Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Net sales	$ 6,763	$ 5,918	$ 5,082
Cost of sales	(5,329)	(4,738)	(4,079)
Gross profit	1,434	1,180	1,003
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(536)	(505)	(474)
Amortization of intangible assets	(62)	(61)	(77)
Research and development expenses	(96)	(70)	(70)
Other (charges) gains, net	(48)	(46)	(136)
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	0	(3)	2
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net	(2)	8	42
Operating profit (loss)	690	503	290
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates	192	168	99
Interest expense	(221)	(204)	(207)
Refinancing expense	(3)	(16)	0
Interest income	3	7	8
Dividend income - cost investments	80	73	57
Other income (expense), net	14	7	4
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	755	538	251
Income tax (provision) benefit	(149)	(112)	243
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	606	426	494
Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations	2	(80)	6
Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	0	2	0
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations	(1)	29	(2)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	1	(49)	4
Net earnings (loss)	607	377	498
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	607	377	498
Cumulative preferred stock dividends	0	(3)	(10)
Net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders	607	374	488
Amounts attributable to Celanese Corporation
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	606	426	494
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	1	(49)	4
Net earnings (loss)	$ 607	$ 377	$ 498
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations	$ 3.88	$ 2.73	$ 3.37
Discontinued operations	$ 0.01	$ (0.31)	$ 0.03
Net earnings (loss) - basic	$ 3.89	$ 2.42	$ 3.40
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	$ 3.81	$ 2.69	$ 3.14
Discontinued operations	$ 0.01	$ (0.31)	$ 0.03
Net earnings (loss) - diluted	$ 3.82	$ 2.38	$ 3.17
Weighted average shares - basic	156,204,077	154,564,136	143,688,749
Weighted average shares - diluted	158,947,834	158,372,192	157,115,521