Consolidating Guarantor Financial Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,633	$ 1,589
Cost of sales	(1,363)	(1,238)
Gross profit	270	351
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(134)	(128)
Amortization of intangible assets	(13)	(16)
Research and development expenses	(26)	(23)
Other (charges) gains, net	0	3
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	1	1
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net	0	0
Operating profit (loss)	98	188
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates	51	43
Interest expense	(45)	(55)
Refinancing expense	0	0
Interest income	1	1
Dividend income - cost investments	0	0
Other income (expense), net	2	3
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	107	180
Income tax (provision) benefit	76	(42)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	183	138
Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations	0	6
Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	0	0
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations	0	(2)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	0	4
Net earnings (loss)	183	142
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	183	142
Net earnings (loss)	183	142
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	0	0
Foreign currency translation	26	58
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps	1	9
Pension and postretirement benefits	6	3
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	33	70
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	727	722
Trade receivables - third party and affiliates	928		871
Non-trade receivables, net	207		235
Inventories, net	753		712
Deferred income taxes	104		104
Marketable securities, at fair value	63		64
Other assets	35		35
Total current assets	2,817		2,703
Investments in affiliates	762		824
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,329		3,269
Deferred income taxes	562		421
Other assets	368		344
Goodwill	783		760
Intangible assets, net	202		197
Total assets	8,823		8,518
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates	155		144
Trade payables - third party and affiliates	758		673
Other liabilities	517		539
Deferred income taxes	19		17
Income taxes payable	22		12
Total current liabilities	1,471		1,385
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	2,875		2,873
Deferred income taxes	138		92
Uncertain tax positions	176		182
Benefit obligations	1,435		1,492
Other liabilities	1,187		1,153
Total noncurrent liabilities	5,811		5,792
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity	1,541		1,341
Noncontrolling interests	0		0
Total equity	1,541		1,341
Total liabilities and equity	8,823		8,518
Operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	215	132
Investing activities
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment	(106)	(77)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(23)	(8)
Proceeds from sale of businesses and assets, net	0	4
Deferred proceeds from Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation	0	0
Capital expenditures related to Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation	(21)	(54)
Other, net	(5)	(16)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(155)	(151)
Financing activities
Short-term borrowings (repayments), net	10	(5)
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	11
Repayments of long-term debt	(8)	(9)
Refinancing costs	0	0
Proceeds and repayments from intercompany financing activities	0	0
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	(20)	(3)
Dividends from subsidiary	0	0
Dividends to parent	0	0
Contributions from parent to subsidiary	0	0
Stock option exercises	7	5
Series A common stock dividends	(10)	(8)
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Other, net	0	(2)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(21)	(11)
Exchange rate effects on cash and cash equivalents	6	12
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	45	(18)
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period	682	740
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	727	722
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	183	142
Net earnings (loss)	183	142
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	0	0
Foreign currency translation	26	58
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps	1	9
Pension and postretirement benefits	6	3
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	33	70
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	216	212
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	216	212
Parent Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Cost of sales	0	0
Gross profit	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0
Research and development expenses	0	0
Other (charges) gains, net	0	0
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	0	0
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net	0	0
Operating profit (loss)	0	0
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates	183	142
Interest expense	0	0
Refinancing expense	0	0
Interest income	0	0
Dividend income - cost investments	0	0
Other income (expense), net	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	183	142
Income tax (provision) benefit	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	183	142
Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations	0	0
Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	0	0
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations	0	0
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0
Net earnings (loss)	183	142
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	183	142
Net earnings (loss)	183	142
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	3
Trade receivables - third party and affiliates	0		0
Non-trade receivables, net	0		0
Inventories, net	0		0
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Marketable securities, at fair value	0		0
Other assets	0		0
Total current assets	0		0
Investments in affiliates	1,515		1,315
Property, plant and equipment, net	0		0
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Other assets	0		0
Goodwill	0		0
Intangible assets, net	0		0
Total assets	1,515		1,315
