Celanese Announces GUR® UHMWPE Capacity Expansion at Bishop, Texas Facility

Thu, January 7 2016

Additional capacity to allow for introduction of new medical GUR® grades

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global technology and specialty materials company, today announced plans to expand manufacturing production capacity for its GUR® ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) product at the company’s Bishop, Texas facility. Expansion of the GUR® UHMWPE manufacturing facility will increase capacity to 38 kT/a, with final completion expected in May 2016.

“Increasing production capacity at our Bishop facility will enable Celanese to expand our reach, support a growing and diverse customer base, and respond to increasing consumer needs for materials in high-value lithium-ion battery, medical and pharmaceutical, and filtration applications,” said Scott Sutton, president, Materials Solutions for Celanese. “With this expansion, Celanese strengthens its position as the world’s leading producer of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, with the broadest portfolio of grades among any of our competitors.”

This capacity expansion provides Celanese with additional production flexibility to introduce two new medical GUR® grades for the pharmaceutical industry. These new products will draw on the company’s expertise in manufacturing engineered materials with stringent raw material controls for product consistency and quality that meet pharmaceutical regulations. These new medical grades for the pharmaceutical industry will serve customer applications including filtering, purification of liquid drug formulations, and mechanically operated devices used in drug contact and delivery.

GUR® UHMWPE is a linear polyethylene with a much higher molecular weight than standard PE, which offers outstanding abrasion resistance, superior impact strength, non-sticking and self-lubricating properties, and excellent mechanical characteristics, even in cryogenic conditions. The material is eight times lighter than steel and lasts 10 times longer than high density PE in abrasive environments.

As a polyethylene with a very high molecular weight, GUR® UHMWPE is produced as a powder that requires specific processing. In the semi-finished industry, the high pressures generated in compression molding and ram extrusion processes fuse the particles together. The material is then typically formed into stock shapes or profiles.

Celanese offers GUR® UHMWPE grades for applications including orthopedic implants, water and air filtration, battery separators, fibers, additives and membranes. Celanese GUR® UHMWPE premium grades for orthopedic implants and pharmaceuticals meet the requirements of health organizations, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Union regulations. FDA Drug and Device Master Files are available for premium grades.

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. With sales almost equally divided between North America, Europe and Asia, the company uses the full breadth of its global chemistry, technology and business expertise to create value for customers and the corporation. Celanese partners with customers to solve their most critical needs while making a positive impact on its communities and the world. Based in Dallas, Texas, Celanese employs approximately 7,500 employees worldwide and had 2014 net sales of $6.8 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

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 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 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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Celanese
Investor Relations:
Chuck Kyrish, +1 972-443-4574
chuck.kyrish@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
or
Media Relations Europe (Germany):
Jens Kurth, +49(0)69 45009 1574
j.kurth@celanese.com

Source: Celanese Corporation