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Celanese Corp - Quarter Report: 2015 June (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________________________________________
Form 10-Q
þ
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015
 
Or
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
(Commission File Number) 001-32410
CELANESE CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
98-0420726
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
222 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 900N
Irving, TX
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
75039-5421
(Zip Code)
(972) 443-4000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ  No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ  No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer þ
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No þ
The number of outstanding shares of the registrant's Series A common stock, $0.0001 par value, as of July 13, 2015 was 153,343,205.
 
 
 
 
 


Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Form 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Table of Contents


Item 1. Financial Statements 
CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In $ millions, except share and per share data)
Net sales
1,477

 
1,769

 
2,927

 
3,474

Cost of sales
(1,102
)
 
(1,361
)
 
(2,171
)
 
(2,688
)
Gross profit
375

 
408

 
756

 
786

Selling, general and administrative expenses
(106
)
 
(119
)
 
(204
)
 
(223
)
Amortization of intangible assets
(3
)
 
(5
)
 
(6
)
 
(11
)
Research and development expenses
(59
)
 
(24
)
 
(79
)
 
(46
)
Other (charges) gains, net
(10
)
 
2

 
(15
)
 
1

Foreign exchange gain (loss), net
(3
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net
(6
)
 
(2
)
 
(7
)
 
(3
)
Operating profit (loss)
188

 
259

 
445

 
502

Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
40

 
101

 
88

 
141

Interest expense
(30
)
 
(40
)
 
(57
)
 
(79
)
Interest income
1

 
2

 
1

 
2

Dividend income - cost investments
26

 
29

 
54

 
58

Other income (expense), net
2

 
1

 
2

 
1

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax
227

 
352

 
533

 
625

Income tax (provision) benefit
(24
)
 
(94
)
 
(96
)
 
(172
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
203

 
258

 
437

 
453

Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
 

Net earnings (loss)
201

 
258

 
435

 
453

Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
4

 
1

 
6

 
2

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation
205

 
259

 
441

 
455

Amounts attributable to Celanese Corporation
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
207

 
259

 
443

 
455

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
 

Net earnings (loss)
205

 
259

 
441

 
455

Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Continuing operations
1.35

 
1.66

 
2.89

 
2.91

Discontinued operations
(0.01
)
 

 
(0.01
)
 

Net earnings (loss) - basic
1.34

 
1.66

 
2.88

 
2.91

Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Continuing operations
1.34

 
1.66

 
2.87

 
2.91

Discontinued operations
(0.01
)
 

 
(0.01
)
 

Net earnings (loss) - diluted
1.33

 
1.66

 
2.86

 
2.91

Weighted average shares - basic
153,480,175

 
155,751,779

 
153,349,071

 
156,124,714

Weighted average shares - diluted
153,990,933

 
156,054,232

 
153,945,466

 
156,424,665


See the accompanying notes to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Net earnings (loss)
201

 
258

 
435

 
453

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax


 


 
 

 
 

Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 

Foreign currency translation
37

 
(22
)
 
(119
)
 
(17
)
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
1

 
(3
)
 
3

 
(6
)
Pension and postretirement benefits
4

 
(14
)
 
1

 
(26
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
41

 
(39
)
 
(116
)
 
(49
)
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
242

 
219

 
319

 
404

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
4

 
1

 
6

 
2

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation
246

 
220

 
325

 
406


See the accompanying notes to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions, except share data)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents (variable interest entity restricted - 2015: $1; 2014: $1)
988

 
780

Trade receivables - third party and affiliates (net of allowance for doubtful accounts - 2015: $6; 2014: $9)
873

 
801

Non-trade receivables, net
226

 
241

Inventories
762

 
782

Deferred income taxes
15

 
29

Marketable securities, at fair value
29

 
32

Other assets
30

 
33

Total current assets
2,923

 
2,698

Investments in affiliates
821

 
876

Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation - 2015: $1,930; 2014: $1,816; variable interest entity restricted - 2015: $716; 2014: $535)
3,771

 
3,733

Deferred income taxes
260

 
253

Other assets (variable interest entity restricted - 2015: $38; 2014: $24)
372

 
377

Goodwill
716

 
749

Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization - 2015: $533; 2014: $556)
125

 
132

Total assets
8,988

 
8,818

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 

 
 

Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates
123

 
137

Trade payables - third party and affiliates
736

 
757

Other liabilities
298

 
432

Deferred income taxes
6

 
7

Income taxes payable
105

 
5

Total current liabilities
1,268

 
1,338

Long-term debt
2,552

 
2,608

Deferred income taxes
127

 
141

Uncertain tax positions
164

 
159

Benefit obligations
1,130

 
1,211

Other liabilities
262

 
283

Commitments and Contingencies


 


Stockholders' Equity
 

 
 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized (2015 and 2014: 0 issued and outstanding)

 

Series A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized (2015: 166,619,120 issued and 153,343,231 outstanding; 2014: 166,169,335 issued and 152,902,710 outstanding)

 

Series B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized (2015 and 2014: 0 issued and outstanding)

 

Treasury stock, at cost (2015: 13,275,889 shares; 2014: 13,266,625 shares)
(611
)
 
(611
)
Additional paid-in capital
120

 
103

Retained earnings
3,848

 
3,491

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
(281
)
 
(165
)
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity
3,076

 
2,818

Noncontrolling interests
409

 
260

Total equity
3,485

 
3,078

Total liabilities and equity
8,988

 
8,818

See the accompanying notes to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY
 
Six Months Ended
June 30, 2015
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
(In $ millions, except share data)
Series A Common Stock
 
 
 
Balance as of the beginning of the period
152,902,710

 

Stock option exercises
70,117

 

Purchases of treasury stock
(9,264
)
 

Stock awards
379,668

 

Balance as of the end of the period
153,343,231

 

Treasury Stock
 

 
 

Balance as of the beginning of the period
13,266,625

 
(611
)
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees
9,264

 

Balance as of the end of the period
13,275,889

 
(611
)
Additional Paid-In Capital
 
 
 
Balance as of the beginning of the period
 
 
103

Stock-based compensation, net of tax
 
 
15

Stock option exercises, net of tax
 
 
2

Balance as of the end of the period
 
 
120

Retained Earnings
 
 
 
Balance as of the beginning of the period
 
 
3,491

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation
 
 
441

Series A common stock dividends
 
 
(84
)
Balance as of the end of the period
 
 
3,848

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
 
 
 
Balance as of the beginning of the period
 
 
(165
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
(116
)
Balance as of the end of the period
 
 
(281
)
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity
 
 
3,076

Noncontrolling Interests
 
 
 
Balance as of the beginning of the period
 
 
260

Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
 
(6
)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests
 
 
155

Balance as of the end of the period
 
 
409

Total equity
 
 
3,485


See the accompanying notes to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.



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Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Operating Activities
 
 
 
Net earnings (loss)
435

 
453

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
 
 
 
Asset impairments

 

Depreciation, amortization and accretion
175

 
151

Pension and postretirement net periodic benefit cost
(24
)
 
(55
)
Pension and postretirement contributions
(41
)
 
(62
)
Deferred income taxes, net
10

 
(9
)
(Gain) loss on disposition of businesses and assets, net
6

 
4

Stock-based compensation
25

 
17

Undistributed earnings in unconsolidated affiliates
29

 
(28
)
Other, net
6

 
6

Operating cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations
4

 
(1
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
 
 
Trade receivables - third party and affiliates, net
(92
)
 
(185
)
Inventories
(1
)
 
(15
)
Other assets
36

 
25

Trade payables - third party and affiliates
21

 
73

Other liabilities
(36
)
 
43

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
553

 
417

Investing Activities
 
 
 
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment
(117
)
 
(130
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(3
)
 

Proceeds from sale of businesses and assets, net

 

Capital expenditures related to Fairway Methanol LLC
(210
)
 
(143
)
Other, net
(24
)
 
(10
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(354
)
 
(283
)
Financing Activities
 

 
 

Net change in short-term borrowings with maturities of 3 months or less
(2
)
 
1

Proceeds from short-term borrowings
26

 
25

Repayments of short-term borrowings
(39
)
 
(43
)
Proceeds from long-term debt

 

Repayments of long-term debt
(12
)
 
(13
)
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees

 
(103
)
Stock option exercises
2

 
3

Series A common stock dividends
(84
)
 
(67
)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests
155

 
148

Other, net
(11
)
 
(1
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
35

 
(50
)
Exchange rate effects on cash and cash equivalents
(26
)
 
(4
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
208

 
80

Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period
780

 
984

Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period
988

 
1,064


See the accompanying notes to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Description of the Company and Basis of Presentation
Description of the Company
Celanese Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") is a global technology and specialty materials company. The Company's business involves processing chemical raw materials, such as methanol, carbon monoxide and ethylene, and natural products, including wood pulp, into value-added chemicals, thermoplastic polymers and other chemical-based products.
Definitions
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Quarterly Report"), the term "Celanese" refers to Celanese Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and not its subsidiaries. The term "Celanese US" refers to the Company's subsidiary, Celanese US Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and not its subsidiaries.
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 contained in this Quarterly Report were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP") for all periods presented and include the accounts of the Company, its majority owned subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control and, when applicable, variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and other financial information included in this Quarterly Report, unless otherwise specified, have been presented to separately show the effects of discontinued operations.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets and related unaudited interim consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows and equity include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items necessary for their fair presentation in conformity with US GAAP. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP may have been condensed or omitted in accordance with rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed on February 6, 2015 with the SEC as part of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.
In the ordinary course of business, the Company enters into contracts and agreements relative to a number of topics, including acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, supply agreements, product sales and other arrangements. The Company endeavors to describe those contracts or agreements that are material to its business, results of operations or financial position. The Company may also describe some arrangements that are not material but in which the Company believes investors may have an interest or which may have been included in a Form 8-K filing. Investors should not assume the Company has described all contracts and agreements relative to the Company's business in this Quarterly Report.
For those consolidated ventures in which the Company owns or is exposed to less than 100% of the economics, the outside stockholders' interests are shown as noncontrolling interests.
The Company has reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period's presentation.
Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales, expenses and allocated charges during the reporting period. Significant estimates pertain to impairments of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets, purchase price allocations, restructuring costs and other (charges) gains, net, income taxes, pension and other postretirement benefits, asset retirement obligations, environmental liabilities and loss contingencies, among others. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-07, Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent) ("ASU 2015-07"). ASU 2015-07 removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. This ASU also removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Rather, such disclosures are limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using that practical expedient. This ASU is effective retrospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the impact of adopting this ASU to be material to the Company's financial statements and related disclosures.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs ("ASU 2015-03"). ASU 2015-03 requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by ASU 2015-03. The amendments in this ASU are effective retrospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the impact of adopting this ASU to be material to the Company's financial statements and related disclosures.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASU 2014-09"). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements of FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the ASC, resulting in the creation of FASB ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU provides alternative methods of adoption. On July 9, 2015, the FASB voted to defer the effective date by one year to December 15, 2017 for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after that date and permitted early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting this ASU on its financial statements and related disclosures.
3. Ventures and Variable Interest Entities
Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
In February 2014, the Company formed a joint venture, Fairway Methanol LLC ("Fairway"), with Mitsui & Co., Ltd., of Tokyo, Japan ("Mitsui"), in which the Company owns 50% of Fairway, for the production of methanol at the Company's integrated chemical plant in Clear Lake, Texas. The planned methanol unit will utilize natural gas in the US Gulf Coast region as a feedstock and will benefit from the existing infrastructure at the Company's Clear Lake facility. Both Mitsui and the Company will supply their own natural gas to Fairway in exchange for methanol tolling under a cost-plus off-take arrangement. The planned methanol facility will have an annual capacity of 1.3 million tons.
The Company determined that Fairway is a variable interest entity ("VIE") in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Under the terms of the joint venture agreements, the Company provides site services and day-to-day operations for the methanol facility. In addition, the joint venture agreements provide that the Company indemnifies Mitsui for environmental obligations that exceed a specified threshold, as well as an equity option between the partners. Accordingly, the Company consolidates the venture and records a noncontrolling interest for the share of the venture owned by Mitsui. Fairway is included in the Company's Acetyl Intermediates segment.

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The carrying amount of the assets and liabilities associated with Fairway included in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Cash and cash equivalents
1

 
1

Property, plant and equipment
716

 
535

Other assets
38

 
24

Total assets(1)
755

 
560

 
 
 
 
Trade payables
2

 

Current liabilities(2)
24

 
40

Long-term debt
6

 

Total liabilities
32

 
40

______________________________
(1) 
Assets can only be used to settle the obligations of Fairway.
(2) 
Amounts owed by Fairway to the Company for reimbursement of expenditures.
Nonconsolidated Variable Interest Entities
The Company holds variable interests in entities that supply certain raw materials and services to the Company. The variable interests primarily relate to cost-plus contractual arrangements with the suppliers and recovery of capital expenditures for certain plant assets plus a rate of return on such assets. Liabilities for such supplier recoveries of capital expenditures have been recorded as capital lease obligations. The entities are not consolidated because the Company is not the primary beneficiary of the entities as it does not have the power to direct the activities of the entities that most significantly impact the entities' economic performance. The Company's maximum exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with these VIEs as of June 30, 2015 relates primarily to the recovery of capital expenditures for certain property, plant and equipment.
The carrying amount of the assets and liabilities associated with the obligations to nonconsolidated VIEs, as well as the maximum exposure to loss relating to these nonconsolidated VIEs are as follows:
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Property, plant and equipment, net
90

 
96
 
 
 
 
Trade payables
49

 
43
Current installments of long-term debt
9

 
9
Long-term debt
120

 
125
Total liabilities
178

 
177
 
 
 
 
Maximum exposure to loss
315

 
291
The difference between the total liabilities associated with obligations to unconsolidated VIEs and the maximum exposure to loss primarily represents take-or-pay obligations for services included in the Company's unconditional purchase obligations (Note 16).

