Name:	ce_OneTimeTerminationBenefits
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Other (Charges) Gains, Net [Line Items].

No definition available.

Name:	ce_OtherChargesGainsNetLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	ce_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Plant office closures.

No definition available.

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

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123570139&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=123351718&loc=d3e2420-110228

Name:	us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Amount of gain (loss) recognized in settlement of litigation and insurance claims. Excludes claims within an insurance entity's normal claims settlement process.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121557415&loc=d3e14326-108349

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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The amount of loss pertaining to the specified contingency that was charged against earnings in the period, including the effects of revisions in previously reported estimates.