UNITED STATES
 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 
FORM 8-K
 
Current Report
 
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) :   December 7, 2009
 

 
CELANESE CORPORATION
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
DELAWARE 
(State or other jurisdiction  of incorporation)
001-32410
(Commission File  Number)
98-0420726
(IRS Employer  Identification No.)
 
 
 
1601 West LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75234-6034
 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (972) 443-4000
 
Not Applicable
 
 (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
 

 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 
      
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
      
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
 
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
 
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


 
 
 

Item 7.01
Regulation FD Disclosure.
 
On December 9, 2009, David N. Weidman, chairman and chief executive officer of Celanese Corporation (the "Company"), will address attendees of the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2009 Global Industries Conference in New York.  The slideshow presentation that will accompany the remarks made by Mr. Weidman and other investor relations professionals of the Company, during the conference and at other investor sessions, is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein solely for purposes of this Item 7.01 disclosure.  A webcast of the presentation and a replay of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.celanese.com under Investor/Presentations & Webcasts.
 
The information set forth in this Item 7.01, as well as statements made by representatives of the Company during the course of the presentation, includes “forward-looking statements”.  All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Item 7.01, the attached Exhibit 99.1, or made during the course of the presentation, that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements.
 
In connection with the disclosure set forth in this Item 7.01, the information in this Current Report, including the exhibits attached hereto, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of such section. The information in this Current Report, including the exhibits, shall not be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any incorporation by reference language in any such filings. This Current Report will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information in this Current Report that is required to be disclosed solely by Regulation FD.

 
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 
              (d)  Exhibit(s)
   
Exhibit Number
Description
99.1
Slide Presentation related to the presentation to be given by Celanese Corporation at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2009 Global Industries Conference on December 9, 2009 in New York
   
 
 
 

 
 
 


 
SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 


 
 
 

  CELANESE CORPORATION  
       
Date:  December 7, 2009
By:
/s/ Robert L. Villaseñor  
    Name : Robert L. Villaseñor  
    Title :   Associate General Counsel and
             Assistant Secretary
 
       
 
 

 
 
 


 

 
Exhibit Index
 

 
Exhibit Number
Description
   99.1
Slide Presentation related to the presentation to be given by Celanese Corporation at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch 2009 Global Industries Conference on December 9, 2009 in New York
   

 

 

 
 
Celanese Corporation
December 2009
 
 
 
2
Forward Looking Statements
Reconciliation and Use of Non-GAAP Measures to U.S. GAAP
  Forward-Looking Statements
    This presentation 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 presentation reflects five performance measures, operating EBITDA, affiliate EBITDA, adjusted earnings per share, net debt and adjusted free cash flow, 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 affiliate EBITDA is equity in net earnings of
  affiliates; for adjusted earnings per share is earnings per common share-diluted; for net debt is total debt; and for adjusted free cash flow is cash flow from operations.
  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.   We may provide guidance on operating EBITDA and are unable to reconcile forecasted operating EBITDA to a U.S.GAAP financial measure
  because a forecast of Other Charges and Adjustments is not practical.   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, including Celanese Proportional Share of affiliate information on Table 8, 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 may provide guidance on an adjusted earnings per share basis and
  are unable to reconcile forecasted adjusted earnings per share to a GAAP financial measure without unreasonable effort 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.
  ► The tax rate used for adjusted earnings per share approximates the midpoint in a range of forecasted tax rates for the year, excluding changes in uncertain tax positions, discrete items and changes in
  management’s assessments regarding the ability to realize deferred tax assets. We analyze this rate quarterly and adjust if there is a material change in the range of forecasted tax rates; an updated forecast would
  not necessarily result in a change to our tax rate used for adjusted earnings per share. The adjusted tax rate is an estimate and may differ significantly from the tax rate used for U.S. GAAP reporting in any given
  reporting period. It is not practical to reconcile our prospective adjusted tax rate to the actual U.S. GAAP tax rate in any future period.
  ► 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.
  ► Adjusted free cash flow is defined as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures, other productive asset purchases, operating cash from discontinued operations and certain other charges and adjustments.
  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 cash flow.   Our management and credit analysts use
  adjusted free cash flow to evaluate the company’s liquidity 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 presentation, 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.
 
