Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 682	$ 740
Trade receivables - third party and affiliates (net of allowance for doubtful accounts - 2011: $9; 2010: $12)	871	827
Non-trade receivables, net	235	253
Inventories	712	610
Deferred income taxes	104	92
Marketable securities, at fair value	64	78
Assets held for sale	0	9
Other assets	35	59
Total current assets	2,703	2,668
Investments in affiliates	824	838
Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation - 2011: $1,316; 2010: $1,131)	3,269	3,017
Deferred income taxes	421	443
Other assets	344	289
Goodwill	760	774
Intangible assets, net	197	252
Total assets	8,518	8,281
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates	144	228
Trade payables - third party and affiliates	673	673
Other liabilities	539	596
Deferred income taxes	17	28
Income taxes payable	12	17
Total current liabilities	1,385	1,542
Long-term debt	2,873	2,990
Deferred income taxes	92	116
Uncertain tax positions	182	273
Benefit obligations	1,492	1,359
Other liabilities	1,153	1,075
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized (2011 and 2010: 0 issued and outstanding)	0	0
Treasury stock, at cost (2011: 22,921,294 shares; 2010: 22,269,278 shares)	(860)	(829)
Additional paid-in capital	627	574
Retained earnings	2,424	1,851
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net	(850)	(670)
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity	1,341	926
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total stockholders' equity	1,341	926
Total liabilities and equity	8,518	8,281
Series A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized (2011: 179,385,105 issued and 156,463,811 outstanding; 2010: 178,028,571 issued and 155,759,293 outstanding)
Stockholders' equity
Common stock	0	0
Series B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized (2011 and 2010: 0 issued and outstanding)
Stockholders' equity
Common stock	$ 0	$ 0