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates	0		0
Trade payables - third party and affiliates	0		0
Other liabilities	0		0
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Income taxes payable	(29)		(29)
Total current liabilities	(29)		(29)
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	0		0
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Uncertain tax positions	3		3
Benefit obligations	0		0
Other liabilities	0		0
Total noncurrent liabilities	3		3
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity	1,541		1,341
Noncontrolling interests	0		0
Total equity	1,541		1,341
Total liabilities and equity	1,515		1,315
Operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Investing activities
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Proceeds from sale of businesses and assets, net	0	0
Deferred proceeds from Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation	0	0
Capital expenditures related to Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	0
Financing activities
Short-term borrowings (repayments), net	0	0
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Repayments of long-term debt	0	0
Refinancing costs	0	0
Proceeds and repayments from intercompany financing activities	0	0
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	(20)	(3)
Dividends from subsidiary	23	9
Dividends to parent	0	0
Contributions from parent to subsidiary	0	0
Stock option exercises	7	5
Series A common stock dividends	(10)	(8)
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	0	3
Exchange rate effects on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	3
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	0	3
Parent Guarantor [Member] | Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	183	142
Net earnings (loss)	183	142
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	0	0
Foreign currency translation	26	58
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps	1	9
Pension and postretirement benefits	6	3
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	33	70
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	216	212
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	216	212
Issuer [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Cost of sales	0	0
Gross profit	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0
Research and development expenses	0	0
Other (charges) gains, net	0	0
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	0	0
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net	0	0
Operating profit (loss)	0	0
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates	197	178
Interest expense	(48)	(51)
Refinancing expense	0	0
Interest income	15	6
Dividend income - cost investments	0	0
Other income (expense), net	1	2
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	165	135
Income tax (provision) benefit	18	7
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	183	142
Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations	0	0
Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	0	0
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations	0	0
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0
Net earnings (loss)	183	142
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	183	142
Net earnings (loss)	183	142
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Trade receivables - third party and affiliates	0		0
Non-trade receivables, net	16		10
Inventories, net	0		0
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Marketable securities, at fair value	0		0
Other assets	4		6
Total current assets	20		16
Investments in affiliates	3,149		2,978
Property, plant and equipment, net	0		0
Deferred income taxes	17		17
Other assets	1,947		1,903
Goodwill	0		0
Intangible assets, net	0		0
Total assets	5,133		4,914
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates	1,526		1,492
Trade payables - third party and affiliates	0		0
Other liabilities	64		63
Deferred income taxes	16		16
Income taxes payable	(376)		(373)
Total current liabilities	1,230		1,198
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	2,377		2,372
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Uncertain tax positions	1		16
Benefit obligations	0		0
Other liabilities	10		13
Total noncurrent liabilities	2,388		2,401
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity	1,515		1,315
Noncontrolling interests	0		0
Total equity	1,515		1,315
Total liabilities and equity	5,133		4,914
Operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Investing activities
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Proceeds from sale of businesses and assets, net	0	0
Deferred proceeds from Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation	0	0
Capital expenditures related to Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	0
Financing activities
Short-term borrowings (repayments), net	0	0
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Repayments of long-term debt	(3)	(5)
Refinancing costs	0	0
Proceeds and repayments from intercompany financing activities	3	5
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	0	0
Dividends from subsidiary	23	9
Dividends to parent	(23)	(9)
Contributions from parent to subsidiary	0	0
Stock option exercises	0	0
Series A common stock dividends	0	0
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	0	0
Exchange rate effects on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	0	0
Issuer [Member] | Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	183	142
Net earnings (loss)	183	142
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	0	0
Foreign currency translation	26	58
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps	1	9
Pension and postretirement benefits	6	3
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	33	70
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	216	212
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	216	212
Subsidiary Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	640	615
Cost of sales	(482)	(436)
Gross profit	158	179
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(46)	(39)
Amortization of intangible assets	(5)	(4)
Research and development expenses	(16)	(13)
