Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 _________________________________________________________________________ Form 10-K ☑ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) Delaware 98-0420726 222 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Suite 900N Irving, TX 75039-5421 December 31, 2025 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSU ...

Key Takeaways CE opened its expanded Michigan Technology Center to back its Engineered Materials 2026 growth strategy.The MTC unites piloting, prototyping and Santoprene TPV operations to speed cycles and lower costs.Expanded labs and processing space boost innovation across several product families and customer ties.Celanese Corporation (CE) has opened up its expanded Michigan Technology Center (MTC), supporting the company’s U.S.-based innovation footprint and Engineered Materials 2026 growth strategy. Th ...

Core Viewpoint - Celanese Corporation (CE) is transitioning from a declining stock trend, indicating potential recovery or growth opportunities in the specialty chemical sector [1]. Company Summary - Celanese Corporation operates in the materials sector, focusing on specialty chemicals [1]. - The company has been experiencing a downward trend in its stock price, which has recently changed, suggesting a possible turnaround [1]. Investor Insights - Individual investors, particularly those nearing retirement, are looking to build financial assets through both long and short trading strategies, including the use of inverse ETFs to capitalize on market declines [1]. - The importance of executing a trading plan and achieving absolute investing results is emphasized as a goal for investors [1].

Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE) is among the 9 Undervalued Chemical Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds. Analysts Highlight Celanese Corporation (CE)'s Operating Leverage Amid Potential Demand Cycle Celanese Corporation (NYSE:CE) is one of the best chemical stocks.  On February 18, CE’s price target was raised at Evercore ISI and Mizhou. Evercore ISI raised it by $18 while Mizhou raised it by $10. Similarly, earlier on February 5, Jefferies also upgraded CE from Hold to Buy and raised the price target ...

Core Insights - Celanese has opened an expanded Michigan Technology Center aimed at accelerating customer innovation and enhancing the development of engineered materials in North America [1] Company Developments - The new facility is designed to strengthen the company's capabilities in engineered materials, which are critical for various applications across multiple industries [1] - This expansion reflects Celanese's commitment to innovation and customer collaboration, positioning the company to better meet market demands [1] Industry Impact - The investment in the Michigan Technology Center is expected to bolster the North American engineered materials sector, potentially leading to increased competition and advancements in technology [1] - By enhancing its technological capabilities, Celanese aims to drive growth and maintain a competitive edge in the engineered materials market [1]

Core Insights - The company is focusing on divesting non-core assets to enhance its operational efficiency and is optimistic about future joint ventures despite challenges in deal execution [1][7] - Management aims to achieve $1 billion in divestiture proceeds by the end of 2027, with progress reported as being approximately halfway to this target [2][8] - The company emphasizes cash generation and balance-sheet repair, preferring divestitures over equity to manage leverage [3][7] Financial Performance and Outlook - The company anticipates a $1 to $2 increase in EPS for 2026 compared to 2025, driven by growth in Engineered Materials and cost actions, although demand is expected to be uneven [6][15] - A $30 million inventory benefit is expected in Q1 2026, but this is likely to diminish in Q2, leading to a potentially flat performance compared to Q1 [16] - Cost-saving measures include the closure of the Lanaken plant, expected to save $20 million to $25 million annually, and targeted reductions in working capital, cash taxes, and cash interest [5][20] Market Dynamics - The Acetyl Chain segment experienced profit declines due to volume and price pressures, particularly in the acetate tow business, with additional impacts from margin compression in China [9][10] - The Engineered Materials segment also faced volume and price declines, but cost actions helped mitigate some of the impacts [10] - The electronics market is currently a bright spot, driven by AI and data center developments, while the automotive sector shows mixed signals, particularly in China [12] Strategic Initiatives - The company is implementing various cost actions and pricing initiatives to improve margins, particularly in the polymer sector, where some margins have reached unsustainable levels [18][21] - Management is focused on improving operational efficiency by block operating certain assets and balancing production and procurement strategies [21] - The company is committed to a multi-year effort to reduce inventories without compromising service levels, targeting a $100 million reduction in working capital [19][20]