 
 
3
Celanese
($ million)
2009 3Q YTD Revenue:     $3,694
2009 3Q YTD Op. EBITDA:   $620
Consumer Specialties
2009 3Q YTD Revenue:   $817
2009 3Q YTD Op. EBITDA: $283
Advanced Engineered
Materials
2009 3Q YTD Revenue   $569
2009 3Q YTD Op. EBITDA:   $84
Industrial Specialties
2009 3Q YTD Revenue:   $745
2009 3Q YTD Op. EBITDA:   $90
Acetyl Intermediates
2009 3Q YTD Revenue:   $1,860
2009 3Q YTD Op. EBITDA:   $229
Strong financial performance in a challenging year
Celanese diversified portfolio delivers
shareholder value through leading franchises
 
 
 
4
Portfolio Characteristics
Financial Impact
Acetyl Intermediates
(Acetic Acid, Vinyl Acetate
Monomer, Acetyl Derivatives)
►   A global leader
►   Advantaged technology
►   Superior cost position
►   Capital efficient
►   More stable EBITDA
Advanced Engineered
Materials
(Engineered Thermoplastics and
Polymers)
►   Industry-leading technology
►   Strong product pipeline
►   Higher growth
►   Margin expansion  
Industrial Specialties
(Vinyl Emulsions and Polymers)
►   Upstream integration
►   Emerging economy opportunities
►   Growth through innovation
►   Asia growth
►   Increased demand for low VOC
Consumer Specialties
(Acetate Flake and Tow, High
Intensity Food Sweetener)
►   Stable cash generation
►   Industry-leading partnerships in
  Asia
►   Cash flow
►   Stable
Balanced portfolio creates a unique hybrid business model
Portfolio well-positioned to deliver and
execute
 
 
 
5
Divest non-core assets and
revitalize underperforming
businesses
Aggressively
align with our customers
and their markets to
capture growth
Participate in
businesses where we have
a sustainable competitive
advantage
Leverage and build on
advantaged positions that
optimize our portfolio
FOCUS
GROWTH
REDEPLOYMENT
INVESTMENT
Celanese
Strategic
Pillars
Celanese’s strategic DNA remains consistent
 
 
 
6
►   Balanced footprint in key
  regions
►   Recovering conditions in key
  end-use industries
►   Attractive balance sheet with
  strong cash generation
Geographic
Demand
Capital Structure
►   Sustainable fixed spending
  reductions
►   Efficient and scalable capital
►   Global macro trends driving
  customer growth
Operating
Innovation
  Celanese Advantages   Celanese Levers of Value
Increasing the earnings power of the business through multiple levers
Why Celanese?   Why Celanese Now?
 
 
 
7
Operating EBITDA
~$1,100 million
$1,600-1,800 million
Second half 2009 performance provides platform for future growth
Increased earnings power drives significant
shareholder value
 
 
 
8
Earnings power of portfolio expected to double from today’s level
Expanded Earnings Power
  Group
Capital
Structure Lever
Demand
Lever
Geographic
Lever
Operating
Lever
Innovation
Lever
2009E to
Recovery
EBITDA
Growth*
  Advanced
  Engineered
  Materials
X
X
X
X
$275-325MM
  Consumer
  Specialties
X
X
$10-60MM
X
X
X
X
$275-375MM
  Industrial
  Specialties
X
X
X
X
$75-125MM
* “2009 to Recovery EBITDA Growth” based on Nov. 20, 2009 first call consensus EBITDA estimate and management’s previous Recovery range of $1.6 - 1.8 billion.
Levers build significant earnings power of
the portfolio
 
 
 
9
Recent strategic actions build earnings power of portfolio
  ►   MOU announced for Acetate
  expansion project with current
  China partner
Consumer
Specialties
►   2011+: Increased earnings
  through JV dividends
  ►   Nanjing VAE   / Emulsion
  capacity expansion
Industrial
Specialties
►   2011+: Volume expansion
  supporting growth in China
Well defined path forward - delivering
today
  ►   Nanjing successfully expanded
  to 1.2 kt/a acid capacity
  ►   Pardies site closure project on
  schedule for completion end of
  2009
  ►   Jiangxi Jiangwei VAM sourcing
  agreement
Acetyl
Intermediates
  ►   2010+: $40-50 million
    operating margin
    improvement
  ►   Strengthen derivatives
  position
  ►   Launch of innovative impact
  modified POM
Advanced
Engineered
Materials
►   2010+: $500 million
  application opportunity
  growth
 
 
 
