Celanese Acetate to Consolidate Manufacturing and Exit Filament Business.

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Celanese Acetate LLC (NYSE:CZ) (FWB:CZZ) today announced plans to consolidate its acetate flake and tow manufacturing and to exit the acetate filament business.

"We are implementing this strategic plan to become more efficient, reduce overcapacities in certain manufacturing areas, and focus on products and markets that provide long-term value," said Doug Madden, president, Celanese Acetate.

Acetate flake and tow manufacturing will be consolidated into three locations: Narrows, Va.; Ocotlan, Mexico; and Lanaken, Belgium. During 2005, acetate flake production at the Rock Hill, S.C. facility will be phased out, and a flake production unit at Ocotlan will be re-commissioned.

The Edmonton, Canada acetate tow production unit will discontinue operations in mid-year 2005, while flake production at Edmonton will be phased out in late 2006 or early 2007.

The decision to exit the acetate filament business stems from a deterioration of overall business conditions related to the substitution of non-acetate fibers into traditional market applications. Acetate filament operations at Narrows and Ocotlan will be discontinued by mid-year 2005.

"Celanese has been a pioneer in the acetate filament industry since the 1920s," said Madden. "Unfortunately, the long-term market outlook and the related economic conditions no longer allow us to allocate resources to this product line. We will remain committed to ensuring a smooth transition of supply for our filament customers."

When the restructuring is complete, it is anticipated that approximately 900 to 1,100 positions will be impacted. This represents about 10% of the Celanese Group worldwide. Approximately 700 of the impacted positions are related to the exit of the filament business.

"While the decisions announced today are difficult, we will, as always, do everything possible to help our employees through the transition," said Madden. "At the same time, we have taken the steps necessary to help position our remaining operations to compete efficiently and effectively. We look forward to continuing our leadership role in the acetate industry by applying our technology and application efforts to the existing and future uses for acetate products."

Acetate flake is the raw material used to manufacture filament and tow. Acetate tow is used in a variety of filtering applications by end-use manufacturers. Acetate filament is used in apparel fashions, linings and home furnishings.

About Celanese Acetate and Celanese Group

Celanese Acetate LLC is one of the companies that comprises the Celanese Group, which is controlled by investment funds advised by The Blackstone Group. Celanese holds worldwide leading positions in its key products and world class process technology. The Celanese Group portfolio consists of four main businesses: Chemical Products, Acetate Products, Technical Polymers Ticona and Performance Products. In 2003, the Celanese Group generated sales of around $4.6 billion with about 9,500 employees. The Celanese Group has 24 production plants and six research centers in 10 countries mainly in North America, Europe and Asia. For further information about Celanese, please visit our website www.celanese.com.