Celanese Corporation reported GAAP diluted earnings per share of $4.61 and adjusted earnings per share of $5.54 for the first quarter of 2022. The Company reported record quarterly net sales of $2.5 billion, a 12 percent increase over the previous record set in the fourth quarter of 2021. Net sales growth was driven by sequential volume and price expansion of 12 percent and 1 percent, respectively. Celanese successfully mitigated continued cost inflation as well as sourcing and logistics constraints to deliver first quarter consolidated operating profit of $531 million and adjusted EBIT of $713 million, both records. In February, the Company announced a definitive agreement to acquire a majority of the Mobility & Materials (M&M) business of DuPont for $11.0 billion, which will establish Celanese as the preeminent global specialty materials company and is expected to drive a doubling of annual free cash flow generation, inclusive of run-rate synergies.

 

"I thank our teams for delivering record adjusted earnings per share in the first quarter, exceeding our prior record by 10 percent, and for establishing tremendous momentum at the start of 2022," said Lori Ryerkerk, chairman and chief executive officer. "We are squarely focused on continuing this momentum in our business performance and preparing ourselves for the close of the M&M acquisition which will usher in the next phase of shareholder value creation at Celanese."

 

Engineered Materials generated record net sales of $910 million in the first quarter due to a sequential volume increase of 23 percent and price increase of 7 percent. Approximately one-third of the sequential volume increase was delivered by legacy products, excluding Santoprene, as the business produced to meet elevated demand led by automotive. With five consecutive quarters of pricing expansion, Engineered Materials maintained a full pass-through of total cost inflation spanning raw materials, energy, and logistics. First quarter GAAP operating profit of $124 million and adjusted EBIT of $211 million increased over the prior quarter by $57 million and $98 million, respectively. Affiliate earnings contributed an additional $19 million sequentially, due to strong performance of the KEPCO and Infraserv affiliates.

 

The Acetyl Chain generated record net sales of $1.5 billion in the first quarter due to an 8 percent sequential expansion in volume that offset a 3 percent decline in pricing. Sequential moderation in China acetic acid pricing was largely offset as the business shifted volume to the Western Hemisphere and captured higher pricing downstream in VAM, emulsions, redispersible powders (RDP), and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In the quarter, the Acetyl Chain manufacturing team successfully completed three major turnarounds at the Clear Lake facility in methanol, acetic acid, and VAM. The Acetyl Chain offset production impacts by flexing its global footprint and sourcing from the industry to deliver first quarter GAAP operating profit of $499 million and adjusted EBIT of $503 million at margins of 32 percent and 33 percent, respectively. Across the last four quarters the Acetyl Chain has delivered over $2 billion in GAAP operating profit and adjusted EBIT.

 

Acetate Tow generated net sales of $125 million during the first quarter, which reflected a sequential price increase of 3 percent and a volume decrease of 6 percent. First quarter GAAP operating profit of $4 million and adjusted EBIT of $40 million were consistent with business expectations. Dividends from affiliates in the quarter were $36 million, consistent with the prior quarter.

 

"Our team continues to demonstrate the capability of our Engineered Materials and Acetyl Chain business models to deliver robust performance despite persistent cost inflation and various external disruptions to our supply chain" said Lori Ryerkerk. "While we have successfully mitigated the vast majority of these disruptions, we are closely monitoring developing challenges including COVID-19 lockdowns across China and worsening reliability of global maritime logistics. As pricing in upstream products within the Acetyl Chain continues to moderate, we expect that strength in downstream Acetyl Chain products as well as continued robust performance in Engineered Materials will drive second quarter adjusted earnings of approximately $4.50 per share. With this strong start to the year, we now expect 2022 adjusted earnings per share to approach our 2021 adjusted earnings per share performance."