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4. Marketable Securities, at Fair Value
The Company's nonqualified trusts hold available-for-sale securities for funding requirements of the Company's nonqualified pension plans (Note 9) as follows:
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Amortized cost
29

 
32

Gross unrealized gain

 

Gross unrealized loss

 

Fair value
29

 
32

See Note 15 - Fair Value Measurements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company's marketable securities.
5. Inventories
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Finished goods
559

 
579

Work-in-process
51

 
53

Raw materials and supplies
152

 
150

Total
762

 
782

6. Current Other Liabilities
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Asset retirement obligations
7

 
9

Benefit obligations (Note 9)
33

 
28

Customer rebates
33

 
53

Derivatives (Note 14)
5

 
13

Environmental (Note 10)
18

 
21

Insurance
9

 
9

Interest
15

 
19

Restructuring (Note 12)
15

 
21

Salaries and benefits
79

 
129

Sales and use tax/foreign withholding tax payable
16

 
13

Uncertain tax positions (Note 13)

 
59

Other
68

 
58

Total
298

 
432


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Table of Contents

7. Noncurrent Other Liabilities
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Asset retirement obligations
29

 
28

Deferred proceeds
43

 
47

Deferred revenue
18

 
21

Derivatives (Note 14)

 
10

Environmental (Note 10)
61

 
63

Income taxes payable
12

 
13

Insurance
52

 
51

Other
47

 
50

Total
262

 
283

8. Debt
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Short-Term Borrowings and Current Installments of Long-Term Debt - Third Party and Affiliates
 
 
 
Current installments of long-term debt
26

 
25

Short-term borrowings, including amounts due to affiliates(1)
67

 
77

Accounts receivable securitization facility(2)
30

 
35

Total
123

 
137

______________________________
(1) 
The weighted average interest rate was 4.5% and 4.7% as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(2) 
The weighted average interest rate was 0.7% as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Long-Term Debt
 
 
 
Senior credit facilities - Term C-2 loan due 2016
31

 
34

Senior credit facilities - Term C-3 loan due 2018
886

 
906

Senior unsecured notes due 2019, interest rate of 3.250%
336

 
364

Senior unsecured notes due 2021, interest rate of 5.875%
400

 
400

Senior unsecured notes due 2022, interest rate of 4.625%
500

 
500

Pollution control and industrial revenue bonds due at various dates through 2030, interest rates ranging from 5.7% to 6.7%
169

 
169

Obligations under capital leases due at various dates through 2054
256

 
260

Subtotal
2,578

 
2,633

Current installments of long-term debt
(26
)
 
(25
)
Total
2,552

 
2,608


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Table of Contents

Senior Notes
The Company has outstanding senior unsecured notes issued in public offerings registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as follows (collectively, the "Senior Notes"):
Senior Notes
 
Issue Date
 
Principal
 
Interest Rate
 
Interest Pay Dates
 
Maturity Date
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
(In percentages)
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.250% Notes
 
September 2014
 
€300
 
3.250
 
April 15
 
October 15
 
October 15, 2019
4.625% Notes
 
November 2012
 
$500
 
4.625
 
March 15
 
September 15
 
November 15, 2022
5.875% Notes
 
May 2011
 
$400
 
5.875
 
June 15
 
December 15
 
June 15, 2021
The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Celanese US and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsubordinated indebtedness of Celanese US. The Senior Notes were issued under indentures (collectively, "Indentures") among Celanese US, Celanese and each of the domestic subsidiaries of Celanese US that guarantee its obligations under its senior secured credit facilities ("Subsidiary Guarantors") and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Celanese and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Indentures contain covenants, including, but not limited to, restrictions on the Company's ability to incur indebtedness; grant liens on assets; merge, consolidate, or sell assets; pay dividends or make other restricted payments; engage in transactions with affiliates; or engage in other businesses. Celanese US may redeem some or all of each of the Senior Notes, prior to their respective maturity dates, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount, plus a "make-whole" premium as specified in the applicable indenture, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date.
Senior Credit Facilities
In September 2014, Celanese US, Celanese and the Subsidiary Guarantors entered into an amendment agreement with the lenders under Celanese US's existing senior secured credit facilities in order to amend and restate the amended credit agreement dated September 16, 2013 (as amended and restated by the 2014 amendment agreement, the "Amended Credit Agreement"). Under the Amended Credit Agreement, all of the US dollar-denominated Term C-2 term loans and all but €28 million of the Euro-denominated Term C-2 term loans under the 2013 amended credit agreement were converted into, or refinanced by, the Term C-3 loan facility with an extended maturity date of October 2018. The non-extended portions of the Term C-2 loan facility continue to have a maturity date of October 2016. In addition, the maturity date of the Company's revolving credit facility was extended to October 2018 and the facility was increased to $900 million. Accordingly, the Amended Credit Agreement consists of the Term C-2 loan facility, the Term C-3 loan facility and a $900 million revolving credit facility.
As of June 30, 2015, the margin for borrowings under the Term C-2 loan facility was 2.0% above the Euro Interbank Offered Rate ("EURIBOR") and the margin for borrowings under the Term C-3 loan facility was 2.25% above LIBOR (for US dollars) and 2.25% above EURIBOR (for Euros), as applicable. As of June 30, 2015, the margin for borrowings under the revolving credit facility was 1.5% above LIBOR. The margin for borrowings under the revolving credit facility is subject to increase or decrease in certain circumstances based on changes in the corporate credit ratings of Celanese or Celanese US.
Term loan borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement are subject to amortization at 1% of the initial principal amount per annum, payable quarterly. In addition, the Company pays quarterly commitment fees on the unused portions of the revolving credit facility of 0.25% per annum.
The Amended Credit Agreement is guaranteed by Celanese and certain domestic subsidiaries of Celanese US and is secured by a lien on substantially all assets of Celanese US and such guarantors, subject to certain agreed exceptions (including for certain real property and certain shares of foreign subsidiaries), pursuant to the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement dated April 2, 2007.
As a condition to borrowing funds or requesting letters of credit be issued under the revolving credit facility, the Company's first lien senior secured leverage ratio (as calculated as of the last day of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered under the revolving facility) cannot exceed the threshold as specified below. Further, the Company's first lien senior secured leverage ratio must be maintained at or below that threshold while any amounts are outstanding under the revolving credit facility.

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Table of Contents

The Company's amended first lien senior secured leverage ratios under the revolving credit facility are as follows:
As of June 30, 2015
Maximum
 
Estimate
 
Estimate, If Fully Drawn
3.90
 
0.61
 
1.18
The Amended Credit Agreement contains covenants including, but not limited to, restrictions on the Company's ability to incur indebtedness; grant liens on assets; merge, consolidate, or sell assets; pay dividends or make other restricted payments; make investments; prepay or modify certain indebtedness; engage in transactions with affiliates; enter into sale-leaseback transactions or hedge transactions; or engage in other businesses; as well as a covenant requiring maintenance of a maximum first lien senior secured leverage ratio.
The Amended Credit Agreement also maintains a number of events of default, including a cross default to other debt of Celanese, Celanese US, or their subsidiaries, including the Senior Notes, in an aggregate amount equal to more than $50 million and the occurrence of a change of control. Failure to comply with these covenants, or the occurrence of any other event of default, could result in acceleration of the borrowings and other financial obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement.
The Company is in compliance with all of the covenants related to its debt agreements as of June 30, 2015.
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility
In August 2013, the Company entered into a US accounts receivable securitization facility pursuant to (i) a Purchase and Sale Agreement ("Sale Agreement") among certain US subsidiaries of the Company (each an "Originator"), Celanese International Corporation ("CIC") and CE Receivables LLC, a wholly-owned, "bankruptcy remote" special purpose subsidiary of an Originator ("Transferor") and (ii) a Receivables Purchase Agreement ("Purchase Agreement"), among CIC, as servicer, the Transferor, various third-party purchasers (collectively, "Purchasers") and The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrator ("Administrator"). The Purchase Agreement expires in 2016, but may be extended for successive one year terms by agreement of the parties. All of the Transferor's assets have been pledged to the Administrator in support of its obligations under the Purchase Agreement.
The Company's balances available for borrowing are as follows:
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
 
(In $ millions)
 
Revolving Credit Facility
 
 
Borrowings outstanding

 
Letters of credit issued

 
Available for borrowing
900

 
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility
 
 
Borrowings outstanding
30

(1) 
Letters of credit issued
74

 
Available for borrowing
16

 
Total borrowing base
120

 
 
 
 
Maximum borrowing base
135

(2) 
______________________________
(1) 
The Company repaid $15 million of borrowings outstanding during the six months ended June 30, 2015.
(2) 
Outstanding accounts receivable transferred by the Originators to the Transferor was $173 million.


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Table of Contents

9. Benefit Obligations
The components of net periodic benefit cost are as follows:
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Post-retirement
Benefits
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Post-retirement
Benefits
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Post-retirement
Benefits
 
Pension
Benefits
 
Post-retirement
Benefits
 
 
(In $ millions)
 
(In $ millions)
 
Service cost
3

 
1

 
3

 
1

 
6

 
1

 
6

 
1

 
Interest cost
36

 

 
43

 

 
71

 
1

 
85

 
2

 
Expected return on plan assets
(53
)
 

 
(54
)
 

 
(105
)
 

 
(108
)
 

 
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss

 
1

 

 

 

 
1

 

 

 
Amortization of prior service cost (credit), net

 

 

 
(22
)
(1) 

 

 

 
(41
)
(1) 
Special termination benefit

 

 

 

 
1

 

 

 

 
Total
(14
)
 
2

 
(8
)
 
(21
)
 
(27
)
 
3

 
(17
)
 
(38
)
 
______________________________
(1) 
Primarily related to the elimination of eligibility for all current and future US employees to participate in the Company's US postretirement health care plan.
Benefit obligation funding is as follows:
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
Total
Expected
2015
 
(In $ millions)
Cash contributions to defined benefit pension plans
27

 
28

Benefit payments to nonqualified pension plans
11

 
22

Benefit payments to other postretirement benefit plans
3

 
17

Cash contributions to German multiemployer defined benefit pension plans(1)
3

 
6

______________________________
(1) 
The Company makes contributions based on specified percentages of employee contributions.
The Company's estimates of its US defined benefit pension plan contributions reflect the provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006.
10. Environmental
The Company is subject to environmental laws and regulations worldwide that impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the air and water and establish standards for the treatment, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. The Company believes that it is in substantial compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. The Company is also subject to retained environmental obligations specified in various contractual agreements arising from the divestiture of certain businesses by the Company or one of its predecessor companies.