10
Automotive Opportunity
►   Current “best-in-class”
  translation to all models
  yields translation
  opportunity
►   Westernization of current
  China production drives
  China opportunity
►   Successful
  commercialization of
  application R&D creates
  pipeline opportunity
3.0
Total AEM
Today
Total
Competitors
Today
Translation
China
Pipeline
Total
Opportunity
Significant opportunities exist in ~$3 billion industry space
AEM:   Application development creates
current - and future - opportunities
 
 
 
11
Improvement in POM Technical
Performance
New Ticona
POM Space
Existing
POM Space
Increase weldline strain @ break %
Technology enables additional $500 million application space
opportunity
Automotive Applications
►   Chemical resistance
►   Superior impact & weldline strength
►   Elevated heat deflection temperature
Industrial Applications
►   Higher stiffness (Modulus)
►   Improved slip & wear performance
►   Less mold deposit
Consumer Applications
►   Design freedom
►   Superior impact and weldline strength
Incremental $500 Million
Application Opportunity
Ticona: Growing application space through
innovation
 
 
 
12
Source: Celanese internal estimates
MOU announced for expansion project with current China partner
kT
China
ROW
Chinese Imports
Chinese Domestic
Production
Tow Demand Growth
Additional Demand
Growth
$230 million
Operating EBITDA
2005 Base
Productivity
Recovery
Growth
Operating &
Innovation
2006 - 2010
Strategic Objectives
>$50 million
2009 to “Recovery”
Strategic Objectives
$20-30 million
$350-400 million
CS: Acetate Tow demand in China will drive
worldwide growth
 
 
 
13
A Growing
Franchise
►   Proven execution and leadership capability
►   Significant value from downstream derivatives
►   Build upon advantages to optimize returns over the
  long-term
►   Long-term growth rates in excess of GDP
►   Favorable position on a steep industry cost curve
►   Advantaged raw material and conversion position
►   Flexible manufacturing and low-cost capacity
An Advantaged
Business in an
Attractive Industry
Technology leadership at the heart of Acetyl competitive position
AI:   A growing franchise in an attractive industry
 
 
 
14
►   Manufacturing
  realignment and
  Nanjing expansion
  further improving cost
  position
►   Reinvestment
  economics challenged
  for non-leading
  technologies
2009/2011E Acetic Acid Cost Curve (kT)
By Prod
Avg Other Leading
Technology
Effective Industry Utilization Rates
Ethylene
Highest Cost
China MeOH
Ethanol
Average Celanese
Lower Cost
China MeOH
Source: Celanese internal estimates
Pricing for CE to
earn >15% EBITDA
AI:   New capacity not expected to impact
Celanese’s advantaged position
on the cost curve
 
 
 
15
IS:   Global leader in emulsions systems for
environmentally-friendly paints and coatings
►   Consumer perception favoring “greener”
  building products
►   Regulation shifting to low-VOC content
►   Celanese building off of a European
  leadership position
Global opportunity of $400-500 million - Nanjing expansion
announced to meet growing China demand
European VAE Growth
Celanese EcoVAE ® Progress
►   14 new customers utilizing EcoVAE ®
►   Projects with six major paint producers
►   Launching new EcoVAE ® products
  •   Low-VOC exterior paint
  •   Acrylic replacement in Non-Flats
►   Expanding EcoVAE ® products to Asia
 
 
 
16
Productivity Driven
Tax Rate
Represents approximately $1.00 per share in
2010 earnings improvement
2010 Earnings Improvement
  ►   AEM: Destocking complete
  ►   AI:   Technology, 2009 FIFO effect
  ►   IS:   Asia growth focus
  ►   CS:   Sustain performance
  ►   Pardies & Cangrejera closures
  ►   Other manufacturing realignment
  ►   SG&A realignment
  ►   Sustain lower tax rate
  ►   Benefits of manufacturing and
    administrative restructuring
  ►   Cash taxes rate expected
    to be similar
Volume Driven
$80 - $100
At least $100
Low 20% range
vs. 29%
  $ in millions
 
 
 
17
Strong cash generation continues throughout economic cycle
2010E Cash Generation off EBITDA Base
$ in millions
2010E
Comments
Cash Taxes
$140 - $160
Consistent with earnings growth and lower tax rate
Capital Expenditures
$240 - $260
Continued focus on cost reduction and growth
through Nanjing VAE expansion
Reserve/Other
$110 - $130
Increase primarily related to fixed spending
reduction efforts
Net Interest
$200 - $210
Unchanged from 2009
Pension
$40 - $50
No significant increase expected in 2010
Adjusted Free Cash
Outflows
$730 - $810
Hybrid portfolio well positioned  
 
