diluted EPS - total                                        $2.53   $0.97        $3.08   $2.63     
 Adjusted EPS (2)                                           $0.58   $0.78        $1.21   $3.05     
 (1) Non-U.S. GAAP measure. See reconciliation in table 1.                                         
 (2) Non-U.S. GAAP measure. See reconciliation in table 6.                                         
                                                                                                   


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Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a leading, global chemical company, today reported third quarter 2009 net sales of $1,304 million, a 28 percent decrease from the same period last year, with the ongoing global recession continuing to impact year-over-year comparisons. The decrease in net sales was primarily driven by lower pricing for Acetyl Intermediates and Industrial Specialties products, resulting from lower raw material costs and decreased volumes on weak global demand. The third quarter 2008 results also included $74 million of net sales associated with the company's polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) business that was divested on July 1, 2009. Operating profit was $65 million compared with $151 million in the prior year period as lower raw material and energy costs, as well as benefits from the company's fixed cost reduction efforts, were more than offset by the lower net sales. Third quarter 2009 results included a net $70 million of other charges and other adjustments, primarily associated with the announced closure of the company's acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) production operations in Pardies, France, which were partially offset by the gain on sale of the PVOH business. Net earnings were $399 million compared with $158 million in the same period last year. The 2009 results included a benefit of approximately $382 million related to a deferred tax benefit associated with the release of certain income tax valuation allowances.

Adjusted earnings per share for the third quarter of 2009, which excluded the other charges and other adjustments and the deferred tax benefit, were $0.58 compared with $0.78 in the same period last year. The effective tax rate and diluted share count used in adjusted earnings per share in the current period were 23 percent and 157.6 million, respectively. The company reduced the effective tax rate for adjusted earnings per share from the second quarter 2009 rate of 29 percent as a result of its manufacturing and administrative restructuring efforts. Operating EBITDA in the period was $241 million compared with $314 million in the prior year period.

"We are very pleased with the strong performance across all of our segments. Our leading global businesses and significant reductions in fixed spending are driving the sustainable earnings performance we expect in this part of an economic cycle," said David Weidman, chairman and chief executive officer. "Our third quarter results reflect stabilization in demand across our major geographies and end-use applications with modest recovery in select areas. Continued strength in Asia and the benefits of government-sponsored programs in the North American automotive and related industries also contributed positively to our results."

Recent Highlights

Successfully started up the previously announced expansion of its acetic acid unit in Nanjing, China. Production is expected to ramp up during the fourth quarter of 2009. With the expansion, the unit's capacity doubles from 600,000 tons to 1.2 million tons annually.

Announced the expansion of its vinyl acetate/ethylene (VAE) manufacturing facility at its Nanjing, China, integrated chemical complex to support continued growth plans throughout Asia. The expanded facility will double the company's VAE capacity in the region and is expected to be operational in the first half of 2011.

Third Quarter Segment Overview

Advanced Engineered Materials

Advanced Engineered Materials delivered improved earnings sequentially and year-over-year as it demonstrated the significant operating leverage of its specialty engineered polymers business model. Net sales in the third quarter were $220 million compared with $272 million in the prior year period as many of its key end markets continued to experience volume pressure. Overall average pricing declined modestly due to product mix changes. The sequential increase in sales, however, was led by improvements in automotive and related industries in North America and Europe, with continued strength in Asia. Operating profit in the period was $21 million compared with $13 million in the prior year period, as lower raw material and energy costs and fixed cost reductions related to the company's restructuring initiatives more than offset lower volumes. Operating EBITDA was $56 million compared with $45 million in the prior year period and $28 million in the second quarter of 2009. Equity earnings from affiliates were $11 million compared with $12 million in the same period last year and benefited from the timing of earnings related to a planned turnaround in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Consumer Specialties

Consumer Specialties continued to deliver improved performance with higher levels of earnings. Net sales in the third quarter were $271 million, $24 million lower than the prior year period, as higher pricing could not offset volume pressure primarily related to inventory destocking in the late-cycle businesses and declining consumer spending trends in customer end markets. Operating profit, however, increased to $52 million from $42 million in the same period last year as higher pricing, lower energy costs and fixed spending reduction efforts more than offset the lower volumes. Operating EBITDA was $68 million compared with $56 million in the prior year period.

Industrial Specialties

Industrial Specialties delivered sustained earnings performance with improved margins as it continued to benefit from growth in Asia. Net sales in the quarter were $236 million compared with $378 million in the same period last year. Last year's results included $74 million of net sales related to the PVOH business which was divested on July 1, 2009. While pricing was lower year-over-year due to lower raw material costs, volumes in its core emulsions and performance polymers businesses were essentially flat when compared with the prior year period's results. Growth in Asia and Europe offset slightly lower volumes in North America. While residential and non-residential construction markets stabilized, North American volumes declined due to the previously announced force majeure in the company's performance polymers business. The production issues that led to the force majeure were resolved during the quarter. Operating profit was $44 million compared with $18 million in the same period last year and included a gain of $34 million related to the sale of the PVOH business. Margins expanded in the core businesses as lower raw material costs and the benefits of the company's fixed spending reduction efforts offset lower pricing in the period. Operating EBITDA, which excluded the gain, decreased by $7 million to $29 million in the period, reflecting sustained earnings in the emulsions and performance polymers businesses and the absence of earnings related to the PVOH divestiture.