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Table of Contents

The components of environmental remediation reserves are as follows:
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Demerger obligations (Note 16)
24

 
25

Divestiture obligations (Note 16)
19

 
21

Active sites
20

 
23

US Superfund sites
14

 
12

Other environmental remediation reserves
2

 
3

Total
79

 
84

Remediation
Due to its industrial history and through retained contractual and legal obligations, the Company has the obligation to remediate specific areas on its own sites as well as on divested, demerger, orphan or US Superfund sites (as defined below). In addition, as part of the demerger agreement between the Company and Hoechst AG ("Hoechst"), a specified portion of the responsibility for environmental liabilities from a number of Hoechst divestitures was transferred to the Company (Note 16). The Company provides for such obligations when the event of loss is probable and reasonably estimable. The Company believes that environmental remediation costs will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the Company, but may have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or cash flows in any given period.
US Superfund Sites
In the US, the Company may be subject to substantial claims brought by US federal or state regulatory agencies or private individuals pursuant to statutory authority or common law. In particular, the Company has a potential liability under the US Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, and related state laws (collectively referred to as "Superfund") for investigation and cleanup costs at certain sites. At most of these sites, numerous companies, including the Company, or one of its predecessor companies, have been notified that the US Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"), state governing bodies or private individuals consider such companies to be potentially responsible parties ("PRP") under Superfund or related laws. The proceedings relating to these sites are in various stages. The cleanup process has not been completed at most sites, and the status of the insurance coverage for some of these proceedings is uncertain. Consequently, the Company cannot accurately determine its ultimate liability for investigation or cleanup costs at these sites.
As events progress at each site for which it has been named a PRP, the Company accrues, as appropriate, a liability for site cleanup. Such liabilities include all costs that are probable and can be reasonably estimated. In establishing these liabilities, the Company considers its shipment of waste to a site, its percentage of total waste shipped to the site, the types of wastes involved, the conclusions of any studies, the magnitude of any remedial actions that may be necessary and the number and viability of other PRPs. Often the Company joins with other PRPs to sign joint defense agreements that settle, among PRPs, each party's percentage allocation of costs at the site. Although the ultimate liability may differ from the estimate, the Company routinely reviews the liabilities and revises the estimate, as appropriate, based on the most current information available.
One such site is the Lower Passaic River Study Area. The Company and 70 other companies are parties to a May 2007 Administrative Order on Consent with the EPA to perform a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study ("RI/FS") in the lower 17-mile stretch of the Passaic River in order to identify the levels of contaminants and potential cleanup actions. The parties are still working on the RI/FS with a goal to complete it in 2015. On April 11, 2014, the EPA issued its proposed evaluation of remediation alternatives for the lower 8-mile stretch of the Passaic River. Cost estimates for the various alternatives of the Passaic River range from $365 million to $3.2 billion. The EPA's preferred plan for the lower 8-mile stretch of the Passaic River would involve dredging bank to bank and installing an engineered cap at an estimated cost of $1.7 billion.
The parties involved have submitted comments to the EPA challenging the science, scope, necessity and viability of the EPA's proposed plan as the EPA's preferred remedy for the lower 8-mile stretch is inconsistent with the remedy being developed in the RI/FS for the full 17-mile stretch of the river. The EPA will evaluate all the inputs and is expected to issue a final decision concerning the lower 8-mile stretch of the river in 2015. Any subsequent order from the EPA requiring clean-up actions could be judicially challenged.

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Table of Contents

While the final remedy remains uncertain, the Company has found no evidence that it contributed any of the primary contaminants of concern to the Passaic River. The Company is vigorously defending this matter and currently believes that its ultimate allocable share of the cleanup costs, estimated at substantially less than 1%, will not be material.
11. Stockholders' Equity
Common Stock
The Company's Board of Directors follows a policy of declaring, subject to legally available funds, a quarterly cash dividend on each share of the Company's Series A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share ("Common Stock"), unless the Company's Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, determines otherwise. The amount available to pay cash dividends is restricted by the Company's Amended Credit Agreement and the Indentures.
The Company's Board of Directors approved increases in the Company's Common Stock cash dividend rates as follows:
 
Increase
 
Quarterly Common
Stock Cash Dividend
 
Annual Common
Stock Cash Dividend
 
Effective Date
 
(In percentages)
 
(In $ per share)
 
 
April 2014
39
 
0.25
 
1.00
 
May 2014
April 2015
20
 
0.30
 
1.20
 
May 2015
Treasury Stock
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
Total From
February 2008
Through
June 30, 2015
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Shares repurchased

(1) 
1,870,297

 
20,667,195

(2) 
Average purchase price per share
$

 
$
55.13

 
$
44.27

 
Cash paid for repurchased shares (in millions)
$

 
$
103

 
$
915

 
Aggregate Board of Directors repurchase authorizations (in millions)(3)
$

 
$
172

 
$
1,366

 
______________________________
(1) 
Excludes 9,264 shares withheld from an executive officer to cover statutory minimum withholding requirements for personal income taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock. Restricted stock awards are considered outstanding at the time of issuance. Accordingly, the shares withheld are treated as treasury shares.
(2) 
Excludes 21,108 shares withheld from an executive officer to cover statutory minimum withholding requirements for personal income taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock. Restricted stock awards are considered outstanding at the time of issuance. Accordingly, the shares withheld are treated as treasury shares.
(3) 
These authorizations give management discretion in determining the timing and conditions under which shares may be repurchased. This repurchase program began in February 2008 and does not have an expiration date.
The purchase of treasury stock reduces the number of shares outstanding. The repurchased shares may be used by the Company for compensation programs utilizing the Company's stock and other corporate purposes. The Company accounts for treasury stock using the cost method and includes treasury stock as a component of stockholders' equity.

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Table of Contents

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Gross
Amount
 
Income
Tax
(Provision)
Benefit
 
Net
Amount
 
Gross
Amount
 
Income
Tax
(Provision)
Benefit
 
Net
Amount
 
(In $ millions)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities


(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 

Foreign currency translation
33

 
4

 
37

 
(12
)
 
(10
)
 
(22
)
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
1



 
1

 
(3
)


 
(3
)
Pension and postretirement benefits

 
4

 
4

 
(22
)

8

 
(14
)
Total
34

 
7

 
41

 
(37
)
 
(2
)
 
(39
)
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Gross
Amount
 
Income
Tax
(Provision)
Benefit
 
Net
Amount
 
Gross
Amount
 
Income
Tax
(Provision)
Benefit
 
Net
Amount
 
(In $ millions)
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 

Foreign currency translation
(117
)
 
(2
)
 
(119
)
 
(15
)
 
(2
)
 
(17
)
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
4

 
(1
)
 
3

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(6
)
Pension and postretirement benefits

 
1

 
1

 
(41
)
 
15

 
(26
)
Total
(113
)
 
(3
)
 
(116
)
 
(59
)
 
10

 
(49
)
Adjustments to Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net, are as follows:
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on
Marketable
Securities
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
 
Gain (Loss)
on Cash
Flow
Hedges
 
Pension
and
Postretire-
ment
Benefits
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
(Loss), Net
 
(In $ millions)
As of December 31, 2014
1

 
(151
)
 
(4
)
 
(11
)
 
(165
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 
(117
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(118
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 
5




5

Income tax (provision) benefit
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
1

 
(3
)
As of June 30, 2015

 
(270
)
 
(1
)
 
(10
)
 
(281
)
12. Other (Charges) Gains, Net
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Employee termination benefits
(10
)
 
(1
)
 
(14
)
 
(3
)
Plant/office closures

 

 

 
1

Commercial disputes

 

 
(1
)
 

Other

 
3

 

 
3

Total
(10
)
 
2

 
(15
)
 
1


18


Table of Contents

2015
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded $10 million and $14 million, respectively, of employee termination benefits related to the Company's ongoing efforts to align its businesses around its core value drivers.
During the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company also recorded $39 million in accelerated depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment no longer in use at the Company's ethanol technology development unit in Clear Lake, Texas. The Company believes that further development of its ethanol technology can be achieved through the utilization of other existing assets. The accelerated depreciation is included in Research and development expenses in the unaudited interim consolidated statements of operations and is included in the Company's Acetyl Intermediates segment.
2014
During the three months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded a $3 million adjustment to its initial estimate for asset retirement obligations related to the closure of its acetic anhydride facility in Roussillon, France and its vinyl acetate monomer ("VAM") facility in Tarragona, Spain. The Roussillon, France acetic anhydride operations and the Tarragona, Spain VAM operations are included in the Company's Acetyl Intermediates segment.
During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded $2 million of employee termination benefits related to the closure of its acetic anhydride facility in Roussillon, France and its VAM facility in Tarragona, Spain and $1 million of employee termination benefits related to a business optimization project included in the Company's Advanced Engineered Materials segment.
The changes in the restructuring reserves by business segment are as follows:
 
Advanced
Engineered
Materials
 
Consumer
Specialties
 
Industrial
Specialties
 
Acetyl
Intermediates
 
Other
 
Total
 
(In $ millions)
Employee Termination Benefits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2014
4

 
1

 
1

 
5

 
3

 
14

Additions
4

 
1

 
2

 
1

 
6

 
14

Cash payments
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 

 
(6
)
Other changes
(3
)
 

 

 

 
(3
)
 
(6
)
Exchange rate changes
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
As of June 30, 2015
3

 
1

 
2

 
2

 
6

 
14

Plant/Office Closures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2014

 

 

 
7

 

 
7

Additions

 

 

 

 

 

Cash payments

 

 

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Other changes

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange rate changes

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
As of June 30, 2015

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Total
3

 
1

 
2

 
3

 
6

 
15


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Table of Contents

13. Income Taxes
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In percentages)
Effective income tax rate
11
 
27
 
18
 
28
The lower effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 is primarily attributable to a $30 million reduction of prior year tax positions due to audit closures and technical judicial clarifications. The rate was also impacted by changes in jurisdictional earnings, a portion of which related to the implementation of the Company's centralized European operating company.
In February 2015, the Company established a centralized European operating company for the purpose of improving the operational efficiencies and profitability of its European operations and certain global product lines. These activities will directly impact the Company's mix of earnings and product flows and will result in both favorable and unfavorable tax rate impacts in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company's uncertain tax positions decreased $73 million, primarily due to a $59 million decrease in uncertain tax positions resulting from reductions for audit closures and technical judicial clarifications (Note 6) and exchange rate fluctuations of $14 million, partially offset by interest and other changes in uncertain tax positions.
The Company's US tax returns for the years 2009 through 2012 are currently under audit by the US Internal Revenue Service and certain of the Company's subsidiaries are under audit in jurisdictions outside of the US. The Company does not expect any material changes in the unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months related to the settlement of one or more of these audits or lapse of applicable statutes of limitations.
14. Derivative Financial Instruments
Interest Rate Swaps
The Company fixes the LIBOR portion of its US dollar denominated variable rate borrowings (Note 8) with interest rate swap derivative arrangements as follows:
As of June 30, 2015
Notional Value
 
Effective Date
 
Expiration Date
 
Fixed Rate
(In $ millions)
 
 
 
 
 
(In percentages)
500
 
January 2, 2014
 
January 2, 2016
 
0.94
As of December 31, 2014
Notional Value
 
Effective Date
 
Expiration Date
 
Fixed Rate
(In $ millions)
 
 
 
 
 
(In percentages)
500
 
January 2, 2014
 
January 2, 2016
 
1.02
Foreign Currency Forwards and Swaps
Gross notional values of the foreign currency forwards and swaps are as follows:
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Total
609

 
1,336


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Table of Contents

Cross-currency Swaps
On March 31, 2015, the Company settled its cross-currency swap agreements with notional values of $250 million/€193 million, expiring September 11, 2020, and $225 million/€162 million, expiring April 17, 2019, in exchange for cash of $88 million. The Company recorded a net loss of $1 million, which is included in Other income (expense), net in the unaudited interim consolidated statement of operations. The Company classifies cash flows from derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges in the same category of the consolidated statement of cash flows as the cash flows from the items being hedged. Accordingly, the settlement of the cross-currency swap agreements is included in Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities in the unaudited interim consolidated statement of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2015.
Information regarding changes in the fair value of the Company's derivative and non-derivative instruments is as follows:
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings (Loss)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Statement of Operations Classification
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In $ millions)
 
 
Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps

 
(1
)
 

 
(2
)

Interest expense
Cross-currency swaps

 
(4
)
 

 
3

 
Other income (expense), net; Interest expense
Total

 
(5
)
 

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Designated as Net Investment Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.250% Notes
(13
)
 

 

 

 
Foreign currency translation
Term C-2 and Term C-3 loans
(8
)
 

 

 

 
Foreign currency translation
Total
(21
)
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Not Designated as Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps

 

 
(1
)
 

 
Interest expense
Foreign currency forwards and swaps

 

 

 
(3
)

Foreign exchange gain (loss), net; Other income (expense), net
Total

 

 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
 

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Table of Contents

 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Earnings (Loss)
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Statement of Operations Classification
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In $ millions)
 
 
Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps

 
(1
)
 

 
(2
)
 
Interest expense
Cross-currency swaps

 
(4
)
 
46

 
3

 
Other income (expense), net; Interest expense
Total

 
(5
)
 
46

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Designated as Net Investment Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.250% Notes
28

 

 

 

 
Foreign currency translation
Term C-2 and Term C-3 loans(1)

 

 

 

 
Foreign currency translation
Total
28

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Not Designated as Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps

 

 
(1
)
 

 
Interest expense
Foreign currency forwards and swaps

 

 
(68
)
 
(5
)
 
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net; Other income (expense), net
Total

 

 
(69
)
 
(5
)
 
 
______________________________
(1) 
During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company designated the Euro-based principal amount of its Term C-2 loan and its Term C-3 loan as a net investment hedge of its investment in a wholly-owned international subsidiary whose functional currency is the Euro to mitigate the volatility caused by the changes in foreign currency exchange rates of the Euro with respect to the US dollar.
See Note 15 - Fair Value Measurements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company's derivative instruments.
Certain of the Company's foreign currency forwards and swaps and interest rate swaps permit the Company to net settle all contracts with the counterparty through a single payment in an agreed upon currency in the event of default or early termination of the contract, similar to a master netting arrangement. The Company's interest rate swap agreements are subject to cross collateralization under the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement entered into in conjunction with the Term loan borrowings (Note 8).
Information regarding the gross amounts of the Company's derivative instruments and the amounts offset in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets is as follows:
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Derivative Assets
 
 
 
Gross amount recognized
3

 
55

Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheets

 

Net amount presented in the consolidated balance sheets
3

 
55

Gross amount not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
1

 
4

Net amount
2

 
51


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Table of Contents

 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(In $ millions)
Derivative Liabilities
 
 
 
Gross amount recognized
5

 
23

Gross amount offset in the consolidated balance sheets

 

Net amount presented in the consolidated balance sheets
5

 
23

Gross amount not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
1

 
4

Net amount
4

 
19

15. Fair Value Measurements
The Company's financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as follows:
Marketable Securities. Where possible, the Company utilizes quoted prices in active markets to measure available-for-sale equity securities, including mutual funds. Such items are classified as Level 1 in the fair value measurement hierarchy. Mutual funds are valued at the net asset value per share or unit multiplied by the number of shares or units held as of the measurement date.
Derivatives. Derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps and foreign currency forwards and swaps, are valued in the market using discounted cash flow techniques. These techniques incorporate Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurement inputs such as interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. These market inputs are utilized in the discounted cash flow calculation considering the instrument's term, notional amount, discount rate and credit risk. Significant inputs to the derivative valuation for interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps and foreign currency forwards and swaps are observable in the active markets and are classified as Level 2 in the fair value measurement hierarchy.