 
 
18
Available Cash
Cash (as of 9/30/2009)
$1,293
Kelsterbach Spending
~($300)
Operating Cash
~($300)
Cash Available for
Strategic Purposes
~$700
►   Ticona Kelsterbach relocation
  cash flow neutral through end of
  2010
►   Expect to continue to generate
  positive free cash flow
►   Productivity investments
  expected to be self-funding
Significant cash available for strategic purposes after anticipated
cash commitments
$ million
Positive cash generation and portfolio
improvements enhance our cash position
 
 
 
19
Term Loan - $2.8 billion
Other Debt Obligations - $775 million
Cash - $1.3 billion
Net Debt - $2.3 billion
Revolver - $600 million
Cost
Stability
Flexibility
Structure Characteristics
Primary Components
Solid liquidity position and covenant-lite term loan create
advantaged capital structure
Credit Linked Facility - $136 million
Celanese capital structure
 
 
 
20
Why Celanese?   Why Celanese Now?
Significant value upside over current share price
Geographic
Demand
Capital Structure
Operating
Innovation
Track record
of execution
High return
opportunities
►   $1.6-1.8 billion recovery
  earnings
►   Rapid earnings growth of
  the current base -
  $1.00/share growth in
  2010
►   Over $2 billion of cash
  generation through 2014
►   Returns continue to
  exceed weighted
  average cost of capital
►   More stable earnings
  profile
  Levers of Value   Shareholder Value
 
 
 
Celanese Corporation
December 2009
 
 
 
22
Acetyl Intermediates
Industrial Specialties
Advanced Engineered Materials
Consumer Specialties
JVs Dividends
PVOH Divesture
3Q 2009
Segment Operating EBITDA Recovery
 
 
 
23
Celanese Global Manufacturing Locations
All values shown in kT per year
Singapore
Acid   = 600
VAM   = 210
Esters = 130
Frankfurt, Germany
VAM   = 285
Esters = 40
Tarragona, Spain
VAM = 200
Bay City, TX
VAM   = 300
Clear Lake, TX
Acid   = 1,200
VAM   =   310
Cangrejera,
Mexico
Anhydride   =   90
Esters = 105
VAM = 115
Pardies, France
(announced closure)
Acid   = 440
VAM = 150
Nanjing, China
Acid   = 1,200
(expansion)
VAM   = 300
Anhydride = 100
►   Utilization of all
  global Celanese
  acetic acid and
  downstream sites to
  meet global customer
  needs
►   Ensure all Celanese
  sites have a leading
  cost structure
►   Strategy to remove
  high cost facilities
Roussillon, France
Anhydride = 30
Celanese well-positioned globally to meet changing demand landscape
Pampa, TX
(site closed)
Acid   = 290
Anhydride = 145
Esters = 60
Leading global footprint positioned to meet
customer demand
 
 
 
24
Company
Capacity
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
BP / Sinopec
550 kt
Sipchem
430 kt
Sopo (expansion)
600 kt
Wujing (expansion)
500 kt
Yangkuang Cathay
350 kt
Henan Shunda
200 kt
HC
Tianjin Bohei
200 kt
HC
Hualu Hensheng
200 kt
HC
Henan Yima
200 kt
Yunan Yunwei
200 kt
Kingboard
400 kt
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Company Announced Startup
Current Update
A
CE 2005 Update
SU = Actual plant startup
X
CE 2006 Update
HC = Highest Cost
X
CE 2007 Update
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
SU
X
SU
Viability of many higher cost projects is in question
1 Celanese internal analysis and opinion
?
A
SU
X
A
A
?
Timing in question
Timing in question
Forecast Capacity Expansions 1
Delays in project startups likely to continue
 
 
 
25
Majority of announced capacity additions challenged in today’s
pricing environment
1 Source: Celanese internal estimates, Tecnon 2008.   Based on nameplate capacity
Disadvantaged technology
Significant differentiation in technology of
announced expansions
 
 
 
26
Balance for “high return” productivity and capital efficient growth
Note: Not including Kelsterbach plant relocation
Maintain Plant
Other Growth
Nanjing
Productivity
Capital Spending by Category
Efficient use of cash
 
 
 
27