Core Insights - Celanese Corporation (CE) reported a fourth-quarter 2025 earnings from continuing operations of 23 cents per share, a significant improvement from a loss of $17.55 in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted earnings were 67 cents per share, down 49.6% from $1.33 a year ago, and missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 89 cents [1][9]. Financial Performance - Revenues for the quarter were $2,204 million, a decrease of approximately 7% year over year, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $2,229.9 million. The decline was attributed to reduced volumes and prices, driven by year-end destocking and a competitive environment [2]. - The Engineered Materials unit reported net sales of $1,277 million, up about 0.6% year over year, exceeding the estimate of $1,196.7 million. This segment generated an operating profit of $111 million and an adjusted EBIT of $183 million [3]. - The Acetyl Chain segment saw net sales of $940 million, down roughly 15.3% year over year, missing the estimate of $1,035.1 million. It generated an operating profit of $90 million and an adjusted EBIT of $146 million [4]. - Celanese ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $1,263 million, down approximately 12.3% sequentially. Long-term debt decreased by 2.2% sequentially to $11,394 million. Cash provided by operating activities was $252 million, with free cash flow at $160 million [5]. Future Outlook - The company anticipates volume improvements in the first quarter due to seasonality and ongoing cost reduction initiatives, projecting first-quarter adjusted earnings per share to be between 70 cents and 85 cents [6]. - Management is focused on generating cash flow to accelerate deleveraging, intensifying cost improvements, and driving top-line growth, with a target for 2026 free cash flow set at $650 to $750 million [7]. Market Performance - Celanese's shares have increased by 6.5% over the past year, compared to a 4.4% rise in the industry [8].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a decline in earnings year-over-year, with Adjusted EBIT for the Acetyl Chain down approximately $400 million and Engineered Materials down about $120 million [19][20] - The focus remains on cash generation, with a strong cash generation performance in 2025 despite the earnings decline [8][9] - The company is targeting free cash flow between $650 million and $750 million for 2026, with confidence in achieving this range through various levers [44][73] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Acetyl Chain, the decline in Adjusted EBIT was primarily driven by volume and price changes, particularly in the acetate tow business [19][20] - Engineered Materials showed a mixed performance, with both volume and price declines impacting EBIT, but cost benefits were also noted [20] - The company is seeing stabilization in the electronics market, driven by AI and data center build-outs, while the automotive sector remains mixed due to uncertainties in China [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that contract pricing for 2026 is expected to remain stable, with more competition in the spot market due to increased capacity [10] - The acetyl margins in the Western Hemisphere are performing better than in the Eastern Hemisphere, where overcapacity remains a challenge [78] - Demand in China is currently low due to the Lunar New Year, but pricing has remained stable leading into the holiday [65][66] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on divesting non-core assets, with a target of $1 billion in divestitures by the end of 2027, and is currently about halfway to that goal [16][75] - The strategy emphasizes cash generation and cost reduction, with a focus on driving growth in Engineered Materials through innovation and customer partnerships [22][81] - The company is adapting to structural changes in the market, particularly the shift from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles in China [36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate the current operating environment, emphasizing the importance of cash flow and cost management [40][82] - The outlook for 2026 includes expectations for growth in Engineered Materials, while the Acetyl Chain may face challenges [21][22] - Management acknowledged the potential for macroeconomic factors to impact performance but remains focused on executing their strategic plan [72][82] Other Important Information - The company is experiencing a moderate seasonal improvement in demand, particularly in the coatings space, but has not seen substantial changes in the acetate tow market [86] - The company is actively pursuing divestitures and has a robust pipeline of potential deals, with a focus on joint ventures [89] - Management is committed to maintaining service levels while reducing working capital, targeting an additional $100 million in inventory reductions [38][52] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on selling equity to address balance sheet issues - Management emphasized a focus on cash generation and debt management rather than selling equity, indicating confidence in their current strategy [8][9] Question: Pricing expectations for contracts in 2026 - Management noted little change in contract pricing but highlighted increased competition in the spot market [10] Question: Stability in engineering materials and macro assumptions for 2026 - Electronics is a bright spot, while the automotive sector shows mixed signals, particularly in China [13][14] Question: Timing and potential assets for divestiture - Management is optimistic about completing additional deals this year and is focusing on non-core business areas [16] Question: Analysis of EBIT changes in Acetyl Chain and Engineered Materials - The decline was driven by volume and price changes, with specific challenges noted in the acetate tow business [19][20] Question: Expectations for earnings uplift in 2026 - Management is targeting a $1-$2 uplift in EPS, contingent on demand recovery and cost management efforts [26][27] Question: Free cash flow guidance and working capital management - Management remains confident in achieving free cash flow targets despite potential headwinds from working capital changes [40][73] Question: Capacity additions in nylon and POM chains - The company is focused on flexibility in operations and is taking advantage of overcapacity in certain markets [47] Question: Future of acetyl margins in China - Management does not anticipate significant uplifts in acetyl pricing in China, given current overcapacity [66] Question: Consolidation opportunities in acetate tow industry - Management remains open to exploring consolidation opportunities but sees no significant changes in industry fundamentals [99]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a decline in earnings year-over-year, with a focus on cash generation despite the earnings drop [7][8] - Adjusted EBIT for the Acetyl Chain was down approximately $400 million, while Engineered Materials saw a decrease of about $120 million, primarily driven by volume and price changes [18][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Acetyl Chain, the decline was largely attributed to volume and price pressures, particularly in the acetate tow