Celanese Withdraws Force Majeure Status on Acetic Acid and VAM in Western Hemisphere

Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a leading global chemical and specialty materials company, has announced the lifting of the force majeure that was in place for acetic acid and vinyl acetate monomer (VAM) in the Western Hemisphere. The company confirmed that the supply chain issues that led to this declaration have been resolved, and the underlying conditions have stabilized.

The force majeure, a legal declaration that temporarily exempts a company from fulfilling contractual obligations due to unforeseen events, was put in place to address significant disruptions in the supply chain. With these issues now addressed, Celanese is back to normal operations for these critical materials.

Mark Murray, Senior Vice President of the Acetyl Chain at Celanese, expressed relief and satisfaction with the resolution of the situation. “We are pleased to have been able to meet the product needs of nearly all our contracted customers during this challenging period,” Murray said. He attributed this success to Celanese’s robust and adaptable supply chain model, which allowed the company to manage and mitigate the impacts of the disruptions effectively.

Murray further highlighted Celanese’s commitment to preventing future disruptions by maintaining strong relationships with key raw material suppliers. “Celanese is dedicated to continuing close collaboration with all of our critical raw material suppliers,” he stated. This proactive approach aims to reduce the risk of similar issues arising in the future, ensuring a more resilient supply chain.

Celanese’s ability to navigate the challenges posed by the force majeure underscores the company’s operational strength and flexibility. By leveraging its integrated supply chain model, Celanese has managed to uphold its service commitments and support its customers despite the difficulties.

The resolution of the force majeure marks a positive step forward for Celanese as it continues to provide essential materials to its customers while focusing on strategies to enhance supply chain reliability and minimize potential disruptions.

Celanese is a prominent global leader in chemistry, providing specialty material solutions for a diverse array of major industries and consumer applications. By leveraging its expertise in chemistry, technology, and commercial operations, Celanese creates significant value for its customers, employees, and shareholders. The company is dedicated to sustainability, managing its products responsibly throughout their entire lifecycle and expanding its portfolio of sustainable solutions to meet growing customer and societal demands. Celanese also aims to make a positive impact within its communities and promote inclusivity among its teams. As a Fortune 500 company, Celanese employs approximately 12,400 people worldwide and achieved net sales of $10.9 billion in 2023.