Description of the Company and Basis of Presentation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Accounting Policy Regarding Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

The retrospective effect of the change in accounting policy for pension and other postretirement benefits to the consolidated statement of operations is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
	As Previously Reported		Effect of Change		As Adjusted
	(In $ millions, except per share data)
Cost of sales	(1,363	)	4		(1,359	)
Gross profit	270		4		274
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(134	)	8		(126	)
Research and development expenses	(26	)	1		(25	)
Operating profit (loss)	98		13		111
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	107		13		120
Income tax (provision) benefit	76		(3	)	73
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	183		10		193
Net earnings (loss)	183		10		193
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	183		10		193
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations	1.17		0.06		1.23
Discontinued operations	—		—		—
Net earnings (loss) - basic	1.17		0.06		1.23
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	1.15		0.06		1.21
Discontinued operations	—		—		—
Net earnings (loss) - diluted	1.15		0.06		1.21

The retrospective effect of the change in accounting policy for pension and other postretirement benefits to the consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
	As Previously Reported	Effect of Change		As Adjusted
	(In $ millions)
Net earnings (loss)	183	10		193
Pension and postretirement benefits	6	(10	)	(4	)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	33	(10	)	23
Total comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	216	—		216
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to Celanese Corporation	216	—		216

The retrospective effect of the change in accounting policy for pension and other postretirement benefits to the consolidated balance sheet is as follows:

	As of December 31, 2012
	As Previously Reported		Effect of Change		As Adjusted
	(In $ millions)
Retained earnings	2,986		(993	)	1,993
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net	(1,082	)	993		(89	)

The cumulative effect of the change in accounting policy for pension and other postretirement benefits on Retained earnings as of December 31, 2011 was a decrease of $760 million, with an equivalent increase to Accumulated other comprehensive income.

The retrospective effect of the change in accounting policy for pension and other postretirement benefits to the consolidated statement of cash flows is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
	As Previously Reported		Effect of Change		As Adjusted
	(In $ millions)
Net earnings (loss)	183		10		193
Pension and postretirement benefit expense	—		3		3
Pension and postretirement contributions	—		(66	)	(66	)
Deferred income taxes, net	(94	)	3		(91	)
Other liabilities	(82	)	50		(32	)

The retrospective effect of the change in accounting policy for pension and other postretirement benefits to the business segment financial information (Note 18) is as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
	As Previously Reported		Effect of Change	As Adjusted
	(In $ millions)
Operating Profit (Loss)
Advanced Engineered Materials	21		3	24
Consumer Specialties	39		1	40
Industrial Specialties	19		1	20
Acetyl Intermediates	60		2	62
Other Activities	(41	)	6	(35	)
Total	98		13	111