Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net sales	$ 1,605	$ 1,633
Cost of sales	(1,272)	(1,359)	[1]
Gross profit	333	274	[1]
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(106)	(126)	[1]
Amortization of intangible assets	(11)	(13)
Research and development expenses	(26)	(25)	[1]
Other (charges) gains, net	(4)	0
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	(1)	1
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net	(1)	0
Operating profit (loss)	184	111	[1]
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates	54	51
Interest expense	(43)	(45)
Refinancing expense	0	0
Interest income	0	1
Dividend income - cost investments	24	0
Other income (expense), net	(1)	2
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	218	120	[1]
Income tax (provision) benefit	(77)	73	[1]
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	141	193	[1]
Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations	2	0
Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	0	0
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations	(1)	0
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	1	0
Net earnings (loss)	142	193	[1]
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	142	193	[1]
Amounts attributable to Celanese Corporation
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	141	193	[1]
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	1	0
Net earnings (loss)	$ 142	$ 193	[1]
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations	$ 0.88	$ 1.23	[1]
Discontinued operations	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	[1]
Net earnings (loss) - basic	$ 0.89	$ 1.23	[1]
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	$ 0.88	$ 1.21	[1]
Discontinued operations	$ 0.01	$ 0.00	[1]
Net earnings (loss) - diluted	$ 0.89	$ 1.21	[1]
Weighted average shares - basic	159,682,386	156,576,896
Weighted average shares - diluted	160,201,636	159,115,232

[1] As Adjusted (Note 1)