Acetyl Intermediates

Acetyl Intermediates' performance demonstrated its leading global presence and advantaged technology as earnings improved sequentially, but lower margins year-over-year continued to pressure the business. Net sales were $666 million compared with $1,056 million in the same period last year, driven by lower pricing for acetic acid and its downstream derivatives. Lower industry utilization and lower raw material and energy costs drove the pricing declines. Volumes were modestly lower, primarily in derivative products, but the company continued to benefit from its advantaged cost position in acetic acid. Operating profit was a loss of $30 million compared with a profit of $100 million in the prior year period. Excluding other charges and other adjustments of $87 million, primarily related to the closure of the company's acetic acid and VAM production operations in Pardies, France, the lower pricing and volumes more than offset lower raw material and energy costs and benefits from the company's fixed spending reduction efforts. Operating EBITDA, which excluded the other charges and other adjustments, was $105 million compared with $182 million in the prior year period and $76 million in the second quarter of 2009. The company's Ibn Sina cost investment contributed $18 million in dividends compared with $34 million in the prior year period.

Taxes

The tax rate for adjusted earnings per share was 29 percent in the first six months of 2009 and 23 percent for the third quarter of 2009, compared with 26 percent in the first nine months of 2008. The U.S. GAAP effective tax rate for continuing operations for the third quarter of 2009 was negative 714 percent compared with negative 8 percent in the third quarter of 2008. The decrease in the effective income tax rate is primarily due to a deferred tax benefit of $382 million for the release of certain valuation allowances against U.S. net deferred tax assets.

The company paid net cash taxes of $21 million in the first nine months of 2009 compared with $85 million of cash taxes paid in the first nine months of 2008. The decrease in cash taxes paid is primarily the result of tax refunds, lower earnings 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 $38 million compared with $54 million in the prior year period. This quarter's results were driven by lower dividends from the company's Ibn Sina cost affiliate due to lower global pricing for methanol and methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). Equity and cost investment dividends, which are included in cash flows, were $21 million compared with $42 million in the same period last year, also driven by the lower dividends from the Ibn Sina cost affiliate.

Cash Flow

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the third quarter of 2009 were $1,293 million compared with $584 million at the end of the third quarter of 2008. During the first nine months of 2009, the company generated $408 million in cash from operating activities compared with $345 million in the first nine months of 2008. In 2009, the company received net cash of $168 million from the sale of the PVOH business and an advance payment of $412 million related to the relocation of Ticona's business in Kelsterbach, Germany. Year to date, the company has spent a total of $256 million of capital expenditures and other expenses related to the Kelsterbach relocation. Capital expenditures, excluding the relocation project, were $130 million for the first nine months of 2009 compared with $212 million in the same period last year. Net debt at the end of the third quarter of 2009 was $2,284 million compared with $3,036 million in the same period last year.

"Our businesses have demonstrated the ability to generate cash throughout this extremely challenging economic downturn and we continued to do so in the third quarter," said Steven Sterin, senior vice president and chief financial officer. "We expect to continue to generate positive free cash flow and add to our strategic cash balances."

Outlook

The company noted that while it expects continued modest recovery of global economies, it also expects its results to reflect normal seasonality in the fourth quarter.

The company also foresees three key areas of earnings growth for 2010. These include:

increased volumes across all of its businesses, based on second half 2009 demand levels continuing into 2010

additional fixed spending reductions of approximately $100 million, principally due to the structural streamlining of the company's manufacturing operations and administrative functions, including the closure of its Pardies, France, facility

an adjusted tax rate in the low 20s percent range

"We expect the considerable progress we have made in executing our strategy to deliver significant earnings improvement," Weidman said. "Absent a pronounced economic recovery in the short term, we expect the benefits from these efforts to result in approximately $1.00 per share of increased earnings in 2010."

As a global leader in the chemicals industry, Celanese Corporation makes products essential to everyday living. Our products, found in consumer and industrial applications, are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia. Net sales totaled $6.8 billion in 2008, with approximately 65% generated outside of North America. Known for operational excellence and execution of its business strategies, Celanese delivers value to customers around the globe with innovations and best-in-class technologies. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company employs approximately 8,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Celanese Corporation, please visit the company's website at 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 forward-looking statements contained in this release. Numerous factors, many of which are beyond the company's control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed as forward-looking statements. Certain of these risk factors are discussed 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 five performance measures, operating EBITDA, affiliate EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, net debt and adjusted free cash flow, as non-U.S. GAAP measures. The most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP in our consolidated financial statements for operating EBITDA is operating profit; for 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 as operating profit from continuing operations, plus equity in net earnings from affiliates, 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. Operating EBITDA is not a recognized term under U.S. GAAP and does not purport to be an alternative to operating profit as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Because not all companies use identical calculations, this presentation of operating EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies. Additionally, operating EBITDA is not intended to be a measure of free cash flow for management's discretionary use, as it does not consider certain cash requirements such as interest payments, tax payments and debt service requirements nor does it represent the amount used in our debt covenants.

Affiliate EBITDA, a measure used by management to measure performance of its equity investments, is defined as the proportional operating profit plus the proportional depreciation and amortization of its equity investments. Affiliate EBITDA, including Celanese Proportional Share of affiliate information on Table 8, is not a recognized term under U.S. GAAP and is not meant to be an alternative to operating cash flow of the 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 affiliate EBITDA when determining the equity investments' overall value in the company.

Adjusted earnings per share is a measure used by management to measure performance. It is defined 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 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. This non-U.S. GAAP information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for U.S. GAAP financial information.

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.