A Look at Celanese (CE) Valuation Following Lanaken Acetate Tow Facility Closure Announcement

Celanese (CE) is planning to shut down its acetate tow facility in Lanaken in the second half of 2026 after a detailed strategic review. The decision reflects slowing demand, ongoing regulatory uncertainty, and the need to manage costs at the site.

See our latest analysis for Celanese.

Celanese’s decision to wind down its Lanaken acetate tow facility comes after a challenging year for shareholders, with the stock posting a 1-year total shareholder return of -58.9% and a year-to-date share price return of -45.4%. Recent momentum has faded after the closure announcement. While long-term performance remains deeply negative, the latest news seems to have further weighed on sentiment rather than offering a turnaround catalyst.

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With shares trading at a steep discount to analyst targets and long-term returns in the red, investors may be considering whether the current valuation reflects future risks or if this could represent a rare entry point for opportunistic investors.

Most Popular Narrative: 30.4% Undervalued

Celanese’s most widely followed narrative places its fair value well above the recent close, sparking renewed debate over where the company heads next. With analysts split and some powerful numbers driving the consensus, the story behind this valuation reveals much about Celanese’s prospects.

Strategic cost optimization, such as supply chain consolidation, SKU rationalization, inventory reduction, and streamlined SG&A, has materially lowered the company's fixed cost base, enhancing operating leverage and supporting higher EBITDA margins and net earnings when volumes recover. Celanese's investments in green chemistry and downstream product diversification position it to capture share as demand accelerates for sustainable materials driven by both tightening environmental regulation and increased consumer focus on circular solutions, supporting long-term top-line and margin expansion.

Read the complete narrative.

Want to know the bold numbers motivating analysts? They are betting on a major turnaround, with future margins and earnings growth signaling a possible comeback for Celanese. Curious what assumptions are fueling such optimism and what that means for the share price? The full narrative details surprising forecast shifts and the rationale behind the upside case. Find out what could change the game.

Result: Fair Value of $53.69 (UNDERVALUED)

Have a read of the narrative in full and understand what's behind the forecasts.

However, persistent weak end-market demand or further margin compression in core regions could challenge the optimistic turnaround scenario that analysts are forecasting for Celanese.

Find out about the key risks to this Celanese narrative.

Build Your Own Celanese Narrative

If you see things differently or prefer taking a hands-on approach to your research, you can craft your own narrative in just minutes. So why not Do it your way?

A great starting point for your Celanese research is our analysis highlighting 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign that could impact your investment decision.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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