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Table of Contents

 
Fair Value Measurement
 
 
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Total
 
Balance Sheet Classification
 
(In $ millions)
 
 
As of June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
29

 

 
29

 
Marketable securities, at fair value
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
 
 
 
 


 
 
Foreign currency forwards and swaps

 
3

 
3

 
Current Other assets
Total assets
29

 
3

 
32

 
 
Designated as Net Investment Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.250% Notes(1)

 

 

 
Long-term Debt
Term C-2 and Term C-3 loans(1)

 

 

 
Long-term Debt
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
Current Other liabilities
Foreign currency forwards and swaps

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
Current Other liabilities
Total liabilities

 
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
32

 

 
32

 
Marketable securities, at fair value
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cross-currency swaps

 
9

 
9

 
Current Other assets
Cross-currency swaps

 
43

 
43

 
Noncurrent Other assets
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forwards and swaps

 
3

 
3

 
Current Other assets
Total assets
32

 
55

 
87

 
 
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cross-currency swaps

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
Current Other liabilities
Cross-currency swaps

 
(10
)
 
(10
)
 
Noncurrent Other liabilities
Designated as a Net Investment Hedge
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.250% Notes(1)

 

 

 
Long-term Debt
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps

 
(4
)
 
(4
)
 
Current Other liabilities
Foreign currency forwards and swaps

 
(7
)
 
(7
)
 
Current Other liabilities
Total liabilities

 
(23
)
 
(23
)
 
 
______________________________
(1) 
Included in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets at carrying amount.

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Table of Contents

Carrying values and fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value are as follows:
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Significant Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
(In $ millions)
As of June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost investments
147

 

 

 

Insurance contracts in nonqualified trusts
52

 
52

 

 
52

Long-term debt, including current installments of long-term debt
2,578

 
2,364

 
256

 
2,620

As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost investments
145

 

 

 

Insurance contracts in nonqualified trusts
56

 
56

 

 
56

Long-term debt, including current installments of long-term debt
2,633

 
2,398

 
260

 
2,658

In general, the cost investments included in the table above are not publicly traded and their fair values are not readily determinable; however, the Company believes the carrying values approximate or are less than the fair values. Insurance contracts in nonqualified trusts consist of long-term fixed income securities, which are valued using independent vendor pricing models with observable inputs in the active market and therefore represent a Level 2 fair value measurement. The fair value of long-term debt is based on valuations from third-party banks and market quotations and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value measurement hierarchy. The fair value of obligations under capital leases, which are included in long-term debt, is based on lease payments and discount rates, which are not observable in the market and therefore represents a Level 3 fair value measurement.
As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, trade payables, short-term borrowings and the current installments of long-term debt approximate carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. These items have been excluded from the table with the exception of the current installments of long-term debt.
16. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is involved in legal and regulatory proceedings, lawsuits, claims and investigations incidental to the normal conduct of business, relating to such matters as product liability, land disputes, commercial contracts, employment, antitrust, intellectual property, workers' compensation, chemical exposure, asbestos exposure, trade compliance, prior acquisitions and divestitures, claims of legacy stockholders, past waste disposal practices and release of chemicals into the environment. The Company is actively defending those matters where the Company is named as a defendant. Due to the inherent subjectivity of assessments and unpredictability of outcomes of legal proceedings, the Company's litigation accruals and estimates of possible loss or range of possible loss ("Possible Loss") may not represent the ultimate loss to the Company from legal proceedings.
Guarantees
The Company has agreed to guarantee or indemnify third parties for environmental and other liabilities pursuant to a variety of agreements, including asset and business divestiture agreements, leases, settlement agreements and various agreements with affiliated companies. Although many of these obligations contain monetary and/or time limitations, others do not provide such limitations.
As indemnification obligations often depend on the occurrence of unpredictable future events, the future costs associated with them cannot be determined at this time.
The Company has accrued for all probable and reasonably estimable losses associated with all known matters or claims that have been brought to its attention. These known obligations include the following:

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Table of Contents

Demerger Obligations
In connection with the Hoechst demerger, the Company agreed to indemnify Hoechst, and its legal successors, for various liabilities under the demerger agreement, including for environmental liabilities associated with contamination arising either from environmental damage in general ("Category A") or under 19 divestiture agreements entered into by Hoechst prior to the demerger ("Category B") (Note 10).
The Company's obligation to indemnify Hoechst, and its legal successors, is capped under Category B at €250 million. If and to the extent the environmental damage should exceed €750 million in aggregate, the Company's obligation to indemnify Hoechst and its legal successors applies, but is then limited to 33.33% of the remediation cost without further limitations. Cumulative payments under the divestiture agreements as of June 30, 2015 are $69 million. Most of the divestiture agreements have become time barred and/or any notified environmental damage claims have been partially settled.
The Company has also undertaken in the demerger agreement to indemnify Hoechst and its legal successors for (i) 33.33% of any and all Category A liabilities that result from Hoechst being held as the responsible party pursuant to public law or current or future environmental law or by third parties pursuant to private or public law related to contamination and (ii) liabilities that Hoechst is required to discharge, including tax liabilities, which are associated with businesses that were included in the demerger but were not demerged due to legal restrictions on the transfers of such items. These indemnities do not provide for any monetary or time limitations. The Company has not been requested by Hoechst to make any payments in connection with this indemnification. Accordingly, the Company has not made any payments to Hoechst and its legal successors.
Based on the Company's evaluation of currently available information, including the lack of requests for indemnification, the Company cannot estimate the Possible Loss for the remaining demerger obligations, if any, in excess of amounts accrued.
Divestiture Obligations
The Company and its predecessor companies agreed to indemnify third-party purchasers of former businesses and assets for various pre-closing conditions, as well as for breaches of representations, warranties and covenants. Such liabilities also include environmental liability, product liability, antitrust and other liabilities. These indemnifications and guarantees represent standard contractual terms associated with typical divestiture agreements and, other than environmental liabilities, the Company does not believe that they expose the Company to any significant risk (Note 10).
The Company has divested numerous businesses, investments and facilities through agreements containing indemnifications or guarantees to the purchasers. Many of the obligations contain monetary and/or time limitations, which extend through 2037. The aggregate amount of outstanding indemnifications and guarantees provided for under these agreements is $209 million as of June 30, 2015. Other agreements do not provide for any monetary or time limitations.
Based on the Company's evaluation of currently available information, including the number of requests for indemnification or other payment received by the Company, the Company cannot estimate the Possible Loss for the remaining divestiture obligations, if any, in excess of amounts accrued.
Purchase Obligations
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various purchase commitments for goods and services. The Company maintains a number of "take-or-pay" contracts for purchases of raw materials, utilities and other services. Certain of the contracts contain a contract termination buy-out provision that allows for the Company to exit the contracts for amounts less than the remaining take-or-pay obligations. The Company does not expect to incur any material losses under take-or-pay contractual arrangements. Additionally, the Company has other outstanding commitments representing maintenance and service agreements, energy and utility agreements, consulting contracts and software agreements. As of June 30, 2015, the Company had unconditional purchase obligations of $2.9 billion, which extend through 2036.

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Table of Contents

17. Segment Information
 
Advanced
Engineered
Materials
 
Consumer
Specialties
 
Industrial
Specialties
 
Acetyl
Intermediates
 
Other
Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(In $ millions)
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Net sales
346

 
249


287

 
707

(1) 

 
(112
)
 
1,477

 
Other (charges) gains, net (Note 12)
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(4
)
 

 
(10
)
 
Operating profit (loss)
67

 
77

 
28

 
54

 
(38
)
 

 
188

 
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
31

 
1

 

 
1

 
7

 

 
40

 
Depreciation and amortization
24

 
12

 
9

 
57

(3) 
3

 

 
105

 
Capital expenditures
16

 
11

 
13

 
112

 
1

 

 
153

(2) 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Net sales
389

 
289


333

 
901

(1) 

 
(143
)
 
1,769

 
Other (charges) gains, net (Note 12)
(1
)
 

 

 
2

 
1

 

 
2

 
Operating profit (loss)
56

 
80

 
24

 
142

 
(43
)
 

 
259

 
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
45

 
7

 

 
14

 
35

 

 
101

 
Depreciation and amortization
27

 
10

 
12

 
19

 
4

 

 
72

 
Capital expenditures
11

 
22

 
6

 
90

 
2

 

 
131

(2) 
______________________________
(1) 
Net sales for Acetyl Intermediates includes intersegment sales of $112 million and $143 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(2) 
Includes a decrease in accrued capital expenditures of $12 million and an increase of $6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(3) 
See Note 12 - Other (Charges) Gains, Net for further information.

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Table of Contents


 
Advanced
Engineered
Materials
 
Consumer
Specialties
 
Industrial
Specialties
 
Acetyl
Intermediates
 
Other
Activities
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
(In $ millions)
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Net sales
689

 
476

 
569

 
1,420

(1) 

 
(227
)
 
2,927

 
Other (charges) gains, net (Note 12)
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(6
)
 

 
(15
)
 
Operating profit (loss)
126

 
139

 
57

 
185

 
(62
)
 

 
445

 
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
74

 
1



 
2

 
11

 

 
88

 
Depreciation and amortization
49

 
23

 
19

 
76

(3) 
5

 

 
172

 
Capital expenditures
33

 
37


19

 
208


2

 

 
299

(2) 
 
As of June 30, 2015
 
Goodwill and intangible assets, net
344

 
253

 
51

 
193

 

 

 
841

 
Total assets
2,443

 
1,485

 
832

 
2,594

 
1,634

 

 
8,988

 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Net sales
762

 
591

 
645

 
1,742

(1) 

 
(266
)
 
3,474

 
Other (charges) gains, net (Note 12)
(1
)
 

 

 
2

 

 

 
1

 
Operating profit (loss)
113

 
179

 
44

 
239

 
(73
)
 

 
502

 
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
78

 
8

 

 
15

 
40

 

 
141

 
Depreciation and amortization
53

 
21

 
26

 
40

 
7

 

 
147

 
Capital expenditures
20

 
50


10

 
166


3

 

 
249

(2) 
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
Goodwill and intangible assets, net
358

 
261

 
54

 
208

 

 

 
881

 
Total assets
2,484

 
1,491

 
823

 
2,495

 
1,525

 

 
8,818

 
______________________________
(1) 
Net sales for Acetyl Intermediates includes intersegment sales of $227 million and $266 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(2) 
Includes a decrease in accrued capital expenditures of $28 million and $24 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(3) 
See Note 12 - Other (Charges) Gains, Net for further information.

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Table of Contents

18. Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In $ millions, except share data)
Amounts attributable to Celanese Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
207

 
259

 
443

 
455

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
 

Net earnings (loss)
205

 
259

 
441

 
455

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average shares - basic
153,480,175

 
155,751,779

 
153,349,071

 
156,124,714

Incremental shares attributable to equity awards
510,758

 
302,453

 
596,395

 
299,951

Weighted average shares - diluted
153,990,933

 
156,054,232

 
153,945,466

 
156,424,665

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, 0 and 644 equity award shares, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted net earnings per share as their effect would have been antidilutive. During the same periods in 2014, there were no anti-dilutive equity awards excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share.
19. Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information
The Senior Notes were issued by Celanese US ("Issuer") and are guaranteed by Celanese Corporation ("Parent Guarantor") and the Subsidiary Guarantors (Note 8). The Issuer and Subsidiary Guarantors are 100% owned subsidiaries of the Parent Guarantor. The Parent Guarantor and Subsidiary Guarantors have guaranteed the Notes fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally.
For cash management purposes, the Company transfers cash between the Parent Guarantor, Issuer, Subsidiary Guarantors and non-guarantors through intercompany financing arrangements, contributions or declaration of dividends between the respective parent and its subsidiaries. The transfer of cash under these activities facilitates the ability of the recipient to make specified third-party payments for principal and interest on the Company's outstanding debt, Common Stock dividends and Common Stock repurchases. The unaudited interim consolidating statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 present such intercompany financing activities, contributions and dividends consistent with how such activity would be presented in a stand-alone statement of cash flows.
The Company has not presented separate financial information and other disclosures for each of its Subsidiary Guarantors because it believes such financial information and other disclosures would not provide investors with any additional information that would be material in evaluating the sufficiency of the guarantees.

