Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Net sales	$ 1,609	$ 1,807	$ 4,917	$ 5,149
Cost of sales	(1,285)	(1,406)	(3,992)	(3,987)
Gross profit	324	401	925	1,162
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(121)	(140)	(379)	(408)
Amortization of intangible assets	(12)	(17)	(38)	(50)
Research and development expenses	(24)	(24)	(76)	(72)
Other (charges) gains, net	2	(24)	(1)	(39)
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	(4)	1	(4)	1
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net	(2)	(1)	(2)	(1)
Operating profit (loss)	163	196	425	593
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates	50	57	163	146
Interest expense	(44)	(54)	(134)	(166)
Refinancing expense	0	0	0	(3)
Interest income	0	1	1	2
Dividend income - cost investments	1	1	85	80
Other income (expense), net	3	0	4	9
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	173	201	544	661
Income tax (provision) benefit	(54)	(34)	(32)	(151)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	119	167	512	510
Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations	(3)	0	(3)	3
Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	0	0	0	0
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations	1	0	1	(1)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(2)	0	(2)	2
Net earnings (loss)	117	167	510	512
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	117	167	510	512
Cumulative preferred stock dividends	0	0	0	0
Net earnings (loss) available to common stockholders	117	167	510	512
Amounts attributable to Celanese Corporation
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	119	167	512	510
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(2)	0	(2)	2
Net earnings (loss)	$ 117	$ 167	$ 510	$ 512
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations	$ 0.75	$ 1.07	$ 3.24	$ 3.27
Discontinued operations	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01
Net earnings (loss) - basic	$ 0.74	$ 1.07	$ 3.23	$ 3.28
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	$ 0.74	$ 1.05	$ 3.21	$ 3.21
Discontinued operations	$ (0.01)	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)	$ 0.01
Net earnings (loss) - diluted	$ 0.73	$ 1.05	$ 3.20	$ 3.22
Weighted average shares - basic	159,123,808	156,194,459	157,936,063	156,147,982
Weighted average shares - diluted	160,094,904	159,018,839	159,644,166	158,965,811