Celanese Corporation operates as a global chemical and specialty materials company.
The company is a global producer of high-performance engineered polymers that are used in a variety of high-value applications, as well as one of the world's largest producers of acetyl products, which are intermediate chemicals for nearly all major industries. As a recognized innovator in the chemicals industry, the company’s engineer and manufacture a wide variety of products essential to everyday living. The...
Celanese Corporation operates as a global chemical and specialty materials company.
The company is a global producer of high-performance engineered polymers that are used in a variety of high-value applications, as well as one of the world's largest producers of acetyl products, which are intermediate chemicals for nearly all major industries. As a recognized innovator in the chemicals industry, the company’s engineer and manufacture a wide variety of products essential to everyday living. The company’s broad product portfolio serves a diverse set of end-use applications, including automotive, chemical additives, construction, consumer and industrial adhesives, medical, consumer electronics, energy storage, filtration, paints and coatings, paper and packaging, industrial applications and textiles.
The company’s large and diverse global customer base primarily consists of major companies across a broad array of industries. The company holds geographically balanced global positions and participates in diversified end-use applications. The company combines a demonstrated track record of execution, strong performance built on differentiated business models and a clear focus on growth and value creation. Known for operational excellence, reliability and execution of its business strategies, the company partners with its customers around the globe to deliver best-in-class technologies and solutions.
Segments
The company operates through two business segments: Engineered Materials and Acetyl Chain.
Engineered Materials segment
The company’s Engineered Materials segment includes its engineered materials business and certain strategic affiliates. The engineered materials business leverages its leading project pipeline model to more rapidly commercialize projects. The company’s unique approach is based on deep customer engagement to develop new projects that are aligned with its skill domains to address critical customer needs and ensure the company’s success and growth.
Engineered Materials is a project-based business where growth is driven by increasing new project commercialization from the pipeline. The company’s project pipeline model leverages competitive advantages that include its global assets and resources, marketplace presence, broad materials portfolio and differentiated capabilities. The company’s global assets and resources are represented by its operations, including polymerization, compounding, research and development, and customer technology centers in all regions of the world, including Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the U.S., along with sites associated with its 17 strategic affiliates in China, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the U.S.
The company’s broad marketplace presence reflects its deep understanding of global and customer trends, including the growing global demand for more sophisticated vehicles, evolving environmental considerations, increased global connectivity, and improved health and wellness. These global trends drive a range of needed customer solutions, such as vehicle lightweighting, precise components, aesthetics and appearance, low emissions, heat resistance and low friction for medical applications, that it is uniquely positioned to address with the company’s materials portfolio.
The company’s materials portfolio offers differentiated chemical and physical properties that enable them to perform in a variety of conditions. These include enduring a wide range of temperatures, resisting adverse chemical interactions and withstanding deformation. Nylon compounds are used in a range of applications, including automotive, consumer, electrical, electronic and industrial. These value-added applications in diverse end uses support the business' global growth objectives. Polyoxymethylene (POM), Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and Long-fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFRT) are used in a broad range of performance-demanding applications, including fuel system components, automotive safety systems, consumer electronics, appliances, industrial products and medical applications. UHMW-PE is used in battery separators, industrial products, filtration equipment, coatings and medical applications. Primary end uses for LCP are electrical applications or products and consumer electronics. Thermoplastic elastomers offer unique attributes for use in automotive, appliances, consumer goods, electrical, electronic and industrial applications.
The company also has several differentiated polymer technologies designed for the utility industry, the oil and gas industry, original equipment manufacturers and companies that enhance supply chain efficiency. These include composite technologies for the utility industry that deliver greater reliability, capacity and performance for utility transmission lines.
The company’s differentiated capabilities are highlighted in its intimate and unique customer engagement which allows the company to work across the entirety of its customers' value chain. For example, in the automotive industry the company works with original equipment manufacturers, as well as system and tier suppliers and injection molders in numerous areas, including polymer formulation and functionality, part and structural design, mold design, color development, part testing and part processing. This broad access allows the company to create a demand pull for its solutions. This business segment also includes 17 strategic affiliates that complement the company’s global reach, improve its ability to capture growth opportunities in emerging economies.
In November 2022, the company acquired a majority of the Mobility & Materials business (the ‘M&M Business’) of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (‘DuPont’) pursuant to a definitive transaction agreement entered into in February 2022 by the company, DuPont and an affiliate of DuPont (the ‘M&M Acquisition’). The M&M Acquisition was completed. The M&M Business is a global producer of engineering thermoplastics and elastomers serving a variety of end-uses including automotive, electrical and electronics, consumer goods and industrial applications. The acquired M&M Business product portfolio includes numerous specialty materials with global leadership positions in nylons, specialty nylons polyesters and elastomers.
