Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE) today reported strong earnings in the first quarter with net sales of $1,631 million, a 9% increase from the prior year, driven by improved pricing on continued strong demand, volume increases in specialty businesses, and positive currency effects across the company. Net sales included partial quarter results from the company’s recent acquisition of the acetate flake, tow and film business of Acetate Products Limited (APL). Operating profit increased to $239 million from $169 million in the same period last year as operating margins expanded in Chemical Products and Acetate Products. A favorable Canadian methanol production contract and lower selling, general and administrative expenses contributed to the improved performance. Net earnings from continuing operations were $144 million versus $96 million in the first quarter of 2006. All operating results for both periods shown exclude the discontinued operations of the company’s oxo alcohol business sold in February 2007.

Adjusted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.91 compared to $0.59 in the same period last year. The 2007 adjusted results exclude $17 million in net expense primarily related to costs associated with the exit of an ethylene pipeline venture and certain other expenses which do not reflect underlying operations. Operating EBITDA for the quarter increased to $349 million from $269 million in the prior year period.

“The excellent results in the first quarter reflect the successful execution of our business strategy and the benefits of our balanced geographic and end market presence,” said David Weidman, chairman and chief executive officer. “Our leading global businesses are well-positioned in their respective industries to deliver earnings growth and increased shareholder value.”

Recent Highlights

• Announced that its new, world-class GUR® ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) facility will be located at its integrated chemical complex in Nanjing, China. Also announced approval of new Celstran® long-fiber reinforced thermoplastic (LFRT) production unit at the Nanjing complex.
• Announced a strategic partnership with Accsys Technologies PLC, and its subsidiary Titan Wood, for application of Celanese’s core acetyl products in Accsys’ proprietary Accoya™ wood production process.
• Entered a joint venture with Tianjin Shield Fine Chemical Company Limited to manufacture, distribute and sell the vinyl ester of neodecanoic acid, a monomer used to enhance vinyl-based emulsions systems. Commercial production of the joint venture’s 5,000 metric ton plant is expected to begin in late 2007 or early 2008.
• Refinanced its senior credit facilities, senior subordinated notes and senior discount notes and repurchased approximately $72 million of its common stock, consistent with the company’s strategy to use its strong cash generation to create value for shareholders. Upgraded by Moody’s with affirmed ‘positive’ outlook and outlook revised to ‘positive’ by S&P.
• Implemented two governance changes within its board of directors in support of the company’s independent status: the appointment of president and chief executive officer David N. Weidman to chairman, and the election of Mark C. Rohr, president and CEO of Albemarle Corporation, as an independent director.
• Announced a new executive retention compensation program linked to shareholder value creation.
• Completed the sale of oxo products and derivatives business for a selling price of €480 million.
• Discontinued production of methanol and cellulose acetate flake at its manufacturing facility in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

First Quarter Segment Overview

Chemical Products

Chemical Products continued to benefit from strong global demand for its differentiated acetyl intermediates products. Net sales, excluding results of the divested oxo alcohol business, rose 6% to $1,078 million compared to the same period last year, primarily due to higher pricing in acetyl intermediates, favorable currency effects, and a beneficial Canadian methanol production contract. Operating profit increased 35% to $181 million compared to the same period last year on higher variable margins. Improved pricing and lower raw material costs drove the increased margins. Operating EBITDA increased 33% to $232 million due to the improved operating profit as well as higher dividend income from the company’s methanol and MTBE cost affiliate in Saudi Arabia.

Ticona Technical Polymers

Innovation and application development in Ticona continued to drive year-over-year volume growth, particularly in the European region. Net sales increased 13% to $262 million compared to the same period last year on increased volumes and positive currency effects, partially offset by lower pricing related to customer and application mix. Operating profit decreased to $36 million from $41 million in the same period last year as higher raw material and energy costs more than offset the volume increases. Operating EBITDA was $68 million compared to $69 million in the same period last year as performance in the company’s strategic equity investments was unchanged from the prior year.

Acetate Products

Acetate Products delivered strong performance in the quarter. Net sales increased 34% to $223 million compared to the same period last year mainly resulting from the company’s acquisition of the APL business in January 2007 and higher pricing on continued strong demand. Operating profit was $29 million versus $23 million in the same period last year. Higher pricing and lower energy costs more than offset increases in raw materials and temporarily higher manufacturing costs resulting from the previously announced closure of flake production at the company’s Canadian facility in March 2007. The results for the acquired APL business did not materially impact operating profit. Operating EBITDA increased to $37 million compared to $30 million in the same period last year.

Performance Products

Net sales for Performance Products decreased 8% to $45 million for the quarter compared to $49 million in the prior year period as positive currency effects did not offset lower volumes and slightly lower pricing. The lower volumes were primarily related to the company’s exit of its non-core lower margin trade business during the fourth quarter of 2006 and fewer customer product launches this year versus the prior year. Operating profit was $16 million compared to $17 million in the same period last year. Operating EBITDA decreased slightly to $20 million compared to $21 million in the same period last year.