Other (charges) gains, net	1	19
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	0	0
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net	0	0
Operating profit (loss)	92	142
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates	40	28
Interest expense	(11)	(12)
Refinancing expense	0	0
Interest income	16	9
Dividend income - cost investments	0	0
Other income (expense), net	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	137	167
Income tax (provision) benefit	62	(44)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	199	123
Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations	0	6
Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	0	0
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations	0	(2)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	0	4
Net earnings (loss)	199	127
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	199	127
Net earnings (loss)	199	127
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	135	167
Trade receivables - third party and affiliates	322		297
Non-trade receivables, net	1,671		1,651
Inventories, net	205		187
Deferred income taxes	87		87
Marketable securities, at fair value	63		64
Other assets	14		18
Total current assets	2,497		2,437
Investments in affiliates	1,485		1,530
Property, plant and equipment, net	756		735
Deferred income taxes	524		382
Other assets	133		132
Goodwill	306		298
Intangible assets, net	79		69
Total assets	5,780		5,583
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates	180		176
Trade payables - third party and affiliates	267		258
Other liabilities	333		353
Deferred income taxes	(16)		(16)
Income taxes payable	415		384
Total current liabilities	1,179		1,155
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	835		834
Deferred income taxes	42		0
Uncertain tax positions	32		27
Benefit obligations	1,285		1,346
Other liabilities	105		99
Total noncurrent liabilities	2,299		2,306
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity	2,302		2,122
Noncontrolling interests	0		0
Total equity	2,302		2,122
Total liabilities and equity	5,780		5,583
Operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	109	102
Investing activities
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment	(54)	(32)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(23)	(8)
Proceeds from sale of businesses and assets, net	0	1
Deferred proceeds from Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation	0	0
Capital expenditures related to Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation	0	0
Other, net	(3)	(2)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(80)	(41)
Financing activities
Short-term borrowings (repayments), net	3	(6)
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Repayments of long-term debt	(1)	0
Refinancing costs	0	0
Proceeds and repayments from intercompany financing activities	(3)	(5)
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	0	0
Dividends from subsidiary	0	0
Dividends to parent	(23)	(9)
Contributions from parent to subsidiary	(3)	0
Stock option exercises	0	0
Series A common stock dividends	0	0
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Other, net	0	(2)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(27)	(22)
Exchange rate effects on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2	39
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period	133	128
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	135	167
Subsidiary Guarantors [Member] | Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	199	127
Net earnings (loss)	199	127
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	0	0
Foreign currency translation	(11)	(19)
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps	0	0
Pension and postretirement benefits	6	3
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(5)	(16)
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	194	111
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	194	111
Non-Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	1,249	1,231
Cost of sales	(1,148)	(1,051)
Gross profit	101	180
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(88)	(89)
Amortization of intangible assets	(8)	(12)
Research and development expenses	(10)	(10)
Other (charges) gains, net	(1)	(16)
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	1	1
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net	0	0
Operating profit (loss)	(5)	54
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates	42	36
Interest expense	(18)	(10)
Refinancing expense	0	0
Interest income	2	4
Dividend income - cost investments	0	0
Other income (expense), net	1	1
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	22	85
Income tax (provision) benefit	(1)	(6)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	21	79
Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations	0	0
Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	0	0
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations	0	0
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0
Net earnings (loss)	21	79
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	21	79
Net earnings (loss)	21	79
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	592	552
Trade receivables - third party and affiliates	729		694
Non-trade receivables, net	532		562
Inventories, net	602		590
Deferred income taxes	17		17
Marketable securities, at fair value	0		0
Other assets	34		45
Total current assets	2,506		2,457
Investments in affiliates	549		535
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,573		2,534
Deferred income taxes	21		22
Other assets	321		296
Goodwill	477		462
Intangible assets, net	123		128
Total assets	6,570		6,434
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates	137		131
Trade payables - third party and affiliates	614		535
Other liabilities	476		506
Deferred income taxes	19		17
Income taxes payable	14		35
Total current liabilities	1,260		1,224
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	1,691		1,650
Deferred income taxes	96		92
Uncertain tax positions	140		136
Benefit obligations	150		146
Other liabilities	1,085		1,055
Total noncurrent liabilities	3,162		3,079
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity	2,148		2,131