In September 2023, the company formed a food ingredients joint venture with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (‘Mitsui’) under the name Nutrinova. Mitsui acquired the remaining 70% interest in the food ingredients business.
Key Products
Nylon
The company’s nylon products include Celanyl (PA 6, PA 6.6), FRIANYL (flame retardant PA 6, PA 66, PPA compounds), ECOMID (recycled polyamide), Zytel (PA, PA 6, PA 66, PA 610, PA 612), Zytel HTN (PPA) and Zytel LCPA and are used in automotive, appliances, electrical, medical, industrial and consumer applications due to their mechanical properties, dimensional stability, high impact resistance, resistance to organic solvents, high wear and fatigue resistance even at high temperatures, and easy processing and molding.
Polyoxymethylene (POM)
Commonly known as polyacetal in the chemical industry, POM is sold by the company’s engineered materials business under the trademarks Celcon and Hostaform. POM is used for diverse end-use applications in the automotive, industrial, consumer and medical industries. These applications include mechanical parts in automotive fuel system components and window lift systems, water handling, conveyor belts, sprinkler systems, drug delivery systems and gears in large and small home appliances.
The company continues to innovate and broaden the portfolio of Celcon and Hostaform to support the industry needs for higher performing polyacetal. The company has expanded its portfolio to include products with higher impact resistance and stiffness, low emissions, improved wear resistance and enhanced appearance such as laser marking and metallic effects. The company’s sustainable polyacetal, POM ECO-B, allows customers to realize reduction in carbon dioxide emissions in their end-use products and advance toward their renewable content goals.
Korea Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd., the company’s 50%-owned strategic affiliate, manufactures POM and other engineering resins in the Asia-Pacific region.
National Methanol Company, the company’s 25% owned strategic affiliate, produces methanol, which is a key feedstock for POM production. Its production facilities are in Saudi Arabia.
The primary raw material for POM is formaldehyde, which is manufactured from methanol. Raw materials are sourced from internal production and from third parties, generally through long-term contracts.
Polyesters
The company’s products include a series of thermoplastic polyesters, including Celanex PBT, Crastin PBT and Thermx PCT (polycyclohexylene-dimethylene terephthalate), as well as Rynite PET, a polyester resin. These products are used in a wide variety of automotive, electrical, medical, industrial and consumer applications, including ignition system parts, radiator grilles, electrical switches, medical devices, insulation, photovoltaic panels, critical energy components, appliance and sensor housings, light emitting diodes and technical fibers.
Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMW-PE)
GUR, the company’s UHMW-PE trademark, is a highly engineered thermoplastic designed for a variety of industrial, consumer and medical applications. Primary applications for the material include lead acid battery separators, heavy machine components, lithium-ion separator membranes, and noise and vibration dampening tapes. Several specialty grades are also produced for applications in high performance filtration equipment, ballistic fibers, thermoplastic and elastomeric additives, as well as medical implants.
Long-fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics (LFRT)
Celstran and Factor, the company’s LFRT products, impart extra strength and stiffness, making them more suitable for larger parts than conventional thermoplastics. These products are used in automotive, transportation and industrial applications, such as instrument panels, consoles and front-end modules. LFRTs meet a wide range of end-user requirements and are excellent candidates for metal replacement where they provide the required structural integrity with significant weight reduction, corrosion resistance and the potential to lower manufacturing costs.
Liquid Crystal Polymers (LCP)
Vectra and Zenite, its LCP brands, are primarily used in electrical and electronics applications for precision parts with thin walls and complex shapes and applications requiring heat dissipation. They are also used in high heat cookware applications.
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)
Forprene, Sofprene T, Laprene and Hytrel, the company’s TPE brands, are primarily used in automotive, construction, appliances and consumer applications due to their ability to combine the advantages of both flexible and plastic materials. These materials are selected for their ability to stretch and return to their near original shape creating a longer life and better physical range than other materials.
Thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV)
Santoprene, Dytron and Geolast, the company’s TPV trademarks, are chemically cross-linked, high-performance materials which leverage a unique combination of engineering thermoplastic and elastomer properties. These products are used in future mobility, infrastructure, medical and sustainability applications.
Elastomers
Vamac EAE (ethylene acrylic elastomers), the company’s elastomer brand, is primarily used in variety of demanding automotive applications, including electric and hybrid vehicle components. These materials can be formulated to provide excellent resistance to extreme temperatures and fluids.
