Celanese Launches ‘Regulated Product’ Category for Acetate Tow Materials

Thu, June 21 2018

U.S. customers to benefit from RP category via regulatory support, product quality, long-term supply commitments

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Manufacturers of tobacco products for U.S. consumers face an increasingly complex and challenging regulatory environment. To better support these customers, Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE), a global specialty materials company, today announces the launch of a new “Regulated Product” (RP) category to encompass all acetate tow grades used in tobacco products sold in the United States.

To support the RP category, investments will be made to increase the level of regulatory support Celanese is able to provide customers as well as enhance product testing and end-to-end raw material and product traceability capabilities. Further investments to gradually transition to a manufacturing process more fully aligning with Good Manufacturing Practices or future guidance specific to the tobacco industry are expected. Additionally, acetate tow products in the Celanese RP category will be supported by longer-term supply obligations as well as Celanese commitments related to the sourcing of critical raw materials and acetate tow security of supply.

“It’s a fact that the Food & Drug Administration’s (FDA) regulation of tobacco products in the U.S. has created a unique set of requirements for our customers and we do not anticipate this regulatory environment to ease in the foreseeable future,” said Marcel van Amerongen, Vice President, Cellulose Derivatives business of Celanese. “The launch of the RP category will enable us to better support our customers and ensure that the specific requirements of the U.S. regulatory framework for tobacco products will be met, both now and in the future.”

To be able to support this initiative, Celanese will increase the price for all acetate tow products in the Celanese RP category by US$1.00/kg. This price increase will be applied to all orders shipped on or after July 1, 2018, or as contracts otherwise allow. This announcement does not immediately change any existing commercial agreements between Celanese and its customers or alter the company’s current acetate tow product offerings. Celanese will work with each of its affected customers to tailor their agreements with Celanese to meet their product and regulatory needs through RP category products.

Customers are encouraged to contact their account manager for additional information.

About Celanese

Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. Our businesses use the full breadth of Celanese's global chemistry, technology and commercial expertise to create value for our customers, employees, shareholders and the corporation. As we partner with our customers to solve their most critical business needs, we strive to make a positive impact on our communities and the world through The Celanese Foundation. Based in Dallas, Celanese employs approximately 7,700 employees worldwide and had 2017 net sales of $6.1 billion. For more information about Celanese Corporation and its product offerings, visit www.celanese.com or our blog at www.celaneseblog.com.

All registered trademarks are owned by Celanese International Corporation or its affiliates.

Forward-Looking Statements

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Celanese Corporation
Investor Relations
Surabhi Varshney, +1-972-443-3078
surabhi.varshney@celanese.com
or
Media Relations – Global
W. Travis Jacobsen, +1-972-443-3750
william.jacobsen@celanese.com
or
Media Relations Asia (Shanghai)
Helen Zhang, +86 21 3861 9279
lan.zhang@celanese.com
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Media Relations Europe (Germany)
Jens Kurth, +49(0)69 45009 1574
j.kurth@celanese.com

Source: Celanese Corporation