Exhibit 99.1
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Celanese
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1601 West LBJ Freeway
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P.O. Box 819005
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Dallas, TX, 75234, USA
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Celanese To Assess Realignment of
Acetyl Intermediates Production in France and Mexico
DALLAS,
January 21, 2009
Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE), a leading global chemical company,
today announced it is assessing the potential closure of acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer
(VAM) production in Pardies, France, and assessing the potential closure of VAM production in
Cangrejera, Mexico. The company believes the consideration of this potential capacity reduction is
necessitated by the significant change in the global economic environment and anticipated lower
customer demand.
The company will begin the assessment phase for a potential closure of its Pardies, France,
manufacturing facility. The Pardies facility is capable of producing 450,000 tons of acetic acid
and 150,000 tons of VAM annually.
Additionally, the company will begin the assessment phase for a potential closure of its VAM
production unit at its Cangrejera, Mexico, facility. This production unit has an annual production
capacity of 115,000 tons.
Should the assessment lead to the closure of these production facilities, the company expects to
meet customer obligations with production from its other facilities in Europe, North America and
Asia.
All potentially affected employees would be treated fairly and according to respective country laws
and practices.
We are evaluating, along with other possible actions, the best means to align production capacity
and worldwide staffing with anticipated prolonged lower demand. said David Weidman, chairman and
chief executive officer. The company is focused on meeting customer needs while maintaining our
global competitive leadership position in Acetyls.
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Contacts:
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Investor Relations
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Media North America
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Media Europe
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Mark Oberle
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Travis Jacobsen
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Jens Kurth
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Phone: +1 972 443 4464
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Phone: +1 972 443 3750
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Phone: +49 69 305 7137
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Mark.Oberle@celanese.com
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William.Jacobsen@celanese.com
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J.Kurth@celanese.com
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About Celanese
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 totalled $6.4 billion in 2007, with over 70% 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 8,400
employees worldwide. For more information on Celanese Corporation, please visit the companys
website at
www.celanese.com
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Forward-Looking Statements
This release may contain forward-looking statements, which include information concerning the
companys 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 companys control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed as
forward-looking statements. Certain of these risk factors are discussed in the companys 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.