Second quarter highlights:

• Net sales were $1,517 million, up 22% from prior year period
• Operating profit was $156 million versus $89 million in prior year period
• Net earnings were $160 million versus $109 million in prior year period
• Operating EBITDA was $332 million versus $248 million in prior year period
• Diluted EPS from continuing operations was $1.03 versus $0.70 in prior year period
• Adjusted EPS was $1.12 versus $0.56 in prior year period

Dallas, July 29, 2010: 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.”

To read the entire Q2 2010 Earnings Release, click here.

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.