Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Q3 2025

no prior guidance

$1.10 to $1.40 " "

no prior guidance

Inventory Reduction Impact

Q3 2025

no prior guidance

$25 million sequential negative impact " "

no prior guidance

Cost Savings

Q3 2025

no prior guidance

$0.15 to $0.20 per share cost savings and an additional $0.15 to $0.20 per share benefit "

no prior guidance

Acetyl Chain Segment

Q3 2025

no prior guidance

Sequential improvement expected due to the absence of turnarounds " "

no prior guidance

Engineered Materials Segment

Q3 2025

no prior guidance

Anticipated weaker demand driven by inventory destocking and order timing "

no prior guidance

Free Cash Flow

FY 2025

$700 million to $800 million " "

$700 million to $800 million "

no change

Cost Structure Optimization

Previously, Celanese emphasized aggressive, cross‐corporate cost initiatives including inventory reductions, plant rate adjustments, and targeted synergies across Q1 2025, Q4 2024, and Q3 2024 " " " " "

In Q2 2025, the focus is on executing specific cost actions—such as footprint reduction in acetyls, targeted pricing in Engineered Materials, and clear initiatives to achieve a $2 EPS quarterly target " "

Recurring focus with a more refined and tangible execution strategy.

Cash Generation

Past calls (Q1, Q4, Q3) highlighted free cash flow generation through divestitures, working capital reductions, and robust operating cash flow, enabling debt paydowns despite market challenges " " " " "

In Q2 2025, cash generation remains central with guidance of $700–$800 million in free cash flow, with further emphasis on operational cash generation and multi‐year working capital improvements " "

Steady focus with continuous efforts to optimize operating cash flow and working capital.

Demand Uncertainty

Earlier periods (Q1, Q4, Q3) reported significant uncertainty in demand with cautions about seasonal volume changes, inventory rebalancing, and macro headwinds " " " " "

In Q2 2025, uncertainty persists with weak demand noted in regions such as the Western Hemisphere and ongoing cautious customer behavior due to geopolitical and market factors " "

A consistently recurring challenge with continued cautious sentiment.

Recovery Trends

In Q1 and Q4 2024, executives expressed cautious optimism that the measures being taken would spur long‐term earnings recovery as demand stabilizes, despite immediate uncertainties " " "

Q2 2025 maintains a focus on being prepared for a recovery, emphasizing operational readiness and cost improvements that position the company for future demand rebounds, even though current conditions remain challenging " "

Continued tentative optimism; strategic readiness despite persistent near-term uncertainty.

Electric Vehicle Market Dynamics

Q1 2025 discussions emphasized strong EV growth in China with a 20% volume increase, focused on local OEM partnerships, while earlier Q4 and Q3 highlighted technical advantages in EV applications " " "

In Q2 2025, Celanese notes a slight pullback in global EV demand—especially with lower volumes driven by weak orders in China—yet underscores that EVs will continue to be a key area with varied regional dynamics "

A shift from robust growth toward a more cautious, regionally nuanced outlook.

Product Portfolio Diversification

Prior periods (notably Q1 and Q4 2024) stressed diversification within Engineered Materials with a broad polymer portfolio and addressing challenges in segments like nylon " " "

In Q2 2025, diversification efforts continue with an emphasis on expanding into non-automotive applications by leveraging engineered materials and targeting growth areas within automotive (e.g. EV propulsion, cooling systems) " "

Consistent commitment; diversification strategy remains a key pillar with evolving application focus.

Strategic Divestitures & Asset Optimization

Q1, Q4, and Q3 calls detailed divestiture plans (e.g. Electronic Inks and Pastes) and asset optimizations including footprint reductions and focus on core assets, alongside reducing third‐party acetic acid exposure " " " " "

In Q2 2025, the MicroMax divestiture process is actively progressing with multiple bidding rounds, and asset optimization continues with a pivot from low-margin third‐party acetic acid to higher value downstream products " "

Ongoing and accelerating efforts, with a more defined and active divestiture process.

Debt Management, Leverage & Capital Allocation

Past periods (Q1, Q4, Q3) emphasized deleveraging via robust free cash flow, dividend adjustments, targeted debt repayments, and cost reductions to sustainably lower leverage " " " " " "

Q2 2025 continues this disciplined approach by extending the revolver to 2030, planning to use free cash flows and divestiture proceeds to manage near-term debt, and maintaining an opportunistic stance in capital markets " "

Consistent focus with ongoing refinement of financing tools and capital allocation measures.

Margin Pressure, Pricing Dynamics & Overcapacity Concerns

In Q1 and earlier periods, margin erosion in segments such as nylon and acetyls due to price compressions and overcapacity—especially in Asia—was a central concern, prompting price actions and production adjustments " " " "

In Q2 2025, margin challenges persist with unsustainable pricing in the acetyl chain prompting a pivot to downstream products, alongside overcapacity concerns in Asia and pressure on standard grade pricing across segments " " "

An enduring challenge with recurring pressure on margins and pricing, maintaining a cautious tone.

Technological Leadership & Production Advantages

Q1 discussions stressed Celanese’s leading engineered materials portfolio and its strong downstream capabilities in acetyls and acetic acid, with emphasis on technological advantage and cost leadership " " "

Q2 2025 reinforces these advantages by highlighting the lowest-cost, low-carbon acetic acid production in the Western Hemisphere and further investments in downstream value (e.g. emulsions and redispersible powders) as well as operational integration in Engineered Materials " " "

A steady strategic pillar, with more vivid articulation of operational cost advantages and technology differentiation.

Inventory Management & Order Book Visibility

In Q1 and Q3 2024, focus was on rebalancing excess inventory and the challenges of shifting customer order patterns—with moderate order book visibility improvements in Engineered Materials but uncertainty overall " " " "

Q2 2025 sees ongoing multi‐year inventory reduction efforts in Engineered Materials alongside recognition of very short order book visibility (2 weeks for EM and acetyals), creating operational challenges for forecasting " " "

Continued emphasis on inventory discipline amidst tougher order visibility and demand forecasting challenges.

Geographic Market Dynamics

Earlier calls (Q1, Q4, Q3) highlighted strong focus on China’s growth potential—especially in automotive—and recognized regional weaknesses in Europe, with balanced global revenue exposure " " " "

In Q2 2025, Celanese reports a pullback in Chinese automotive orders and very low demand in the Western Hemisphere (lowest in 20 years), while still pursuing strategic adjustments to capture opportunities across regions " " " "

A mixed picture: robust growth opportunities in some areas are counterbalanced by marked regional weaknesses.

Expansion into Non-Automotive High-Growth Markets & Applications

In Q3 and Q4 2024, Celanese began emphasizing expansion beyond automotive, with initial wins in elastomeric products for athletic footwear and early moves into medical and connectivity segments " " "

Q2 2025 reaffirms this expansion with explicit focus on non-automotive high-growth areas such as drug delivery, performance footwear, fibers, hydrogen clean energy, and oil & gas — signaling an intensified diversification approach "

Emerging emphasis with a more detailed and broadened strategy into non-automotive high-growth markets.