(DALLAS) October 17, 2003 – The Celanese Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVOH) business today announced that Brenntag, Inc., is distributing its full product line in the United States. Celanese, a global chemicals company, is one of the largest producers and merchant marketers of polyvinyl alcohol products in the U.S.

“The distribution agreement with Brenntag enables us to provide better service and logistics to end-users in textile, processing, adhesives and building products, paper and fibers, and growing specialty markets,” said Bill Massa, Vice President of the PVOH business. “It is one of the many steps we are taking to bring more value to a wider range of customers.”

Bill Fidler, Executive Vice President of Brenntag, Inc., added, “The synergy of Polyvinyl Alcohol with our product portfolio and our customer base will allow us to grow sales in alignment with the Celanese PVOH strategy. We’re excited about the opportunities this provides to our customers.”

About Celanese Polyvinyl Alcohol and Celanese AG
The Celanese Polyvinyl Alcohol business is part of Celanese Chemicals, a core business of Celanese AG, a global chemicals company with leading positions in its key products and world class process technology.  The Celanese portfolio consists of Acetyl Products, Chemical Intermediates, Acetate Products, Technical Polymers Ticona and Performance Products.  In 2002, Celanese AG generated sales of around € 4.3 billion and had 10,700 employees.  The company has 24 production plants and six research centers in 10 countries mainly in North America, Europe and Asia.  Celanese AG shares are listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange (stock exchange symbol CZZ) and on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol CZ).  For more information, please visit http://www.celanese.com.

About Brenntag, Inc.
Brenntag, Inc., headquartered in Reading, Pennsylvania, is a full-line chemical distributor with 2002 North American Sales of $1.55 billion.  For more information, please visit http://www.brenntaginc.com.