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Table of Contents

The unaudited interim consolidating financial statements for the Parent Guarantor, the Issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the non-guarantors are as follows:
CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Parent
Guarantor
 
Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(In $ millions)
Net sales

 

 
674

 
1,174

 
(371
)
 
1,477

Cost of sales

 

 
(474
)
 
(1,011
)
 
383

 
(1,102
)
Gross profit

 

 
200

 
163

 
12

 
375

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 
(29
)
 
(77
)
 

 
(106
)
Amortization of intangible assets

 

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(3
)
Research and development expenses

 

 
(49
)
 
(10
)
 

 
(59
)
Other (charges) gains, net

 

 

 
(10
)
 

 
(10
)
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net

 

 

 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net

 

 
(1
)
 
(5
)
 

 
(6
)
Operating profit (loss)

 

 
119

 
57

 
12

 
188

Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
206

 
244

 
114

 
35

 
(559
)
 
40

Interest expense

 
(41
)
 
(8
)
 
(8
)
 
27

 
(30
)
Interest income

 
5

 
20

 
3

 
(27
)
 
1

Dividend income - cost investments

 

 

 
26

 

 
26

Other income (expense), net

 

 
1

 
1

 

 
2

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax
206

 
208

 
246

 
114

 
(547
)
 
227

Income tax (provision) benefit
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(29
)
 
9

 
(1
)
 
(24
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
205

 
206

 
217

 
123

 
(548
)
 
203

Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations

 

 
(3
)
 

 

 
(3
)
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 
(2
)
 

 

 
(2
)
Net earnings (loss)
205

 
206

 
215

 
123

 
(548
)
 
201

Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
4

 

 
4

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation
205

 
206

 
215

 
127

 
(548
)
 
205



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Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Parent
Guarantor
 
Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(In $ millions)
Net sales

 

 
679

 
1,357

 
(267
)
 
1,769

Cost of sales

 

 
(501
)
 
(1,149
)
 
289

 
(1,361
)
Gross profit

 

 
178

 
208

 
22

 
408

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 
(18
)
 
(101
)
 

 
(119
)
Amortization of intangible assets

 

 
(2
)
 
(3
)
 

 
(5
)
Research and development expenses

 

 
(13
)
 
(11
)
 

 
(24
)
Other (charges) gains, net

 

 

 
2

 

 
2

Foreign exchange gain (loss), net

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net

 

 
(2
)
 

 

 
(2
)
Operating profit (loss)

 

 
143

 
94

 
22

 
259

Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
259

 
282

 
48

 
89

 
(577
)
 
101

Interest expense

 
(49
)
 
(6
)
 
(21
)
 
36

 
(40
)
Interest income

 
17

 
18

 
3

 
(36
)
 
2

Dividend income - cost investments

 

 

 
29

 

 
29

Other income (expense), net

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax
259

 
250

 
204

 
194

 
(555
)
 
352

Income tax (provision) benefit

 
9

 
(52
)
 
(46
)
 
(5
)
 
(94
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
259

 
259

 
152

 
148

 
(560
)
 
258

Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)
259

 
259

 
152

 
148

 
(560
)
 
258

Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation
259

 
259

 
152

 
149

 
(560
)
 
259


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Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Parent
Guarantor
 
Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(In $ millions)
Net sales

 

 
1,332

 
2,307

 
(712
)
 
2,927

Cost of sales

 

 
(905
)
 
(1,995
)
 
729

 
(2,171
)
Gross profit

 

 
427

 
312

 
17

 
756

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 
(53
)
 
(151
)
 

 
(204
)
Amortization of intangible assets

 

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
 

 
(6
)
Research and development expenses

 

 
(59
)
 
(20
)
 

 
(79
)
Other (charges) gains, net

 

 
(3
)
 
(12
)
 

 
(15
)
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net

 

 
(3
)
 
(4
)
 

 
(7
)
Operating profit (loss)

 

 
306

 
122

 
17

 
445

Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
441

 
523

 
206

 
75

 
(1,157
)
 
88

Interest expense

 
(84
)
 
(13
)
 
(20
)
 
60

 
(57
)
Interest income

 
13

 
39

 
9

 
(60
)
 
1

Dividend income - cost investments

 

 

 
54

 

 
54

Other income (expense), net

 

 
1

 
1

 

 
2

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax
441

 
452

 
539

 
241

 
(1,140
)
 
533

Income tax (provision) benefit

 
(11
)
 
(82
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
(96
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
441

 
441

 
457

 
240

 
(1,142
)
 
437

Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations

 

 
(3
)
 

 

 
(3
)
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 
(2
)
 

 

 
(2
)
Net earnings (loss)
441

 
441

 
455

 
240

 
(1,142
)
 
435

Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
6

 

 
6

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation
441

 
441

 
455

 
246

 
(1,142
)
 
441


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Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Parent
Guarantor
 
Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(In $ millions)
Net sales

 

 
1,386

 
2,657

 
(569
)
 
3,474

Cost of sales

 

 
(962
)
 
(2,300
)
 
574

 
(2,688
)
Gross profit

 

 
424

 
357

 
5

 
786

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 
(27
)
 
(196
)
 

 
(223
)
Amortization of intangible assets

 

 
(4
)
 
(7
)
 

 
(11
)
Research and development expenses

 

 
(26
)
 
(20
)
 

 
(46
)
Other (charges) gains, net

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Foreign exchange gain (loss), net

 

 

 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net

 

 
(5
)
 
2

 

 
(3
)
Operating profit (loss)

 

 
362

 
135

 
5

 
502

Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
454

 
510

 
78

 
125

 
(1,026
)
 
141

Interest expense

 
(95
)
 
(12
)
 
(40
)
 
68

 
(79
)
Interest income

 
31

 
35

 
4

 
(68
)
 
2

Dividend income - cost investments

 

 

 
58

 

 
58

Other income (expense), net

 

 
4

 
(3
)
 

 
1

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax
454

 
446

 
467

 
279

 
(1,021
)
 
625

Income tax (provision) benefit
1

 
8

 
(122
)
 
(57
)
 
(2
)
 
(172
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
455

 
454

 
345

 
222

 
(1,023
)
 
453

Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss)
455

 
454

 
345

 
222

 
(1,023
)
 
453

Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
2

 

 
2

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation
455

 
454

 
345

 
224

 
(1,023
)
 
455







33


Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Parent
Guarantor
 
Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(In $ millions)
Net earnings (loss)
205

 
206

 
215

 
123

 
(548
)
 
201

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
3

 
(1
)
Foreign currency translation
37

 
37

 
56

 
74

 
(167
)
 
37

Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
1

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
(3
)
 
1

Pension and postretirement benefits
4

 
4

 
3

 
4

 
(11
)
 
4

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
41

 
41

 
59

 
78

 
(178
)
 
41

Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
246

 
247

 
274

 
201

 
(726
)
 
242

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
4

 

 
4

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation
246

 
247

 
274

 
205

 
(726
)
 
246

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Parent
Guarantor
 
Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(In $ millions)
Net earnings (loss)
259

 
259

 
152

 
148

 
(560
)
 
258

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation
(22
)
 
(22
)
 
(9
)
 
2

 
29

 
(22
)
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
(3
)
 
(3
)
 

 
(3
)
 
6

 
(3
)
Pension and postretirement benefits
(14
)
 
(14
)
 
(14
)
 

 
28

 
(14
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(39
)
 
(39
)
 
(23
)
 
(1
)
 
63

 
(39
)
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
220

 
220

 
129

 
147

 
(497
)
 
219

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation
220

 
220

 
129

 
148

 
(497
)
 
220




34


Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Parent
Guarantor
 
Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(In $ millions)
Net earnings (loss)
441

 
441

 
455

 
240

 
(1,142
)
 
435

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
3

 
(1
)
Foreign currency translation
(119
)
 
(119
)
 
(114
)
 
(137
)
 
370

 
(119
)
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
3

 
3

 
6

 
3

 
(12
)
 
3

Pension and postretirement benefits
1

 
1

 

 
4

 
(5
)
 
1

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(116
)
 
(116
)
 
(109
)
 
(131
)
 
356

 
(116
)
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
325

 
325

 
346

 
109

 
(786
)
 
319

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
6

 

 
6

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation
325

 
325

 
346

 
115

 
(786
)
 
325

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Parent
Guarantor
 
Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(In $ millions)
Net earnings (loss)
455

 
454

 
345

 
222

 
(1,023
)
 
453

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation
(17
)
 
(17
)
 
7

 
(14
)
 
24

 
(17
)
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedges
(6
)
 
(6
)
 

 
(3
)
 
9

 
(6
)
Pension and postretirement benefits
(26
)
 
(26
)
 
(26
)
 

 
52

 
(26
)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(49
)
 
(49
)
 
(19
)
 
(17
)
 
85

 
(49
)
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
406

 
405

 
326

 
205

 
(938
)
 
404

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
2

 

 
2

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation
406

 
405

 
326

 
207

 
(938
)
 
406




35


Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
 
As of June 30, 2015
 
Parent
Guarantor
 
Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(In $ millions)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
1

 

 
115

 
872

 

 
988

Trade receivables - third party and affiliates

 

 
182

 
888

 
(197
)
 
873

Non-trade receivables, net
36

 
974

 
2,270

 
382

 
(3,436
)
 
226

Inventories, net

 

 
250

 
595

 
(83
)
 
762

Deferred income taxes

 

 
26

 
11

 
(22
)
 
15

Marketable securities, at fair value

 

 
29

 

 

 
29

Other assets

 

 
17

 
23

 
(10
)
 
30

Total current assets
37

 
974

 
2,889

 
2,771

 
(3,748
)
 
2,923

Investments in affiliates
3,041

 
6,216

 
4,199

 
721

 
(13,356
)
 
821

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 
1,022

 
2,749

 

 
3,771

Deferred income taxes

 
16

 
237

 
9

 
(2
)
 
260

Other assets

 
102

 
154

 
395

 
(279
)
 
372

Goodwill

 

 
314

 
402

 

 
716

Intangible assets, net

 

 
74

 
51

 

 
125

Total assets
3,078

 
7,308

 
8,889

 
7,098

 
(17,385
)
 
8,988

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates

 
1,972

 
700

 
249

 
(2,798
)
 
123

Trade payables - third party and affiliates

 

 
354

 
579

 
(197
)
 
736

Other liabilities
2

 
18

 
165

 
274

 
(161
)
 
298

Deferred income taxes

 
22

 

 
6

 
(22
)
 
6

Income taxes payable

 

 
542

 
71

 
(508
)
 
105

Total current liabilities
2

 
2,012

 
1,761

 
1,179

 
(3,686
)
 
1,268

Noncurrent Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt

 
2,234

 
373

 
204

 
(259
)
 
2,552

Deferred income taxes

 
14

 

 
115

 
(2
)
 
127

Uncertain tax positions

 
7

 
29

 
128

 

 
164

Benefit obligations

 

 
863

 
267

 

 
1,130

Other liabilities

 

 
119

 
170

 
(27
)
 
262

Total noncurrent liabilities

 
2,255

 
1,384

 
884

 
(288
)
 
4,235

Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity
3,076

 
3,041

 
5,744

 
4,626

 
(13,411
)
 
3,076

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
409

 

 
409

Total equity
3,076

 
3,041

 
5,744

 
5,035

 
(13,411
)
 
3,485

Total liabilities and equity
3,078

 
7,308

 
8,889

 
7,098

 
(17,385
)
 
8,988


36


Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
Parent
Guarantor
 
Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(In $ millions)
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents

 

 
110

 
670

 

 
780

Trade receivables - third party and affiliates

 

 
184

 
821

 
(204
)
 
801

Non-trade receivables, net
35

 
477

 
2,265

 
407

 
(2,943
)
 
241

Inventories, net

 

 
268

 
613

 
(99
)
 
782

Deferred income taxes

 

 
39

 
12

 
(22
)
 
29

Marketable securities, at fair value

 

 
32

 

 

 
32

Other assets

 
6

 
12

 
34

 
(19
)
 
33

Total current assets
35

 
483

 
2,910

 
2,557

 
(3,287
)
 
2,698

Investments in affiliates
2,784

 
5,889

 
4,349

 
613

 
(12,759
)
 
876

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 
1,029

 
2,704

 

 
3,733

Deferred income taxes

 
16

 
211

 
26

 

 
253

Other assets

 
674

 
146

 
400

 
(843
)
 
377

Goodwill

 

 
314

 
435

 

 
749

Intangible assets, net

 

 
73

 
59

 

 
132

Total assets
2,819

 
7,062

 
9,032

 
6,794

 
(16,889
)
 
8,818

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates

 
1,894

 
184

 
290

 
(2,231
)
 
137

Trade payables - third party and affiliates

 

 
413

 
548

 
(204
)
 
757

Other liabilities
1

 
34

 
225

 
402

 
(230
)
 
432

Deferred income taxes

 
22

 

 
7

 
(22
)
 
7

Income taxes payable

 

 
484

 
45

 
(524
)
 
