Plastics businesses of the new Celanese AG (HQ: D-65926 Frankfurt) outperformed the group´s chemical segments in 1999, ceo Claudio Sonder said at the recent annual results press conference. Earnings of engineering plastics subsidiary Ticona (D-65926 Frankfurt) were “slightly improved” against 1998, although the bottom line was still negative, due to reserves built up for a US plumbing case involving leaky pipes moulded from the company´s POM. However, Sonder said the charges will not affect the 2000 balance sheet.

Designated a Celanese core business, Ticona is now on a growth path, according to ceo Edward Munoz. The world´s second largest producer of PBT is now mulling expansion of polymerisation capacities in both Europe and Asia. The company currently has no European polymerisation, although it does have compounding capability. In the US, Ticona is building a new 30,000 t/y plant for its ultra high molecular weight PE at Bishop, Texas, and lifting nylon 6 output at Bishop by 11,000 t/y to 45,000 t/y.

OPP films producer Trespaphan (D-66539 Neunkirchen), which Celanese does not regard as a core business, will return to profit in 2000, said Celanese managing board member Ernst Schadow. Trespaphan´s portfolio is being expanded to include PP specialities for food packaging with improved barrier properties, as well as with high-end cigarette packaging. Schadow said Celanese is looking for “creative solutions” for Trespaphan to “participate in the restructurisation of the films market.”