Taxes

The tax rate for adjusted earnings per share was 28% in the first quarters of 2007 and 2006. The U.S. GAAP effective tax rate in 2007 will fluctuate from quarter to quarter given the U.S. GAAP treatment of the recapitalization transaction, described below, as an unusual item which will be accounted for as a discrete transaction in the second quarter. The adjusted tax rate is based on our previous guidance which did not include this transaction.

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, totaled $33 million in the first quarter, an increase of $8 million from last year on higher dividends from the company’s cost investment in Saudi Arabia, primarily associated with the timing of tax payments. Equity and cost investment dividends, which are included in operating cash flow, increased to $45 million from $24 million last year as the company received increased dividends from both its equity and cost investments, principally due to timing of dividends from the Infraserv equity investments.

Cash Flow

Net debt at the end of the first quarter was $2,374 million, a decrease of $333 million compared to the end of the fourth quarter of 2006. Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the quarter totaled $1,115 million, an increase of $324 million compared to the end of 2006. Cash proceeds from the oxo alcohol business divestiture, net of cash requirements to purchase the remaining share of the EOXO cost investment, were approximately $508 million. Cash requirements related to the acquisition of the APL business were approximately $119 million and the repurchase of Celanese AG shares were approximately $81 million. During the first quarter, the company generated approximately $86 million in cash flow from operations compared to $1 million in the prior year period, excluding cash used by the discontinued oxo alcohol business.

Summary of Recapitalization Transactions

In March 2007, the company announced a comprehensive recapitalization strategy to refinance its debt and repurchase shares. The transaction concluded in April 2007 as the company entered into a new credit facility of approximately $3.7 billion, consisting of $2.8 billion term loans due in 2014, a $650 million revolving credit facility due in 2013 and a $228 million credit linked revolving facility due in 2014. Proceeds from the new credit facility together with available cash were used to retire its $2.4 billion credit facility and redeem approximately $1.4 billion of the senior subordinated notes and senior discount notes. In connection with the refinancing, the company paid approximately $220 million of tender costs. As a result of the recapitalization, the company lowered its total debt by approximately $200 million.

The company now expects interest expense, excluding one-time items and net of interest income, to be between $205 million and $215 million for 2007 compared to $257 million for 2006.

Through a tender offer, the company also repurchased a total of $72 million of its Series A Common Stock at a purchase price of $30.50 per share. The total repurchase, representing approximately 1.5 percent of its currently outstanding common stock, included shares purchased in the tender offer and on a pro rata basis from investment funds associated with The Blackstone Group, L.P.

In total, the company used approximately $510 million of cash in April 2007 associated with the debt reduction, the closing of the refinancing transaction, and the share repurchase.

“These transactions are a major milestone in our strategy to improve our balance sheet and capture incremental earnings beginning in the second quarter of 2007,” said John J. Gallagher III, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Through these actions, we have enhanced our operational and strategic flexibility while increasing shareholder value.”

Outlook

Based on the company’s strong performance in the first quarter, the continued strength in its global businesses and the success of its recapitalization efforts, the company raised its 2007 outlook for adjusted earnings per share to between $2.85 and $3.15, with a mid-point of $3.00 per share. The company’s previous guidance range was between $2.70 and $3.00 per share. Lower net interest expense from the refinancing represents an estimated incremental $0.10 per share improvement from the company’s previous guidance. The strong performance in the first quarter will be partially offset by an estimated additional $0.10 per share for the remainder of the year related to the company’s previously announced executive retention program. The company also increased its guidance range for operating EBITDA to between $1,180 million and $1,250 million from its previous range of between $1,155 million and $1,225 million.

“We remain optimistic about the outlook for the balance of the year based on continued strength in our global businesses,” said Weidman. “Our strengthening portfolio and the substantial progress we have made toward our six-point growth strategy will continue to deliver improved performance and value for our shareholders.”

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 $6.7 billion in 2006, with over 60% 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 8,900 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 four performance measures, operating EBITDA, affiliate EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, and net debt 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 adjusted earnings per share is earnings per common share-diluted; and for net debt is total debt.

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. 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 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 provide guidance on an adjusted earnings per share basis and are unable to reconcile forecasted adjusted earnings per share to a GAAP financial measure 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.
• Net debt is defined as total debt less cash and cash equivalents. We believe that the presentation of this non-U.S. GAAP measure provides useful information to management and investors regarding changes to the company’s capital structure. Our management and credit analysts use net debt to evaluate the company's capital structure and assess credit quality. This non-U.S. GAAP information is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for U.S. GAAP financial information.

Results Unaudited

The results presented in this release, together with the adjustments made to present the results on a comparable basis, have not been audited and are based on internal financial data furnished to management. Quarterly results should not be taken as an indication of the results of operations to be reported for any subsequent period or for the full fiscal year.