22-05-2013

Celanese announces intent to sell two european manufacturing facilities

Celanese Corporation, a global technology and specialty materials company, today announced its intent to launch a sale process of its acetic anhydride facility in Roussillon, France, and its vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) production unit in Tarragona, Spain. Celanese is committed to taking the appropriate time to find a credible buyer for both units, with the primary focus on industrial candidates. 
 
Celanese is seeking buyers who can integrate these facilities into their  own manufacturing organizations. To help achieve this objective, the  Paris-based affiliate of JH Lillian & Co. Inc., will lead the sale  process for both the Roussillon site and the Tarragona VAM unit. JH  Lillian & Co., Inc. is an advisor specialized in the chemicals industry and with whom Celanese has successfully worked in the past. 
 
The sale process for both facilities will be open to a broad range of candidates; however, the selection of the buyers will be based on specific criteria, including the ability of the buyers to ensure sustainable operations, retain employees and their ability to meet certain financial conditions. 
 
These sale intentions in Roussillon and Tarragona are driven by a recently completed assessment of Celanese's overall corporate strategy, which included an assessment of the company's global manufacturing facilities. Specifically in support of the company's Acetyl Intermediates business, the manufacturing footprint strategy favors integrated production sites that provide critical economies of scale. 

The Celanese Roussillon site produces acetic anhydride with an annual  capacity of 34kt and has an employment base of 30 full time workers. The  Celanese Tarragona VAM unit produces vinyl acetate monomer with an annual capacity of 200kt and employs 70 full time workers.