Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 928	$ 682
Trade receivables - third party and affiliates (net of allowance for doubtful accounts - 2012: $9; 2011: $9)	932	871
Non-trade receivables, net	188	235
Inventories	711	712
Deferred income taxes	106	104
Marketable securities, at fair value	56	64
Other assets	47	35
Total current assets	2,968	2,703
Investments in affiliates	775	824
Property, plant and equipment (net of accumulated depreciation - 2012: $1,454; 2011: $1,316)	3,295	3,269
Deferred income taxes	539	421
Other assets	446	344
Goodwill	768	760
Intangible assets, net	174	197
Total assets	8,965	8,518
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current installments of long-term debt - third party and affiliates	141	144
Trade payables - third party and affiliates	685	673
Other liabilities	507	539
Deferred income taxes	19	17
Income taxes payable	43	12
Total current liabilities	1,395	1,385
Long-term debt	2,839	2,873
Deferred income taxes	131	92
Uncertain tax positions	189	182
Benefit obligations	1,354	1,492
Other liabilities	1,142	1,153
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized (2012 and 2011: 0 issued and outstanding)	0	0
Treasury stock, at cost (2012: 23,774,682 shares; 2011: 22,921,294 shares)	(897)	(860)
Additional paid-in capital	731	627
Retained earnings	2,903	2,424
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net	(822)	(850)
Total Celanese Corporation stockholders' equity	1,915	1,341
Noncontrolling interests	0	0
Total equity	1,915	1,341
Total liabilities and equity	8,965	8,518
Series A common stock, $0.0001 par value, 400,000,000 shares authorized (2012: 183,002,903 issued and 159,228,221 outstanding; 2011: 179,385,105 issued and 156,463,811 outstanding) [Member]
Stockholders' equity
Common stock	0	0
Series B common stock, $0.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized (2012 and 2011: 0 issued and outstanding) [Member]
Stockholders' equity
Common stock	$ 0	$ 0