Celanese Corporation reported second quarter GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.93 and adjusted earnings per share of $1.30 on net sales of $1.2 billion. Net sales of second quarter last year was $1.6 billion. 

 

However the company exceeded expectations in mitigating the effects of COVID-19 and limited its impact on second quarter earnings to less than the previously forecasted range. These results were due to the resiliency of Acetyl Chain, the strength of Engineered Materials' commercial model and the continued stability in Acetate Tow. 

 

The company generated steady operating cash flow of $379 million and free cash flow of $283 million for the second quarter. The consistent strong cash generation, resulting from the focused efforts around productivity, fixed cost management and pricing discipline, continues to strengthen the Company's balance sheet and add capacity to pursue future growth. 

 

"The focus and dedication of our employees, despite the challenges of COVID-19, enabled the company to surpass our guidance for the quarter. The decisive actions taken by our global team to fully maximize the core strengths of the company has helped to offset the severe demand deterioration, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. Even in these difficult times, the resolve and commitment of our employees is a testament to the Celanese spirit of action and collaboration. We continue to be purposeful in the steps we are taking today to prepare us for recovery and growth in the future," said Lori Ryerkerk, chairman and chief executive officer.

 

 

Engineered Materials (EM)

Engineered Materials generated second quarter net sales of $420 million, reflecting stable pricing performance despite the sequential volume decline of 25 percent. The volume decline is largely attributed to the sequential global automotive demand decline of approximately 50 percent and significantly weaker demand across consumer appliances and industrial applications. Unlike previous economic downturns, this past quarter was marked by the impact of COVID-19 restrictions which effectively halted auto production for over two months across the vast majority of plants in the Western Hemisphere. The continued deferral of elective medical procedures in many locations due to COVID-19 resulted in medical volumes below our expectations in the quarter. The business was able to successfully maintain global pricing levels and slightly improve margins over raw materials costs. The EM business generated a GAAP operating loss of $13 million and adjusted EBIT of $40 million. GAAP operating loss and adjusted EBIT were impacted by approximately $40 million in incremental turnaround and inventory related costs, mainly associated with the completed turnaround at Bishop. The $27 million sequential decline of affiliate earnings was mainly attributed to the weaker performance of Ibn Sina amidst historically low oil prices.

 

Acetyl Chain

Acetyl Chain recorded net sales of $662 million in the second quarter, resulting from the sequential decline in pricing and volume of 11 percent and 6 percent, respectively. The continued deflationary environment for raw materials, including sharp declines in methanol and ethylene, added further pressure to the deterioration of industry pricing. Acetyl Chain generated GAAP operating profit of $121 million and adjusted EBIT of $116 million. The commercial actions taken by the team resulted in operating profit margin of 18.3 percent and adjusted EBIT margin of 17.5 percent which were higher margins than the prior quarter. Acetyl Chain continued to demonstrate its flexible, customer focused business model and purposefully flexed its product and regional optionality to drive operating profit margin improvement of 140 basis points. Based upon customer demand recovery in China, Acetyl Chain directed more sequential volume of VAM, emulsions and certain acid derivatives to China and utilized its low cost manufacturing footprint to service customers across a wide range of applications around the globe.

 

Acetate Tow

Acetate Tow reported GAAP operating profit of $31 million and adjusted EBIT of $64 million in the second quarter, with operating profit margin of 24.4 percent and adjusted EBIT margin of 50.4 percent. The business provides us with stable earnings as the underlying demand for tow products remains unaffected by the global pandemic. Dividends from affiliates were $32 million in the second quarter, lower sequentially due to the timing of dividend payments.

 

"We have started to see demand recovery with the early third quarter order book at improved levels compared to the second quarter. We anticipate a modest sequential improvement in earnings next quarter with Engineered Materials leading the way with expected solid recovery in the automotive end market. We expect to see relatively consistent results in the Acetyl Chain with a modest volume recovery offsetting incremental energy and turnaround costs." said the CEO on future outlook for the remaining year.