Celanese to Receive Advance Payment for Ticona Relocation

Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE), a leading global chemical company, today announced that it has reached an agreement with the Frankfurt, Germany, Airport (Fraport AG) to receive an advance payment of €323 million associated with the relocation of its Ticona business in Kelsterbach, Germany. This advance payment will be in lieu of the payments of €200 million and €140 million originally scheduled to be paid in June 2009 and June 2010, respectively.

“Receiving this advance payment from Fraport is a cost-effective way to manage the expenses and cash associated with the relocation,” said Steven Sterin, senior vice president and chief financial officer.

In the original settlement agreement finalized in 2007, Fraport agreed to pay the company a total of €670 million over a five-year period for the costs associated with the transition of the Ticona business from the current location and the closure of the Kelsterbach plant. Since the agreement’s inception, the company has received €220 million in proceeds associated with the settlement and expects to receive a final payment of €110 million in 2011 in accordance with the original terms of the agreement. Ticona’s operations will be relocated from Kelsterbach to the Hoechst Industrial Park in the Rhine Main area by mid-2011.