Celanese Launches BlueRidge™ Cellulosic Pellets as Home Compostable Alternative to Single-Use Plastics

Thu, October 22 2020

Wood pulp and vinegar-based material works as potential replacement for hard-to-recycle, single-use plastic applications

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Displaying a commitment to sustainable product developments and initiatives, Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global chemical and specialty materials company, today launches a breakthrough cellulose-based material that aligns with ESG and circular economy objectives with a product that is both bio-based and broadly compostable.

To advance this effort, Celanese announces the commercial availability of its BlueRidge™ Cellulosic Pellets, a sustainability-inspired product intended to be an alternative to conventional plastics, both transparent and opaque, in difficult-to-recycle consumer applications. This material is both economically and technically viable, as well as rooted in sustainability from its raw materials to end-of-life compostability.

“We’ve studied how developments in sustainability impact the markets we serve and how we can better meet these growing demands; and we see the challenge of single-use plastic waste as one we are uniquely positioned to potentially tackle in a novel and significant way,” said Lori Ryerkerk, Celanese Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Today Celanese welcomes the launch of BlueRidge™ Cellulosic Pellets as the Company’s next leap forward with a sustainable and compostable alternative to plastic.”

Part of the BlueRidge™ material’s elegance is in the simple and sustainable chemistry that makes it work. It is based primarily on cellulose acetate, which is produced using cellulose from sustainably forested trees. The resulting BlueRidge™ material is recognized as being home and industrial compostable as well as broadly biodegradable in a range of environments, ultimately breaking down into glucose and vinegar, which are readily consumed in nature.

Production Capacity & Strength

Celanese is one of the world’s leading producers of cellulose acetate, with an annual production capacity of more than 300 kilotons globally. Celanese is also a leading global producer and supplier of engineered polymers with worldwide production capability providing local material supply to all regions of the world. This combined strength in cellulose acetate and polymer compounding capability enables Celanese to support the largest-scale demand for BlueRidge™ Cellulosic Pellets.

Consumer End Use Product Application Opportunities

Although its chemical composition is more that of paper than plastic, BlueRidge™ Cellulosic Pellets are designed to be processed on conventional plastics machinery to efficiently produce many of the products on which society depends. Additionally, the material can offer improved mechanical and temperature performance relative to other common bio-based and bio-degradable polymers, particularly as a fully transparent material. It is proving to be a material with potential value in many rigid single-use products, such as straws, cutlery, lids, containers and packaging, among many other uses. BlueRidge™ material provides new options for consumers to have more sustainable choices without having to sacrifice functionality and features.

Product Availability and Contacts

For additional information regarding BlueRidge™ Cellulosic Pellets, visit https://www.celanese.com/en/engineered-materials/products/blueridge to download the Company’s latest resource document on cellulosic pellet product development. To discuss end-use consumer product opportunities, contact a Celanese commercial representative at BlueRidge@celanese.com.

About Celanese

Celanese Corporation is a global chemical 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 2019 net sales of $6.3 billion. For more information about Celanese Corporation and its product offerings, visit www.celanese.com or our blog at www.celaneseblog.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 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 or its customers will realize these benefits or that these expectations 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 other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed as forward-looking statements. Other risk factors include those that 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.

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Investor Relations
Brandon Ayache
+1 972 443 8509
brandon.ayache@celanese.com

Media Relations – Global
W. Travis Jacobsen
+1 972 443 3750
william.jacobsen@celanese.com

Media Relations Europe (Germany)
Petra Czugler
+49 69 45009 1206
petra.czugler@celanese.com

Source: Celanese Corporation