Polypropylene
The company’s polypropylene products include Polifor and Tecnoprene and are primarily used in automotive, appliances, electrical and consumer applications due to their high impact and fatigue resistance, exceptional rigidity at high temperatures and an ability to withstand chemical agents.
VitalDose
The company’s ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers, sold under the VitalDose trademark, are an enabling technology used for controlled-release drugs, medical implants and combination devices, including drug-eluting implants, reliable controlled-release performance in subcutaneous and surgical implants, intravitreal and extraocular devices.
Acetyl Chain segment
The Acetyl Chain segment, which includes the integrated chain of acetic acid, VAM, acetic anhydride, acetate esters, emulsion polymers, EVA polymers, redispersible powders, and acetate tow businesses, is active in every major global industrial sector and serves diverse consumer end-use applications. The Acetyl Chain operates as an integrated business with the breadth and flexibility to sell solutions across the segment and across global geographies utilizing various feedstocks. These solutions include traditional vinyl-based end uses, such as paints and coatings and adhesives, as well as other unique, high-value end uses, including flexible packaging, thermal laminations, wire and cable, and compounds.
The company’s acetyl chain business produces and supplies acetyl products, including acetic acid, VAM, acetic anhydride and acetate esters. These products are generally used as starting materials for colorants, paints, adhesives, coatings and pharmaceuticals. The company’s acetyl chain business also produces organic solvents and intermediates for pharmaceutical, agricultural and chemical products.
The company has focused in recent years on enhancing its ability to drive incremental value through its global production network and productivity initiatives, as well as proactively managing the acetyl chain business in response to trade flows and prevailing industry trends.
The company’s Acetyl Chain segment has production sites in Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.S. The company is a global industry leader, with a broad acetyls product portfolio, leading technology, low-cost production footprint and a global supply chain. The company’s production technology is among the lowest cost in the industry and provides it with global growth opportunities through low-cost expansions and a cost advantage over the company’s competitors. With decades of experience, advanced proprietary process technology and favorable capital and production costs, the company is a leading global producer of acetic acid, VAM and VAE. The company’s Vantage 2 technology enables it to increase VAM capacity to meet growing customer demand globally with minimal investment. VAM produced by the acetyl chain business is a primary raw material for the company’s emulsion polymers and EVA polymers businesses.
The company’s emulsion polymers business is a leading global producer of vinyl acetate-based emulsions and develops products and application technologies to improve performance, create value and drive innovation in applications, such as paints and coatings, adhesives, construction, glass fiber, textiles and paper. The company’s emulsion polymers products are sold under globally and regionally recognized brands, including EcoVAE, Mowilith, Vinamul, Celvolit, Dur-O-Set, Avicor, Flexbond and Resyn.
The company’s EVA polymers business is a leading North American manufacturer of a full range of specialty EVA resins and compounds, as well as select grades of LDPE. Sold under the Ateva brand, these products are used in many applications, including flexible packaging films, lamination film products, hot melt adhesives, automotive parts and carpeting.
The company’s RDP business is a leading global producer of redispersible polymer powders, sold under the Elotex brand. The business consumes polymer emulsions which are converted into powdered thermoplastic resin materials. RDP products are used in a variety of applications in the mortar industry, including decorative mortar, exterior insulation and finish systems, gypsum-based materials, plaster and render, self-leveling floor systems, skim coat and tile adhesives.
The company’s acetate tow business is a leading global producer and supplier of acetate tow and acetate flake, primarily used in filter products applications. The company holds an approximately 30% ownership interest in three separate ventures in China that produce acetate flake and acetate tow. China National Tobacco Corporation, a Chinese state-owned tobacco entity, has been its venture partner for over three decades.
Key Products
Acetyl Products
Acetyl products include acetic acid, VAM, acetic anhydride and acetate esters. Acetic acid is primarily used to manufacture VAM, purified terephthalic acid and other acetyl derivatives. VAM is used in a variety of adhesives, paints, films, coatings and textiles. Acetic anhydride is a raw material used in the production of cellulose acetate, detergents and pharmaceuticals. Acetate esters are used in solvents for ink formulations, surface coatings, adhesives and pharmaceutical industries. The company manufactures acetic acid, VAM and acetic anhydride for its own use in producing downstream, value-added products, as well as for sale to third parties.
Acetic acid and VAM leverage global supply and demand fundamentals. The principal raw materials in these products are carbon monoxide, methanol and ethylene. The company generally purchases carbon monoxide under long-term contracts. The company generally purchases methanol and ethylene under both annual and multi-year contracts. Methanol and ethylene are commodity products and generally available from a wide variety of sources, while carbon monoxide is typically purpose-made in proximity.
