Commitments and Contingencies (Purchase Obligations Narrative) (Details) (Acetyl Intermediates [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Acetyl Intermediates [Member]
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Commercial dispute resolutions, bankrupt supplier	$ 17

Cash received for the settlement of litigation during the current period related to bankrupt suppliers.

No definition available.

Name:	ce_CommercialDisputeResolutionsBankruptSupplier
Namespace Prefix:	ce_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration