CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 175.5	$ 211.4
Accounts receivable, net	2,574.3	2,571.4
Inventories	1,541.8	1,446.5
Other current assets	305.2	365.0
Total current assets	4,596.8	4,594.3
Property, plant and equipment, net	3,779.9	3,707.1
Goodwill	7,303.0	7,167.1
Other intangible assets, net	4,012.2	4,017.6
Other assets	492.4	477.4
Total assets	20,184.3	19,963.5
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	1,017.8	564.4
Accounts payable	1,229.1	1,177.1
Compensation and benefits	497.0	549.4
Income taxes	170.0	183.6
Other current liabilities	1,068.9	1,000.7
Total current liabilities	3,982.8	3,475.2
Long-term debt	6,397.7	6,758.3
Postretirement health care and pension benefits	1,027.7	1,025.5
Deferred income taxes	652.8	635.4
Other liabilities	453.4	415.3
Total liabilities	12,514.4	12,309.7
Equity
Common stock	355.5	354.7
Additional paid-in capital	5,496.5	5,435.7
Retained earnings	8,097.0	8,011.6
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,558.3)	(1,643.4)
Treasury stock	(4,789.7)	(4,575.0)
Total Ecolab shareholders' equity	7,601.0	7,583.6
Noncontrolling interest	68.9	70.2
Total equity	7,669.9	7,653.8
Total liabilities and equity	$ 20,184.3	$ 19,963.5

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of liabilities incurred (and for which invoices have typically been received) and payable to vendors for goods and services received that are used in an entity's business. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount due from customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer), for goods or services (including trade receivables) that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business, reduced to the estimated net realizable fair value by an allowance established by the entity of the amount it deems uncertain of collection.