Acetyl Chain

The Acetyl Chain generated record net sales of $1.5 billion in the first quarter due to an 8 percent sequential expansion in volume that offset a 3 percent decline in pricing. Sequential moderation in China acetic acid pricing was largely offset as the business shifted volume to the Western Hemisphere and captured higher pricing downstream in VAM, emulsions, redispersible powders (RDP), and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). In the quarter, the Acetyl Chain manufacturing team successfully completed three major turnarounds at the Clear Lake facility in methanol, acetic acid, and VAM. The Acetyl Chain offset production impacts by flexing its global footprint and sourcing from the industry to deliver first quarter GAAP operating profit of $499 million and adjusted EBIT of $503 million at margins of 32 percent and 33 percent, respectively. Across the last four quarters the Acetyl Chain has delivered over $2 billion in GAAP operating profit and adjusted EBIT