Noncontrolling interests	0		0
Total equity	2,148		2,131
Total liabilities and equity	6,570		6,434
Operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	106	30
Investing activities
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment	(52)	(45)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Proceeds from sale of businesses and assets, net	0	3
Deferred proceeds from Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation	0	0
Capital expenditures related to Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation	(21)	(54)
Other, net	(2)	(14)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(75)	(110)
Financing activities
Short-term borrowings (repayments), net	7	1
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	11
Repayments of long-term debt	(4)	(4)
Refinancing costs	0	0
Proceeds and repayments from intercompany financing activities	0	0
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	0	0
Dividends from subsidiary	0	0
Dividends to parent	0	0
Contributions from parent to subsidiary	3	0
Stock option exercises	0	0
Series A common stock dividends	0	0
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	6	8
Exchange rate effects on cash and cash equivalents	6	12
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	43	(60)
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period	549	612
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	592	552
Non-Guarantors [Member] | Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	21	79
Net earnings (loss)	21	79
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	0	0
Foreign currency translation	(6)	77
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps	0	0
Pension and postretirement benefits	(2)	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(8)	77
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	13	156
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	13	156
Consolidation Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	(256)	(257)
Cost of sales	267	249
Gross profit	11	(8)
Selling, general and administrative expenses	0	0
Amortization of intangible assets	0	0
Research and development expenses	0	0
Other (charges) gains, net	0	0
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	0	0
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net	0	0
Operating profit (loss)	11	(8)
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates	(411)	(341)
Interest expense	32	18
Refinancing expense	0	0
Interest income	(32)	(18)
Dividend income - cost investments	0	0
Other income (expense), net	0	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	(400)	(349)
Income tax (provision) benefit	(3)	1
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(403)	(348)
Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations	0	0
Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	0	0
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations	0	0
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	0	0
Net earnings (loss)	(403)	(348)
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	(403)	(348)
Net earnings (loss)	(403)	(348)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Trade receivables - third party and affiliates	(123)		(120)
Non-trade receivables, net	(2,012)		(1,988)
Inventories, net	(54)		(65)
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Marketable securities, at fair value	0		0
Other assets	(17)		(34)
Total current assets	(2,206)		(2,207)
Investments in affiliates	(5,936)		(5,534)
Property, plant and equipment, net	0		0
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Other assets	(2,033)		(1,987)
Goodwill	0		0
Intangible assets, net	0		0
Total assets	(10,175)		(9,728)
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates	(1,688)		(1,655)
Trade payables - third party and affiliates	(123)		(120)
Other liabilities	(356)		(383)
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Income taxes payable	(2)		(5)
Total current liabilities	(2,169)		(2,163)
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt	(2,028)		(1,983)
Deferred income taxes	0		0
Uncertain tax positions	0		0
Benefit obligations	0		0
Other liabilities	(13)		(14)
Total noncurrent liabilities	(2,041)		(1,997)
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity	(5,965)		(5,568)
Noncontrolling interests	0		0
Total equity	(5,965)		(5,568)
Total liabilities and equity	(10,175)		(9,728)
Operating activities
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	0	0
Investing activities
Capital expenditures on property, plant and equipment	0	0
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	0
Proceeds from sale of businesses and assets, net	0	0
Deferred proceeds from Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation	0	0
Capital expenditures related to Ticona Kelsterbach plant relocation	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	0	0
Financing activities
Short-term borrowings (repayments), net	0	0
Proceeds from long-term debt	0	0
Repayments of long-term debt	0	0
Refinancing costs	0	0
Proceeds and repayments from intercompany financing activities	0	0
Purchases of treasury stock, including related fees	0	0
Dividends from subsidiary	(46)	(18)
Dividends to parent	46	18
Contributions from parent to subsidiary	0	0
Stock option exercises	0	0
Series A common stock dividends	0	0
Preferred stock dividends	0	0
Other, net	0	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	0	0
Exchange rate effects on cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of beginning of period	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents as of end of period	0	0
Consolidation Eliminations [Member] | Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	(403)	(348)
Net earnings (loss)	(403)	(348)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities	0	0
Foreign currency translation	(9)	(116)
Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps	(1)	(9)
Pension and postretirement benefits	(10)	(6)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(20)	(131)
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(423)	(479)
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	$ (423)	$ (479)