Gasgoo Munich-Celanese has released its financial results for the third quarter of 2026. Net sales climbed to $2.6 billion — a 6% increase from the same period in 2025 — driven by strategic growth initiatives and commercial actions within its product portfolio. However, sales slipped 7% from the previous quarter, reflecting an expected pullback following a strong second quarter.
Image source: Celanese
On the profitability front, Celanese reported third-quarter GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.68, with adjusted EPS reaching $1.65. The company posted consolidated operating income of $198 million, adjusted EBITDA of $367 million, and operating EBITDA of $548 million, translating to margins of 8%, 14%, and 21%, respectively.
Turning to cash flow, Celanese generated $538 million in operating cash flow and $461 million in free cash flow during the third quarter. Year-to-date figures stand at $823 million and $604 million, respectively — gains largely attributed to favorable working capital timing and rigorous capital expenditure management.
Breaking down by segment, the Engineering Materials business recorded net sales of $1.4 billion — a 1% year-over-year decline. The now-divested Micromax business weighed on the comparison, contributing 6 percentage points to that drop. Sequentially, sales fell 5%, primarily due to a pullback in automotive revenue, though strong performance in medical and electronics markets partially offset the impact. The segment posted operating income of $161 million, adjusted EBITDA of $209 million, and operating EBITDA of $311 million, with margins of 12%, 15%, and 23%.
The Acetyl Chain segment generated $1.2 billion in net sales, surging 14% from the previous year. Strength across acetic acid, derivatives, and vinyl product lines helped positive pricing and incremental spot opportunities outweigh slightly softer demand. On a quarterly basis, sales dipped 9%, reflecting an anticipated normalization following supply chain adjustments. The unit delivered operating income of $141 million, adjusted EBITDA of $236 million, and operating EBITDA of $301 million, achieving margins of 12%, 20%, and 25%.
Regarding taxation, Celanese’s GAAP effective tax rate for the quarter stood at 15% — higher than the prior-year period. This increase stems largely from a $1.1 billion non-deductible, non-cash goodwill impairment charge recorded in the Engineering Materials segment during the previous year. The effective tax rate on adjusted earnings was 8%.