5

Total current liabilities
1

 
1,950

 
1,306

 
1,292

 
(3,211
)
 
1,338

Noncurrent Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt

 
2,269

 
900

 
208

 
(769
)
 
2,608

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 
141

 

 
141

Uncertain tax positions

 
6

 
16

 
137

 

 
159

Benefit obligations

 

 
923

 
288

 

 
1,211

Other liabilities

 
53

 
121

 
192

 
(83
)
 
283

Total noncurrent liabilities

 
2,328

 
1,960

 
966

 
(852
)
 
4,402

Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity
2,818

 
2,784

 
5,766

 
4,276

 
(12,826
)
 
2,818

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
260

 

 
260

Total equity
2,818

 
2,784

 
5,766

 
4,536

 
(12,826
)
 
3,078

Total liabilities and equity
2,819

 
7,062

 
9,032

 
6,794

 
(16,889
)
 
8,818


37


Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Parent
Guarantor
 
Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(In $ millions)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
83

 
45

 
285

 
306

 
(166
)
 
553

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment

 

 
(74
)
 
(43
)
 

 
(117
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 
(3
)
 

 

 
(3
)
Proceeds from sale of businesses and assets, net

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures related to Fairway Methanol LLC

 

 
(9
)
 
(201
)
 

 
(210
)
Return of capital from subsidiary

 

 

 

 

 

Contributions to subsidiary

 

 
(60
)
 

 
60

 

Intercompany loan receipts (disbursements)

 
3

 
(25
)
 
(15
)
 
37

 

Other, net

 

 
(12
)
 
(12
)
 

 
(24
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 
3

 
(183
)
 
(271
)
 
97

 
(354
)
Financing Activities
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net change in short-term borrowings with maturities of 3 months or less

 
25

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(25
)
 
(2
)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings

 

 

 
26

 

 
26

Repayments of short-term borrowings

 

 

 
(39
)
 

 
(39
)
Proceeds from long-term debt

 
15

 

 

 
(15
)
 

Repayments of long-term debt

 
(5
)
 
(3
)
 
(7
)
 
3

 
(12
)
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends to parent

 
(83
)
 
(83
)
 

 
166

 

Contributions from parent

 

 

 
60

 
(60
)
 

Stock option exercises
2

 

 

 

 

 
2

Series A common stock dividends
(84
)
 

 

 

 

 
(84
)
Return of capital to parent

 

 

 

 

 

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
155

 

 
155

Other, net

 

 
(10
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(11
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(82
)
 
(48
)
 
(97
)
 
193

 
69

 
35

Exchange rate effects on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 
(26
)
 

 
(26
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
1

 

 
5

 
202

 

 
208

Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period

 

 
110

 
670

 

 
780

Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period
1

 

 
115

 
872

 

 
988


38


Table of Contents

CELANESE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Parent
Guarantor
 
Issuer
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Non-
Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(In $ millions)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
169

 
109

 
333

 
142

 
(336
)
 
417

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment

 

 
(100
)
 
(30
)
 

 
(130
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from sale of businesses and assets, net

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures related to Fairway Methanol LLC

 

 
(34
)
 
(109
)
 

 
(143
)
Return of capital from subsidiary

 

 
51

 

 
(51
)
 

Contributions to subsidiary

 

 
(97
)
 

 
97

 

Intercompany loan receipts (disbursements)

 
3

 
(61
)
 

 
58

 

Other, net

 

 
(6
)
 
(4
)
 

 
(10
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 
3

 
(247
)
 
(143
)
 
104

 
(283
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net change in short-term borrowings with maturities of 3 months or less

 
61

 
10

 
(9
)
 
(61
)
 
1

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

 

 

 
25

 

 
25

Repayments of short-term borrowings

 

 

 
(43
)
 

 
(43
)
Proceeds from long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 
(5
)
 
(3
)
 
(8
)
 
3

 
(13
)
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees
(103
)
 

 

 

 

 
(103
)
Dividends to parent

 
(168
)
 
(168
)
 

 
336

 

Contributions from parent

 

 

 
97

 
(97
)
 

Stock option exercises
3

 

 

 

 

 
3

Series A common stock dividends
(67
)
 

 

 

 

 
(67
)
Return of capital to parent

 

 

 
(51
)
 
51

 

Contributions from noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
148

 

 
148

Other, net

 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(1
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(167
)
 
(112
)
 
(162
)
 
159

 
232

 
(50
)
Exchange rate effects on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 
(4
)
 

 
(4
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
2

 

 
(76
)
 
154

 

 
80

Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period

 

 
284

 
700

 

 
984

Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period
2

 

 
208

 
854

 

 
1,064


39


Table of Contents

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Quarterly Report"), the term "Celanese" refers to Celanese Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and not its subsidiaries. The terms the "Company," "we," "our" and "us," refer to Celanese and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. The term "Celanese US" refers to the Company's subsidiary, Celanese US Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and not its subsidiaries.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Celanese Corporation and Subsidiaries consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2014 filed on February 6, 2015 with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") as part of the Company's Annual Reporting on Form 10-K ("2014 Form 10-K") and the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and notes to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, which are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP").
Investors are cautioned that the forward-looking statements contained in this section and other parts of this Quarterly Report involve both risk and uncertainty. Several important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by these statements. Many of these statements are macroeconomic in nature and are, therefore, beyond the control of management. See "Forward-Looking Statements" below and at the beginning of our 2014 Form 10-K.
Forward-Looking Statements
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") and other parts of this Quarterly Report contain certain forward-looking statements and information relating to us that are based on the beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, us. Generally, words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "may," "can," "could," "might," and "will," and similar expressions, as they relate to us are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views and beliefs with respect to future events at the time that the statements are made, are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. All forward-looking statements made in this Quarterly Report are made as of the date hereof, and the risk that actual results will differ materially from expectations expressed in this Quarterly Report will increase with the passage of time. We undertake no obligation, and disclaim any duty, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in our expectations or otherwise.
See Part I - Item 1A. Risk Factors of our 2014 Form 10-K and subsequent periodic filings we make with the SEC for a description of certain risk factors that you should consider which could significantly affect our financial results. In addition, the following factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, among other things:
changes in general economic, business, political and regulatory conditions in the countries or regions in which we operate;
the length and depth of product and industry business cycles particularly in the automotive, electrical, textiles, electronics and construction industries;
changes in the price and availability of raw materials, particularly changes in the demand for, supply of, and market prices of ethylene, methanol, natural gas, wood pulp and fuel oil and the prices for electricity and other energy sources;
the ability to pass increases in raw material prices on to customers or otherwise improve margins through price increases;
the ability to maintain plant utilization rates and to implement planned capacity additions and expansions;
the ability to reduce or maintain current levels of production costs and to improve productivity by implementing technological improvements to existing plants;
increased price competition and the introduction of competing products by other companies;
market acceptance of our technology;
the ability to obtain governmental approvals and to construct facilities on terms and schedules acceptable to the Company;

40


Table of Contents

changes in the degree of intellectual property and other legal protection afforded to our products or technologies, or the theft of such intellectual property;
compliance and other costs and potential disruption or interruption of production or operations due to accidents, interruptions in sources of raw materials, cyber security incidents, terrorism or political unrest, or other unforeseen events or delays in construction or operation of facilities, including as a result of geopolitical conditions, the occurrence of acts of war or terrorist incidents or as a result of weather or natural disasters;
potential liability for remedial actions and increased costs under existing or future environmental regulations, including those relating to climate change;
potential liability resulting from pending or future litigation, or from changes in the laws, regulations or policies of governments or other governmental activities in the countries in which we operate;
changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates;
our level of indebtedness, which could diminish our ability to raise additional capital to fund operations or limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or the chemicals industry; and
various other factors, both referenced and not referenced in this Quarterly Report.
Many of these factors are macroeconomic in nature and are, therefore, beyond our control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results, performance or achievements may vary materially from those described in this Quarterly Report as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended, planned or projected. We neither intend nor assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.
Overview
We are a global technology and specialty materials company. We are one of the world's largest producers of acetyl products, which are intermediate chemicals, for nearly all major industries, as well as a leading global producer of high performance engineered polymers that are used in a variety of high-value applications. As a recognized innovator in the chemicals industry, we engineer and manufacture a wide variety of products essential to everyday living. Our broad product portfolio serves a diverse set of end-use applications including paints and coatings, textiles, automotive applications, consumer and medical applications, performance industrial applications, filtration applications, paper and packaging, chemical additives, construction, consumer and industrial adhesives, and food and beverage applications. Our products enjoy leading global positions due to our large global production capacity, operating efficiencies, proprietary production technology and competitive cost structures.
Our large and diverse global customer base primarily consists of major companies in a broad array of industries. We hold geographically balanced global positions and participate in diversified end-use applications. We combine a demonstrated track record of execution, strong performance built on shared principles and objectives, and a clear focus on growth and value creation. Known for operational excellence and execution of our business strategies, we deliver value to customers around the globe with best-in-class technologies and solutions.





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Results of Operations
Financial Highlights
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
Change
 
(unaudited)
 
(In $ millions, except percentages)
Statement of Operations Data
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Net sales
1,477

 
1,769

 
(292
)
 
2,927

 
3,474

 
(547
)
Gross profit
375

 
408

 
(33
)
 
756

 
786

 
(30
)
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses
(106
)
 
(119
)
 
13

 
(204
)
 
(223
)
 
19

Other (charges) gains, net
(10
)
 
2

 
(12
)
 
(15
)
 
1

 
(16
)
Operating profit (loss)
188

 
259

 
(71
)
 
445

 
502

 
(57
)
Equity in net earnings of affiliates
40

 
101

 
(61
)
 
88

 
141

 
(53
)
Interest expense
(30
)
 
(40
)
 
10

 
(57
)
 
(79
)
 
22

Dividend income - cost investments
26

 
29

 
(3
)
 
54

 
58

 
(4
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax
227

 
352

 
(125
)
 
533

 
625

 
(92
)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations
203

 
258

 
(55
)
 
437

 
453

 
(16
)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
Net earnings (loss)
201

 
258

 
(57
)
 
435

 
453

 
(18
)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation
205

 
259

 
(54
)
 
441

 
455

 
(14
)
Other Data
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
Depreciation and amortization
105

 
72

 
33

 
172

 
147

 
25

SG&A expenses as a percentage of Net sales
7.2
%
 
6.7
%
 
 
 
7.0
%
 
6.4
%
 
 
Operating margin(1)
12.7
%
 
14.6
%
 


 
15.2
%
 
14.5
%
 


Other (charges) gains, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee termination benefits
(10
)
 
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
(14
)
 
(3
)
 
(11
)
Plant/office closures

 

 

 

 
1

 
(1
)
Commercial disputes

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Other

 
3

 
(3
)
 

 
3

 
(3
)
Total Other (charges) gains, net
(10
)
 
2

 
(12
)
 
(15
)
 
1

 
(16
)
______________________________
(1) 
Defined as Operating profit (loss) divided by Net sales.
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
(unaudited)
 
(In $ millions)
Balance Sheet Data
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
988

 
780

 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates
123

 
137

Long-term debt
2,552

 
2,608

Total debt
2,675

 
2,745


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Factors Affecting Business Segment Net Sales
The percentage increase (decrease) in Net sales attributable to each of the factors indicated for each of our business segments is as follows:
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Volume
 
Price
 
Currency
 
Other
 
Total
 
(unaudited)
 
(In percentages)
Advanced Engineered Materials
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
 
(11
)
Consumer Specialties
(10
)
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
 
(14
)
Industrial Specialties
(1
)
 
(4
)
 
(9
)
 
 
(14
)
Acetyl Intermediates
(4
)
 
(10
)
 
(8
)
 
 
(22
)
Total Company
(4
)
 
(7
)
 
(8
)
 
2
 
(17
)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Volume
 
Price
 
Currency
 
Other
 
Total
 
(unaudited)
 
(In percentages)
Advanced Engineered Materials
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(8
)
 
 
(10
)
Consumer Specialties
(16
)
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
 
(20
)
Industrial Specialties
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(9
)
 
 
(12
)
Acetyl Intermediates
(3
)
 
(9
)
 
(7
)
 
 
(19
)
Total Company
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
(7
)
 
1
 
(16
)
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plan Costs
The increase (decrease) in pension and other postretirement plan net periodic benefit cost for each of our business segments is as follows:
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Advanced Engineered Materials
 
Consumer Specialties
 
Industrial Specialties
 
Acetyl Intermediates
 
Other Activities
 
Total
 
(unaudited)
 
(In $ millions)
Service cost

 

 

 

 

 

Interest cost and expected return on plan assets

 

 

 

 
(6
)
 
(6
)
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss

 

 

 

 
1

 
1

Amortization of prior service cost (credit), net(1)
8

 
4

 
2

 
4

 
4

 
22

Special termination benefit

 

 

 

 

 

Total
8

 
4

 
2

 
4

 
(1
)
 
17

______________________________
(1) 
Primarily relates to the elimination of eligibility for all current and future US employees to participate in our US postretirement health care plan.

