The advanced engineered materials segment of acetyls producer Celanese (Dallas, Texas / USA; www.celanese.com) has reported an operating profit (EBITDA) of USD 396m for 2011, up from USD 363m in the previous year. Sales in the segment, which embraces the company’s engineered polymers business, increased by 17% to USD 1.3 bn in the year. Overall, the company reported a 21% year-on-year increase in operating profit to USD 1.36 bn on sales up 14% at USD 6.76 bn. Operating profit growth was boosted by a 37% year-on-year increase to USD 562m in the company’s acetyl intermediates segment.

Commenting on the results, David Weidman, Celanese chairman and CEO, said: “Celanese delivered a record annual performance in 2011 as the earnings power of our leading global businesses helped to mitigate the impact of weakened economic conditions near the end of the fourth quarter, particularly in Europe.”

The company said that, based on improving orders in the first quarter of 2012, confidence in the strength of its business and moderate global growth, it expects 2012 adjusted earnings per share to be above consensus estimates.