Celanese is a global chemicals company focusing mainly on basic, intermediate and specialty chemicals, emulsions, acetate products, technical polymers and food ingredients. The Celanese portfolio consists of four main businesses: Acetyl Intermediates, Advanced Engineered Materials, Consumer Specialties and Industrial Specialties.
Celanese generated sales of around $6.8bn in 2008 and has about 8,350 employees. The company has numerous production plants and research centers in North America, Europe and Asia.
History
In July 1999, Hoechst (parent company) agreed to spin off Celanese into an independent company. By October 1999, Celanese became a publicly traded German stock corporation listed on the New York and Frankfurt stock exchanges.
However, on 16 December 2003, the US private equity firm Blackstone Capital Partners announced a takeover offer for Celanese. Shareholders formally approved the offer from Blackstone on 16 June 2004.
Company movements
In July 2009, Celanese completed the sale of its polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) business to Sekisui Chemical.
The deal was first announced on 29 April 2009.
In June 2009, Celanese renamed its AT Plastics ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer and low density polyethylene (LDPE) resin business. The business will be named Celanese EVA Performance Polymers. For more on this story please see Celanese renames Canada EVA polymer business or go to ICIS news.
Acetyl Intermediates
Acetyl Intermediates is Celanese’s largest segment, with a product range consisting of basic chemicals such as acetic acid and vinyl acetate. Industrial Specialties manufactures performance chemicals such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVC) and emulsions, and specialty chemicals. Customers of acetyl intermediates and industrial specialties are in the chemical, paint and coatings, construction, and adhesive industries.
Advanced Engineered Materials
Advanced Engineered Materials (AEM) offers value-adding products and services for customers in the automotive, electronics, telecommunications and medical industries.
Ticona is pursuing new applications, expanding capacities and technological development. Together with its alliance partners, Ticona expands its market presence in Asia. At the same time, Celanese say that measures to increase productivity and reduce cost are being implemented.
Consumer Specialties
Celanese claim to be one of the world's largest producers of acetate tow. Acetate products are primarily used in cigarette filters, as well as in the production of fashion apparel and linings. The Acetate products business is building and expanding existing partnerships in China, maintaining cost leadership and optimising its acetate production base.
The food ingredients business Nutrinova produces the high intensity sweetener Sunett (acesulfame K), the preservatives Nutrinova sorbates, and health-promoting food ingredients.
Nutrinova continues to strengthen its business with volume growth for Sunett and implementing measures to increase productivity in its preservatives business.
Celanese
Strategy & Financial Highlights
Celanese has taken major strategic measures to enhance the value of its businesses, invest in new production capacity in growth areas, reduce costs and increase productivity. (Edited from: Management Report - Annual Report). ICIS also provides you with key financial data listed in table form.
More about Celanese Strategy & Financial Highlights
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