business [18][19] - Engineered Materials experienced a mixed performance, with volume and price declines offset by cost benefits [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The electronics market is showing positive signs due to global demand from AI and data centers, while the automotive sector remains mixed, particularly in China [12][13] - The company noted that contract pricing for 2026 is expected to remain stable, with more competition in the spot market due to increased capacity [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on cash generation and has plans for divestitures totaling $1 billion by the end of 2027, with a current target of achieving half that amount this year [15][16] - The strategy includes prioritizing parts of the business that align with core operating models and enhancing operational efficiency [15][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to generate free cash flow between $650 million and $750 million, despite a challenging operating environment [43][74] - The company is prepared for various demand scenarios and is focused on cost reduction and operational efficiency to drive growth [27][73] Other Important Information - The company is experiencing a significant reduction in debt maturities over the next couple of years, which positions it well for recovery [8] - Management indicated that the first half of 2026 is expected to be more challenging, with a focus on the second half for potential growth [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on selling equity to address balance sheet issues - Management emphasized a focus on cash generation and debt management rather than equity sales [7] Question: Pricing expectations for contracts in 2026 - Management indicated little change in contract pricing, with more competition in the spot market [9] Question: Stabilization in engineering materials and macro assumptions for 2026 - Electronics are a bright spot, while automotive remains mixed, particularly in China [12][13] Question: Timing and potential assets for divestiture - Management is optimistic about completing additional deals this year to meet divestiture targets [15][16] Question: Analysis of EBIT changes in Acetyl Chain and Engineered Materials - The decline was primarily driven by volume and price changes, with some margin compression noted [18][19] Question: Expectations for earnings growth in 2026 - Management believes Engineered Materials has more controllable growth opportunities compared to the Acetyl Chain [20][21] Question: Free cash flow guidance and working capital management - Management is confident in achieving free cash flow targets through various levers, including working capital reductions [37][43] Question: Impact of capacity additions in Nylon and POM chains - The company is focused on flexibility in operations and is taking advantage of overcapacity in certain regions [46] Question: Expectations for acetyl pricing in China - Management does not anticipate significant uplifts in pricing, with demand currently low due to the Lunar New Year [65][67]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a decline in earnings year-over-year, with Adjusted EBIT in the Acetyl Chain down approximately $400 million and Engineered Materials down about $120 million [17][19] - The focus remains on cash generation, with a strong cash generation performance in 2025 despite the earnings decline [6][7] - The company is targeting free cash flow between $650 million and $750 million for 2026, with various scenarios considered for demand [44][72] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Acetyl Chain, the decline was primarily driven by volume and price, with significant impacts from the acetate tow business and margin compression in China [18][19] - Engineered Materials showed a mixed performance, with both volume and price declines, but cost benefits were noted [19] - The company anticipates growth in Engineered Materials, particularly in electronics and automotive sectors, while the Acetyl Chain may face challenges [21][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The electronics market is currently a bright spot, driven by AI and data center build-outs, while the automotive sector shows mixed signals, particularly in China [12][13] - The company noted some softness in the automotive market in China due to changes in EV credits and stimulus [12] - The demand environment is expected to improve in the second half of 2026, with seasonal improvements noted in early 2026 [86] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on cash generation and reducing debt, with plans to achieve $1 billion in divestitures by the end of 2027 [14][75] - There is a strategic emphasis on divesting non-core business segments, particularly joint ventures [14][15] - The company aims to adapt to structural changes in the market, such as the shift from ICE to EV in China, and is working on enhancing operational efficiency [36][81] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate the current operating environment, emphasizing the importance of cost reduction and cash flow generation [6][40] - The outlook for 2026 includes expectations for improved EBIT growth in Engineered Materials, while the Acetyl Chain may face challenges [20][21] - Management highlighted the need for continued evaluation of market conditions and operational adjustments to maintain profitability [80][81] Other Important Information - The company expects a cost benefit of $20 million to $25 million from the closure of the Lanaken plant, with some benefits expected to materialize in 2026 [9][106] - The company is actively managing working capital and inventory levels to avoid service issues while targeting further reductions [51][52] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on selling equity to address balance sheet issues - Management emphasized a focus on cash generation and debt management rather than equity sales, indicating confidence in the current strategy [6] Question: Expectations for pricing in contracts for 2026 - Management noted little change in contract pricing, with more competition observed in the spot market [8] Question: Sequential improvement in engineering materials - Management identified electronics as a bright spot, while the automotive sector remains mixed, particularly in China [12][13] Question: Timing and potential assets for divestiture - Management is confident in achieving the $1 billion divestiture target by 2027, with a focus on non-core business segments [14][15] Question: Analysis of EBIT changes in Acetyl Chain and Engineered Materials - Management attributed declines to volume and price changes, with specific challenges noted in the acetate tow business [18][19] Question: Free cash flow guidance and working capital management - Management expressed confidence in achieving free cash flow targets through various levers, despite potential demand challenges [40][72] Question: Expectations for acetyl pricing in China - Management does not anticipate significant uplifts in acetyl pricing, citing overcapacity as a concern [66][67] Question: Impact of turnaround on second quarter earnings - Management indicated that turnaround expenses would be a factor in Q2 earnings, with expectations for a similar lift as previously noted [68]