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Advanced Engineered Materials
 
Consumer Specialties
 
Industrial Specialties
 
Acetyl Intermediates
 
Other Activities
 
Total
 
(unaudited)
 
(In $ millions)
Cost of sales
4

 
3

 
1

 
2

 

 
10

SG&A expenses
3

 
1

 
1

 
1

 
(1
)
 
5

Research and development expenses
1

 

 

 
1

 

 
2

Total
8

 
4

 
2

 
4

 
(1
)
 
17

Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
Advanced Engineered Materials
 
Consumer Specialties
 
Industrial Specialties
 
Acetyl Intermediates
 
Other Activities
 
Total
 
(unaudited)
 
(In $ millions)
Service cost

 

 

 

 

 

Interest cost and expected return on plan assets

 

 

 

 
(12
)
 
(12
)
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss

 

 

 

 
1

 
1

Amortization of prior service cost (credit), net(1)
14

 
8

 
4

 
8

 
7

 
41

Special termination benefit

 

 

 

 
1

 
1

Total
14

 
8

 
4

 
8

 
(3
)
 
31

______________________________
(1) 
Primarily relates to the elimination of eligibility for all current and future US employees to participate in our US postretirement health care plan.
 
Advanced Engineered Materials
 
Consumer Specialties
 
Industrial Specialties
 
Acetyl Intermediates
 
Other Activities
 
Total
 
(unaudited)
 
(In $ millions)
Cost of sales
8

 
7

 
3

 
4

 
(1
)
 
21

SG&A expenses
4

 
1

 
1

 
2

 
(2
)
 
6

Research and development expenses
2

 

 

 
2

 

 
4

Total
14

 
8

 
4

 
8

 
(3
)
 
31

See Note 9 - Benefit Obligations in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for further information.

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Consolidated Results
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
Net sales decreased $292 million, or 16.5%, for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
unfavorable currency impacts across all our business segments resulting from a strong US dollar relative to the Euro;
lower pricing in our Acetyl Intermediates segment for vinyl acetate monomer ("VAM") as a result of industry outages in the prior year which did not recur in the current year, resulting in more normalized pricing, as well as lower volume for ethanol and acetic anhydride;
lower acetate tow volume in our Consumer Specialties segment driven by customer destocking; and
lower acetate tow pricing in our Consumer Specialties segment driven by reduced industry utilization.
Operating profit decreased $71 million, or 27.4%, for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a decrease in Net sales, as well as an increase in depreciation and amortization expense in our Acetyl Intermediates segment as a result of $39 million in accelerated depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment no longer in use at our ethanol technology development unit in Clear Lake, Texas, beginning in June 2015. See Note 12 - Other (Charges) Gains, Net in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for further information;
partially offset by:
lower raw material costs in our Acetyl Intermediates segment, primarily for ethylene.
As a percentage of Net sales, SG&A expenses increased from 6.7% to 7.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to lower Net sales.
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates decreased $61 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a $48 million gain resulting from restructuring the debt of a subsidiary of InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG during the three months ended June 30, 2014, which did not recur in the current year. Our equity investment in InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG is primarily owned by an entity included in our Other Activities segment, while our Consumer Specialties and Acetyl Intermediates segments also each hold an ownership percentage; and
a decrease in equity investment earnings of $16 million from our National Methanol Company ("Ibn Sina") strategic affiliate as a result of lower pricing for methyl tertiary-butyl ether ("MTBE") and methanol.
Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was 11% compared to 27% for the same period in 2014. The lower effective income tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2015 is primarily due to:
a $30 million reduction of prior year tax positions due to audit closures and technical judicial clarifications; and
changes in jurisdictional earnings, a portion of which related to the implementation of our centralized European operating company.
Our effective income tax rate is affected by recurring items, such as tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and the relative amounts and mix of income and loss in those jurisdictions to which they relate, as well as discrete items and non-deductible expenses that may occur in any given year, but are not consistent from year to year.
We recently established a centralized European operating company in the Netherlands for the purpose of improving the operational efficiencies and profitability of our European operations and certain global product lines and to centralize leadership and management functions in a single location. A key objective of our European operating company is to align our business operations, identify cost savings and further streamline our operations. We successfully implemented the model for the

45


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majority of our global cellulose derivatives business in February 2015 and expect to incorporate portions of our other businesses into the model throughout the remainder of the year. We expect increased strategic focus to result in certain operational savings and improved margins, which will directly impact our mix of earnings and product flows and result in both favorable and unfavorable tax rate impacts in the jurisdictions in which we operate.
See Note 13 - Income Taxes in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for further information.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
Net sales decreased $547 million, or 15.7%, for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
unfavorable currency impacts across all our business segments resulting from a strong US dollar relative to the Euro;
lower pricing in our Acetyl Intermediates segment for VAM and acetic acid, as well as solvents and derivatives;
lower acetate tow volume in our Consumer Specialties segment driven by customer destocking; and
lower acetate tow pricing in our Consumer Specialties segment driven by reduced industry utilization.
Operating profit decreased $57 million, or 11.4%, for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a decrease in Net sales, as well as an increase in depreciation and amortization expense in our Acetyl Intermediates segment as a result of $39 million in accelerated depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment no longer in use at our ethanol technology development unit in Clear Lake, Texas, beginning in June 2015;
partially offset by:
lower energy and raw material costs in our Acetyl Intermediates segment, primarily for ethylene.
As a percentage of Net sales, SG&A expenses increased from 6.4% to 7.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, primarily due to lower Net sales.
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates decreased $53 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a $48 million gain resulting from restructuring the debt of a subsidiary of InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG during the three months ended June 30, 2014, which did not recur in the current year.
Our effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was 18% compared to 28% for the same period in 2014. The lower effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2015 is primarily due to:
a $30 million reduction of prior year tax positions due to audit closures and technical judicial clarifications; and
changes in jurisdictional earnings, a portion of which related to the implementation of our centralized European operating company.
Assuming no material changes to tax rules and regulations or cash repatriation plans, we expect to realize operational savings in connection with the establishment of our centralized European operating company, which will directly impact the mix of our earnings and may result in favorable income tax impacts in subsequent years. Our effective tax rate will vary based on the jurisdictions in which income is actually generated and remains subject to potential volatility from changing tax legislation in the US and other tax jurisdictions. We continue to assess our business model and its impact in various jurisdictions.

46



Business Segments 
Advanced Engineered Materials
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
(In $ millions, except percentages)
Net sales
346

 
389

 
(43
)
 
(11.1
)%
 
689

 
762

 
(73
)
 
(9.6
)%
Net Sales Variance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Volume
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 
Price
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 
Currency
(9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(8
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 
Other
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 
Other (charges) gains, net
(3
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
200.0
 %
 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
300.0
 %
Operating profit (loss)
67

 
56

 
11

 
19.6
 %
 
126

 
113

 
13

 
11.5
 %
Operating margin
19.4
 %
 
14.4
%
 
 
 


 
18.3
 %
 
14.8
%
 
 
 
 
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
31

 
45

 
(14
)
 
(31.1
)%
 
74

 
78

 
(4
)
 
(5.1
)%
Depreciation and amortization
24

 
27

 
(3
)
 
(11.1
)%
 
49

 
53

 
(4
)
 
(7.5
)%
Our Advanced Engineered Materials segment includes our engineered materials business and certain strategic affiliates. Our engineered materials business develops, produces and supplies a broad portfolio of high performance specialty polymers for automotive and medical applications, as well as industrial products and consumer electronics. Together with our strategic affiliates, our engineered materials business is a leading participant in the global specialty polymers industry.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
Net sales decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
an unfavorable currency impact resulting from a strong US dollar relative to the Euro; and
slightly lower pricing due to product mix.
Operating profit increased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
lower raw material costs, primarily for ethylene, polypropylene and methanol, which more than offset the decrease in Net sales and an increase of $8 million in net periodic benefit cost.
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a decrease in equity investment earnings of $16 million from our Ibn Sina strategic affiliate as a result of lower pricing for MTBE and methanol.

47



Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
Net sales decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
an unfavorable currency impact resulting from a strong US dollar relative to the Euro; and
slightly lower pricing due to product mix.
Operating profit increased for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
lower energy and raw material costs, primarily for ethylene, polypropylene and methanol, which more than offset the decrease in Net sales and an increase of $14 million in net periodic benefit cost.
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a decrease in equity investment earnings of $13 million from our Ibn Sina strategic affiliate as a result of lower pricing for MTBE and methanol;
partially offset by:
an increase in equity investment earnings from our Polyplastics Co., Ltd. and Korea Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd., strategic affiliates of $5 million and $5 million, respectively, as a result of lower raw material and energy costs.
Consumer Specialties
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
(In $ millions, except percentages)
Net sales
249

 
289

 
(40
)
 
(13.8
)%
 
476

 
591

 
(115
)
 
(19.5
)%
Net Sales Variance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Volume
(10
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(16
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 
Price
(3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 
Currency
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 
Other
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 
Other (charges) gains, net
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
100.0
 %
 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
100.0
 %
Operating profit (loss)
77

 
80

 
(3
)
 
(3.8
)%
 
139

 
179

 
(40
)
 
(22.3
)%
Operating margin
30.9
 %
 
27.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
29.2
 %
 
30.3
%
 
 

 
 
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
1

 
7

 
(6
)
 
(85.7
)%
 
1

 
8

 
(7
)
 
(87.5
)%
Dividend income - cost investments
26

 
28

 
(2
)
 
(7.1
)%
 
54

 
57

 
(3
)
 
(5.3
)%
Depreciation and amortization
12

 
10

 
2

 
20.0
 %
 
23

 
21

 
2

 
9.5
 %
Our Consumer Specialties segment includes our cellulose derivatives and food ingredients businesses, which serve consumer-driven applications. Our cellulose derivatives business is a leading global producer and supplier of acetate flake, acetate film and acetate tow, primarily used in filtration applications. Our food ingredients business is a leading international supplier of premium quality ingredients for the food and beverage and pharmaceuticals industries.

48



Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
Net sales decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
lower acetate tow volume driven by customer destocking; and
lower acetate tow pricing driven by reduced industry utilization.
Operating profit decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a decrease in Net sales, partially offset by lower raw material and natural gas costs.
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a $6 million gain resulting from restructuring the debt of a subsidiary of InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG during the three months ended June 30, 2014, which did not recur in the current year. Our equity investment in InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG is primarily owned by an entity included in our Other Activities segment, while our Consumer Specialties and Acetyl Intermediates segments also each hold an ownership percentage.
On April 22, 2015, we announced our intention to consult with employee representatives on a potential 50% capacity reduction at our acetate tow plant in Lanaken, Belgium. The consultation process is expected to continue into the third quarter. No significant employee termination benefits or impairment related charges were incurred during the three months ended June 30, 2015.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
Net sales decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
lower acetate tow volume driven by customer destocking; and
lower acetate tow pricing driven by reduced industry utilization.
Operating profit decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a decrease in Net sales, partially offset by lower raw material and natural gas costs.
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a $6 million gain resulting from restructuring the debt of a subsidiary of InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG during the three months ended June 30, 2014, which did not recur in the current year.

49



Industrial Specialties
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
(In $ millions, except percentages)
Net sales
287

 
333

 
(46
)
 
(13.8
)%
 
569

 
645

 
(76
)
 
(11.8
)%
Net Sales Variance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Volume
(1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 
Price
(4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 
Currency
(9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(9
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 
Other
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 
Other (charges) gains, net
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
 
100.0
 %
 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
 
100.0
 %
Operating profit (loss)
28

 
24

 
4

 
16.7
 %
 
57

 
44

 
13

 
29.5
 %
Operating margin
9.8
 %
 
7.2
%
 
 

 
 
 
10.0
 %
 
6.8
%
 
 

 
 
Depreciation and amortization
9

 
12

 
(3
)
 
(25.0
)%
 
19

 
26

 
(7
)
 
(26.9
)%
Our Industrial Specialties segment includes our emulsion polymers and EVA polymers businesses. Our emulsion polymers business is a leading global producer of vinyl acetate-based emulsions and develops products and application technologies to improve performance, create value and drive innovation in applications such as paints and coatings, adhesives, construction, glass fiber, textiles and paper. Our EVA polymers business is a leading North American manufacturer of a full range of specialty ethylene vinyl acetate ("EVA") resins and compounds as well as select grades of low-density polyethylene. EVA polymers products are used in many applications, including flexible packaging films, lamination film products, hot melt adhesives, medical tubing, automotive parts and carpeting.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
Net sales decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
an unfavorable currency impact on our emulsion polymers business resulting from a strong US dollar relative to the Euro; and
lower pricing in our emulsions polymers business due to lower raw material costs for VAM in Europe, Asia and North America.
Operating profit increased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
lower raw material costs, specifically VAM in Europe, which more than offset the decrease in Net sales.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
Net sales decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
an unfavorable currency impact on our emulsion polymers business resulting from a strong US dollar relative to the Euro; and
lower volume in our emulsion polymers business, primarily in North America for textiles and paper.
Operating profit increased for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
lower raw material costs, specifically VAM in Europe, which more than offset the decrease in Net sales.

