Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Net sales	$ 5,674	$ 6,802	$ 6,510
Cost of sales	(4,356)	(5,186)	(5,145)
Gross profit	1,318	1,616	1,365
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(506)	(758)	(311)
Amortization of intangible assets	(11)	(20)	(32)
Research and development expenses	(119)	(86)	(85)
Other (charges) gains, net	(351)	15	(158)
Foreign exchange gain (loss), net	4	(2)	(6)
Gain (loss) on disposition of businesses and assets, net	(9)	(7)	735
Operating profit (loss)	326	758	1,508
Equity in net earnings (loss) of affiliates	181	246	180
Interest expense	(119)	(147)	(172)
Refinancing expense	0	(29)	(1)
Interest income	1	1	1
Dividend income - cost investments	107	116	93
Other income (expense), net	(8)	(4)	0
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before tax	488	941	1,609
Income tax (provision) benefit	(201)	(314)	(508)
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	287	627	1,101
Earnings (loss) from operation of discontinued operations	(3)	(11)	0
Gain (loss) on disposition of discontinued operations	0	0	0
Income tax (provision) benefit from discontinued operations	1	4	0
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(2)	(7)	0
Net earnings (loss)	285	620	1,101
Net (earnings) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	19	4	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Celanese Corporation	304	624	1,101
Amounts attributable to Celanese Corporation
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	306	631	1,101
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations	(2)	(7)	0
Net earnings (loss)	$ 304	$ 624	$ 1,101
Earnings (loss) per common share - basic
Continuing operations	$ 2.03	$ 4.07	$ 6.93
Discontinued operations	(0.01)	(0.04)	0.00
Net earnings (loss) - basic	2.02	4.03	6.93
Earnings (loss) per common share - diluted
Continuing operations	2.01	4.04	6.91
Discontinued operations	(0.01)	(0.04)	0.00
Net earnings (loss) - diluted	$ 2.00	$ 4.00	$ 6.91
Weighted average shares - basic	150,838,050	155,012,370	158,801,150
Weighted average shares - diluted	152,287,955	156,166,993	159,334,219