The company has a joint venture, Fairway Methanol LLC (‘Fairway’), with Mitsui, in which its own a 50% interest, to produce methanol at the company’s integrated chemical plant in Clear Lake, Texas. The methanol unit utilizes natural gas in the U.S. Gulf Coast region as a feedstock. Almost all the company’s North American methanol needs are met from its share of the production, as well as the long-term contract with its joint venture partner, Mitsui.
In December 2023, the company began carbon capture and utilization (CCU) operations at its Clear Lake site as part of its Fairway joint venture. The unit is capable of capturing CO2 industrial emissions and producing low-carbon methanol which would help the company’s global customers meet the growing demand for more sustainable and circular solutions. The products launched under the ECO-CC name and be supported through third-party mass balance tracking and life cycle assessment processes.
Solvents and Derivatives
The company manufactures a variety of solvents, formaldehyde and other chemicals, which in turn are used in the manufacture of paints, coatings, adhesives and other products. Many solvents and derivatives products are derived from the company’s production of acetic acid. Primary products are:
Ethyl acetate, an acetate ester that is a solvent used in coatings, inks and adhesives;
Butyl acetate, an acetate ester that is a solvent used in inks, pharmaceuticals and perfume; and
Formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde, which are primarily used to produce adhesive resins for plywood, particle board, coatings, POM engineering resins and a compound used in making polyurethane.
Emulsion Polymers
The company’s emulsion polymers business produces conventional vinyl- and acrylate-based emulsions and VAE emulsions. VAE emulsions are a key component of water-based architectural coatings, adhesives, non-wovens, textiles, glass fiber and other applications. VAE emulsions are in high demand in Europe and Asia as they enable low volatile organic compound paints, specifically in interior paints.
EVA Polymers
The company’s EVA polymers business produces low-density polyethylene, EVA resins and compounds. Low-density polyethylene is produced in high-pressure reactors from ethylene, while EVA resins and compounds are produced in high-pressure reactors from ethylene and VAM.
Redispersible Powders
The company’s RDP business uses a number of emulsions in manufacturing redispersible powders to meet requirements for various applications and formulated to fit its customers' needs for optimal production.
Acetate Tow and Acetate Flake
Acetate tow is a fiber used primarily in cigarette filters. To produce acetate tow, the company first produces acetate flake by processing wood pulp with acetic acid and acetic anhydride. Wood pulp generally comes from reforested trees and is purchased externally from a variety of sources, and acetic anhydride is an intermediate chemical that it produces from acetic acid in its intermediate chemistry business. Acetate flake is then further processed into acetate tow.
Customers
The company’s acetyl chain business sells its products both directly to customers and through distributors. Acetic acid, VAM, acetate esters and acetic anhydride are global businesses, and the company generally supplies its customers under a mix of short- and long-term agreements. Acetic acid, VAM and acetic anhydride customers produce intermediate chemicals and polymers used in water-based paints, adhesives, paper coatings, polyesters, film modifiers, pharmaceuticals, cellulose acetate and textiles. The company has long-standing relationships with most of these customers. Solvents and derivatives are sold to a diverse group of regional and multinational customers under multi-year contracts and on the basis of long-standing relationships. Solvents and derivatives customers are primarily engaged in the production of paints, coatings and adhesives. The company manufactures formaldehyde for its own use, as well as for sale to a few regional customers.
Emulsion, RDP and EVA polymers products are sold to a diverse group of regional, family owned and multinational customers. Customers of the company’s emulsion polymers and RDP business are manufacturers of water-based paints and coatings, adhesives, paper, building and construction products, glass fiber, non-wovens, textiles and premixed dry mortars. Customers of the company’s EVA polymers business are engaged in the manufacture of a variety of products, including hot melt adhesives, automotive components, thermal laminations, and flexible and food packaging materials.
Acetate tow is sold principally to the major tobacco companies that account for a majority of worldwide cigarette production. Many sales are conducted under contracts with pricing for one or more years.
Strategic Affiliates
The company’s strategic affiliates represent an important component of its strategy. In September 2023, the company formed a food ingredients joint venture with Mitsui under the name Nutrinova, also described below.
The company has a substantial portfolio of affiliates in various regions, including the Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Middle East. These affiliates have sizeable operations and are significant within their industries.
National Methanol Company
National Methanol Company (‘Ibn Sina’) is one of the world's largest producers of methyl tertiary-butyl ether, a gasoline additive. Its production facilities are in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is responsible for all product marketing. Methanol is a key feedstock for POM production and is produced by the company’s Ibn Sina affiliate which provides an economic hedge against raw material costs in its engineered materials business.