50



Acetyl Intermediates
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
(In $ millions, except percentages)
Net sales
707

 
901

 
(194
)
 
(21.5
)%
 
1,420

 
1,742

 
(322
)
 
(18.5
)%
Net Sales Variance
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Volume
(4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 
Price
(10
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(9
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 
Currency
(8
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(7
)%
 
 

 
 

 
 
Other
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 %
 
 

 
 

 
 
Other (charges) gains, net
(1
)
 
2

 
(3
)
 
(150.0
)%
 
(2
)
 
2

 
(4
)
 
(200.0
)%
Operating profit (loss)
54

 
142

 
(88
)
 
(62.0
)%
 
185

 
239

 
(54
)
 
(22.6
)%
Operating margin
7.6
 %
 
15.8
%
 
 

 
 
 
13.0
 %
 
13.7
%
 
 

 
 
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
1

 
14

 
(13
)
 
(92.9
)%
 
2

 
15

 
(13
)
 
(86.7
)%
Depreciation and amortization
57

 
19

 
38

 
200.0
 %
 
76

 
40

 
36

 
90.0
 %
Our Acetyl Intermediates segment includes our intermediate chemistry business which produces and supplies acetyl products, including acetic acid, VAM, acetic anhydride and acetate esters. These products are generally used as starting materials for colorants, paints, adhesives, coatings and medicines. This business segment also produces organic solvents and intermediates for pharmaceutical, agricultural and chemical products.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
Net sales decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
an unfavorable currency impact resulting from a strong US dollar relative to the Euro;
lower pricing, primarily for VAM due to industry outages in the prior year which did not recur in the current year, resulting in more normalized pricing; and
lower volume for ethanol and acetic anhydride, primarily due to a planned turnaround in China.
Operating profit decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a decrease in Net sales, as well as an increase in depreciation and amortization expense as a result of $39 million in accelerated depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment no longer in use at our ethanol technology development unit in Clear Lake, Texas, beginning in June 2015. See Note 12 - Other (Charges) Gains, Net in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for further information;
partially offset by:
lower raw material costs, primarily for ethylene.
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a $13 million gain resulting from restructuring the debt of a subsidiary of InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG during the three months ended June 30, 2014, which did not recur in the current year. Our equity investment in InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG is primarily owned by an entity included in our Other Activities segment, while our Consumer Specialties and Acetyl Intermediates segments also each hold an ownership percentage.

51



Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
Net sales decreased during the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
an unfavorable currency impact resulting from a strong US dollar relative to the Euro;
lower pricing and volume, primarily for VAM, representing approximately half of the decrease in pricing and volume, due to industry outages in the prior year which did not recur in the current year;
lower pricing for acetic acid, as well as solvents and derivatives, primarily due to lower raw material costs; and
lower volume for acetic anhydride, primarily due to a planned turnaround in China.
Operating profit decreased during the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a decrease in Net sales, as well as an increase in depreciation and amortization expense as a result of $39 million in accelerated depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment no longer in use at our ethanol technology development unit in Clear Lake, Texas, beginning in June 2015;
partially offset by:
lower energy and raw material costs, primarily for ethylene.
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a $13 million gain resulting from restructuring the debt of a subsidiary of InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG during the three months ended June 30, 2014, which did not recur in the current year.

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Other Activities
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
% Change
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Change
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(unaudited)
 
(In $ millions, except percentages)
Other (charges) gains, net
(4
)
 
1

 
(5
)
 
(500.0
)%
 
(6
)
 

 
(6
)
 
100.0
 %
Operating profit (loss)
(38
)
 
(43
)
 
5

 
(11.6
)%
 
(62
)
 
(73
)
 
11

 
(15.1
)%
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates
7

 
35

 
(28
)
 
(80.0
)%
 
11

 
40

 
(29
)
 
(72.5
)%
Depreciation and amortization
3

 
4

 
(1
)
 
(25.0
)%
 
5

 
7

 
(2
)
 
(28.6
)%
Other Activities primarily consists of corporate center costs, including administrative activities such as finance, information technology and human resource functions, interest income and expense associated with our financing activities and results of our captive insurance companies. Other Activities also includes the interest cost, expected return on assets and net actuarial gains and losses components of our net periodic benefit cost for our defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans, which are not allocated to our business segments.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
Operating loss decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
lower functional spending of $10 million;
partially offset by:
higher project spending related to our European operating company.
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates decreased for the three months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a $29 million gain resulting from restructuring the debt of a subsidiary of InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG during the three months ended June 30, 2014, which did not recur in the current year. Our equity investment in InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG is primarily owned by an entity included in our Other Activities segment, while our Consumer Specialties and Acetyl Intermediates segments also each hold an ownership percentage.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 Compared with Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
Operating loss decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
lower functional spending and incentive compensation costs of $20 million;
partially offset by:
higher project spending related to our European operating company.
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates decreased for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 primarily due to:
a $29 million gain resulting from restructuring the debt of a subsidiary of InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG during the three months ended June 30, 2014, which did not recur in the current year.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary source of liquidity is cash generated from operations, available cash and cash equivalents and dividends from our portfolio of strategic investments. In addition, as of June 30, 2015, we have $900 million available for borrowing under our revolving credit facility and $16 million available under our accounts receivable securitization facility to assist, if required, in meeting our working capital needs and other contractual obligations.
While our contractual obligations, commitments and debt service requirements over the next several years are significant, we continue to believe we will have available resources to meet our liquidity requirements, including debt service, for the next twelve months. If our cash flow from operations is insufficient to fund our debt service and other obligations, we may be required to use other means available to us such as increasing our borrowings, reducing or delaying capital expenditures, seeking additional capital or seeking to restructure or refinance our indebtedness. There can be no assurance, however, that we will continue to generate cash flows at or above current levels.
In February 2014, we formed a joint venture, Fairway Methanol LLC ("Fairway"), with Mitsui & Co., Ltd., of Tokyo, Japan ("Mitsui"), in which we own 50% of Fairway, for the production of methanol at our integrated chemical plant in Clear Lake, Texas. The planned methanol unit will utilize natural gas in the US Gulf Coast region as a feedstock and will benefit from the existing infrastructure at our Clear Lake facility. As a result, the total shared capital and expense investment in the facility is estimated to be in the range of $875 million to $900 million, including $95 million of installed infrastructure. Our portion of the investment is estimated to be in the range of $350 million to $375 million, excluding the $95 million of previously invested assets at our Clear Lake facility. The planned methanol unit will have an annual capacity of 1.3 million tons and is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2015.
Total cash outflows for capital expenditures, including our portion of the Fairway project, are expected to be in the range of $350 million to $400 million in 2015 primarily due to our portion of the investment in the construction of the Clear Lake methanol unit and additional investments in growth opportunities in our Advanced Engineered Materials and Industrial Specialties segments.
On a stand-alone basis, Celanese and its immediate 100% owned subsidiary, Celanese US, have no material assets other than the stock of their subsidiaries and no independent external operations of their own. Accordingly, they generally depend on the cash flow of their subsidiaries and their ability to pay dividends and make other distributions to Celanese and Celanese US in order to meet their obligations, including their obligations under senior credit facilities and senior notes and to pay dividends on Series A Common Stock ("Common Stock").
Cash Flows
Cash and cash equivalents increased $208 million to $988 million as of June 30, 2015 compared to December 31, 2014. As of June 30, 2015, $870 million of the $988 million of cash and cash equivalents was held by our foreign subsidiaries. If these funds are needed for our operations in the US, we will access such funds in a tax efficient manner to satisfy cash flow needs. Currently, there are no contemplated cash distributions that will result in incremental US taxes payable in excess of applicable foreign tax credits related to such undistributed earnings. As a result, we have not provided any deferred income taxes on the portion of undistributed foreign earnings determined not to be permanently reinvested in foreign operations.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $136 million to $553 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $417 million for the same period in 2014. Net cash provided by operations for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased primarily as a result of:
a reduction of $76 million in cash taxes paid; and
a $55 million decrease in trade working capital, primarily due to the impact of a decline in Net sales on trade receivables.



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Table of Contents

Trade working capital is calculated as follows:
 
As of
June 30,
2015
 
As of
December 31,
2014
 
As of
June 30,
2014
 
As of
December 31,
2013
 
(unaudited)
 
(In $ millions)
Trade receivables, net
873

 
801

 
1,045

 
867

Inventories
762

 
782

 
816

 
804

Trade payables - third party and affiliates
(736
)
 
(757
)
 
(839
)
 
(799
)
Trade working capital
899

 
826

 
1,022

 
872

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased $71 million to $354 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $283 million for the same period in 2014, primarily due to:
capital expenditures relating to Fairway of $210 million, $67 million higher than in the same period in 2014.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
Net cash provided by financing activities increased $85 million from a net cash outflow of $50 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014 to a net cash inflow of $35 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015. The increase in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily due to:
a decrease in stock repurchase transactions of $103 million;
partially offset by:
higher Common Stock dividends of $17 million due to a 39% and 20% increase in quarterly cash dividends beginning May 2014 and May 2015, respectively.
In addition, exchange rates had an unfavorable impact of $26 million on cash and cash equivalents for the six months ended June 30, 2015 compared to $4 million for the same period in 2014.
Debt and Other Obligations
There have been no material changes to our debt or other obligations described in our 2014 Form 10-K other than those disclosed in Note 8 - Debt in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
Share Capital
There have been no material changes to our share capital described in our 2014 Form 10-K other than those disclosed in Note 11 - Stockholders' Equity in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
Contractual Obligations
Except as otherwise described in this report, there have been no material revisions outside the ordinary course of business to our contractual obligations as described in our 2014 Form 10-K.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have not entered into any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

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Table of Contents

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are based on the selection and application of significant accounting policies. The preparation of unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales, expenses and allocated charges during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. However, we are not currently aware of any reasonably likely events or circumstances that would result in materially different results.
We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 2 - Summary of Accounting Policies, of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2014 Form 10-K. We discuss our critical accounting policies and estimates in the MD&A of our 2014 Form 10-K.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk for our Company has not changed materially from the foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity risks disclosed in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in our 2014 Form 10-K. See also Note 14 - Derivative Financial Instruments, in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our market risk management and the related impact on our financial position and results of operations.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, as of June 30, 2015, the Chief Executive Officer and Interim Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the period covered by this report, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Table of Contents

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are involved in a number of legal and regulatory proceedings, lawsuits and claims incidental to the normal conduct of our business, relating to such matters as product liability, land disputes, contracts, antitrust, intellectual property, workers' compensation, chemical exposure, asbestos exposure, trade compliance, prior acquisitions and divestitures, claims of legacy stockholders, past waste disposal practices and release of chemicals into the environment. The Company is actively defending those matters where it is named as a defendant. Due to the inherent subjectivity of assessments and unpredictability of outcomes of legal proceedings, the Company's litigation accruals and estimates of possible loss or range of possible loss may not represent the ultimate loss to the Company from legal proceedings. See Note 10 - Environmental and Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for a discussion of material environmental matters and material commitments and contingencies related to legal and regulatory proceedings. There have been no significant developments in the "Legal Proceedings" described in our 2014 Form 10-K other than those disclosed in Note 10 - Environmental and Note 16 - Commitments and Contingencies in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors under Part I, Item 1A of our 2014 Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Repurchases of our Common Stock during the three months ended June 30, 2015 are as follows:
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased(1)
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Program
 
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
Remaining that may be
Purchased Under the Program
(2)
 
(unaudited)
April 1-30, 2015
11,646

 
$
57.62

 

 
$
451,000,000

May 1-31, 2015

 
$

 

 
$
451,000,000

June 1-30, 2015
23

 
$
57.30

 

 
$
451,000,000

Total
11,669

 
 
 

 
 
______________________________
(1) 
Includes 11,646 and 23 for April and June 2015, respectively, related to shares withheld from employees to cover their statutory minimum withholding requirements for personal income taxes related to the vesting of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units.
(2) 
Our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of $1.4 billion of our Common Stock since February 2008.
See Note 11 - Stockholders' Equity in the accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for further information.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.

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Table of Contents

Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
 
 
 
Description
 
 
 
3.1
 
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 11, 2011).
 
 
 
3.2
 
Third Amended and Restated By-laws, amended effective July 23, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 28, 2014).
 
 
 
10.1*†
 
Offer Letter, dated May 4, 2015, between Celanese Corporation and Patrick D. Quarles.
 
 
 
31.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
31.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
32.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
101.INS*
 
XBRL Instance Document.
 
 
 
101.SCH*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
 
 
 
101.CAL*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
101.DEF*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
101.LAB*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
 
 
 
101.PRE*
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
*
Filed herewith
Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement

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Table of Contents

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 thereunto duly authorized.
 
CELANESE CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By: 
 /s/ MARK C. ROHR
 
 
 
Mark C. Rohr
 
 
 
Chairman of the Board of Directors and
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
July 17, 2015
 
 
By: 
 /s/ CHRISTOPHER W. JENSEN
 
 
 
Christopher W. Jensen
 
 
 
Senior Vice President, Finance and
 
 
 
Interim Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
July 17, 2015


59