Nutrinova Netherlands B.V
Nutrinova Netherlands B.V. (Nutrinova) is a producer of Sunett acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) and Nutrinova sorbates, which are used to improve the safety, shelf-life and taste of its customers' products, including food and beverages, personal care, pet food, household cleaning products and pharmaceutical products.
Korea Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd.
Korea Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd. (KEPCO) is a leading producer of POM in South Korea. KEPCO has polyacetal production facilities in Ulsan, South Korea, compounding facilities for PBT and nylon in Pyongtaek, South Korea; and participates with Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. in a world-scale POM facility in Nantong, China.
Fortron Industries, LLC
Fortron Industries, LLC (Fortron) is a global producer of PPS, sold under the Fortron brand, which is used in a wide variety of automotive and other applications, especially those requiring heat and/or chemical resistance. Fortron's facility is in Wilmington, North Carolina. This venture combines the company’s sales, marketing, distribution, compounding and manufacturing expertise with the PPS polymer technology expertise of Kureha America Inc.
Toray Celanese Co., Ltd.
Toray Celanese Co., Ltd. manufactures Hytrel for sale primarily in the Japanese market. Hytrel is a versatile material with the ability to flex in multiple directions long after rubber would break. Its strength and durability, combined with its heat resilience and chemical resistance make it an essential ingredient in automotive and construction applications due to its ability to combine the advantages of both flexible and plastic materials.
DuBay Polymer GmbH
DuBay Polymer GmbH is a manufacturing joint venture with Lanxess AG to produce PBT-based products.
Mylar Specialty Films
Mylar Specialty Films is a global producer of PET polyester films, which are used in a wide variety of end markets, such as consumer, industrial, healthcare and electronics. Mylar and Melinex brand films, known for their wide range of performance capabilities, are used in a variety of applications.
Celanese Filaments
Celanese Filaments is a joint venture with Xingda for the production and sale of nylon and PBT-based filament products used in the personal care, construction and industrial end-markets.
Other Equity Method Investments
InfraServs
The company holds indirect ownership interests in several German InfraServ Groups that own and develop industrial parks and provide various technical and administrative services to tenants.
Intellectual Property
Trademarks
Amcel, AOPlus, Ateva, Avicor, Celanese, Celanex, Celanyl, Celcon, Celstran, Celvolit, Clarifoil, Crastin, Dur-O-Set, Dytron, ECOMID, EcoVAE, Elotex, Factor, Flexbond, Forprene, FRIANYL, Fortron, Geolast, GHR, GUR, Hostaform, Hytrel, Laprene, Melinex, MetaLX, Micromax, Mowilith, MT, Mylar, NILAMID, Nylfor, OmniLon, Pibifor, Pibiter, Polifor, Resyn, Rynite, Santoprene, SlideX, Sofprene, Sofpur, Talcoprene, Tarnoform, Tecnoprene, TufCOR, Tynex, Vamac, VAntage, Vectra, Vinac, Vinamul, VitalDose, Zenite, Zytel and certain other branded products and services named are registered or reserved trademarks or service marks owned or licensed by Celanese. The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all registered or reserved trademarks and service marks owned or licensed by Celanese. Fortron is a registered trademark of Fortron Industries LLC. Hostaform is a registered trademark of Hoechst GmbH. Mowilith and NILAMID are registered trademarks of Celanese in most European countries.
Competition
Engineered Materials: This segment’s principal competitors include Anhui Jinhe Industrial Co., Ltd.; Ascend Performance Materials LLC; BASF SE; Daicel Corporation (‘Daicel’); DOMO Chemicals; Kingfa Science and Technology; Korea Petrochemical Ind. Co, Ltd (‘KPIC’); Envalior GmbH; SABIC Innovative Plastics; and Solvay S.A., as well as other regional competitors, such as Asahi Kasei Corporation; Braskem S.A.; Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.; Sumitomo Corporation; Teijin Limited; and Toray Industries, Inc.
Acetyl Chain: This segment’s principal competitors include Arkema; BASF SE; Cerdia; Chang Chun Petrochemical Co., Ltd.; Daicel; Dairen Chemical Corporation; Dow Inc.; Eastman Chemical Company; ExxonMobil Chemical; Huayi Chemical Co., Ltd.; INEOS; Jiangsu Sopo (Group) Co., Ltd.; Kuraray Co., Ltd.; LyondellBasell Industries N.V.; Nippon Gohsei; Showa Denko K.K.; Sipchem; and Wacker Chemie AG.
History
Celanese Corporation was founded in 1912. The company was incorporated in 2004 under the laws of the state of Delaware.
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