v2.4.0.6

Guarantor Disclosures (Condensed Consolidating Financial Information Statement Of Cash Flows) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2009
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |
Net income | $ 258,966 | $ 221,393 | $ 52,995
Depreciation and amortization | 133,080 | 130,886 | 124,660
Deferred income taxes | 14,114 | 14,153 | 31,207
Net changes in working capital and other | (43,864) | (83,148) | 26,660
Net cash provided by operating activities | 362,296 | 283,284 | 235,522
Additions to equity investments |  | (10,177) |
Acquisition of business |  |  | (6,297)
Additions to property, plant and equipment | (176,843) | (81,269) | (99,769)
Proceeds from disposition of assets | 2,880 | 914 | 3,255
Proceeds from insurance for involuntary conversion of assets |  |  | 484
Proceeds from repayment of loan to affiliate | 1,192 | 763 |
Purchase of securities and other investments | (30,265) |  |
Settlements of derivative instruments | 251 | 9,494 | (859)
Net cash used for investing activities | (202,785) | (80,275) | (103,186)
Intercompany financing |  |  |
Capitalized debt issuance costs | (2,697) | (3,331) | (2,203)
Dividends paid | (18,265) | (16,014) | (14,510)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 5,344 | 3,745 | 879
Repurchase of common stock for treasury | (2,518) |  |
Utilization of restricted cash | 54,227 | 197,298 | 38,851
Net cash provided by financing activities | 36,091 | 181,698 | 23,017
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 195,602 | 384,707 | 155,353
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year | 630,299 | 245,592 | 90,239
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year | 825,901 | 630,299 | 245,592
Westlake Chemical Corporation [Member] |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |
Net income | 258,966 | 221,393 | 52,995
Depreciation and amortization | 1,683 | 2,154 | 1,461
Deferred income taxes | 190 | 7,864 | 2,086
Net changes in working capital and other | (291,666) | (245,113) | (72,567)
Net cash provided by operating activities | (30,827) | (13,702) | (16,025)
Additions to equity investments |  |  |
Acquisition of business |  |  |
Additions to property, plant and equipment |  |  |
Proceeds from disposition of assets |  |  |
Proceeds from insurance for involuntary conversion of assets |  |  |
Proceeds from repayment of loan to affiliate |  |  |
Settlements of derivative instruments |  |  |
Net cash used for investing activities |  |  |
Intercompany financing | 186,898 | 210,360 | 137,442
Capitalized debt issuance costs | (2,697) | (3,331) | (2,203)
Dividends paid | (18,265) | (16,014) | (14,510)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options | 5,344 | 3,745 | 879
Repurchase of common stock for treasury | (2,518) |  |
Utilization of restricted cash | 54,227 | 197,298 | 38,851
Net cash provided by financing activities | 222,989 | 392,058 | 160,459
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 192,162 | 378,356 | 144,434
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year | 611,158 | 232,802 | 88,368
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year | 803,320 | 611,158 | 232,802
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |
Net income | 294,464 | 246,536 | 65,251
Depreciation and amortization | 127,807 | 125,002 | 119,296
Deferred income taxes | 14,225 | 6,048 | 27,113
Net changes in working capital and other | (45,667) | (87,299) | 27,731
Net cash provided by operating activities | 390,829 | 290,287 | 239,391
Additions to equity investments |  | (10,177) |
Acquisition of business |  |  | (6,297)
Additions to property, plant and equipment | (175,706) | (79,928) | (98,555)
Proceeds from disposition of assets | 2,877 | 914 | 3,255
Proceeds from insurance for involuntary conversion of assets |  |  | 484
Proceeds from repayment of loan to affiliate |  |  |
Purchase of securities and other investments | (30,265) |  |
Settlements of derivative instruments | 251 | 9,494 | (859)
Net cash used for investing activities | (202,843) | (79,697) | (101,972)
Intercompany financing | (185,522) | (210,614) | (137,411)
Capitalized debt issuance costs |  |  |
Dividends paid |  |  |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |  |  |
Utilization of restricted cash |  |  |
Net cash provided by financing activities | (185,522) | (210,614) | (137,411)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 2,464 | (24) | 8
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year | 53 | 77 | 69
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year | 2,517 | 53 | 77
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |
Net income | (2,869) | 1,427 | 5,636
Depreciation and amortization | 3,590 | 3,730 | 3,903
Deferred income taxes | (301) | 241 | 2,008
Net changes in working capital and other | 1,874 | 1,301 | 609
Net cash provided by operating activities | 2,294 | 6,699 | 12,156
Additions to equity investments |  |  |
Acquisition of business |  |  |
Additions to property, plant and equipment | (1,137) | (1,341) | (1,214)
Proceeds from disposition of assets | 3 |  |
Proceeds from insurance for involuntary conversion of assets |  |  |
Proceeds from repayment of loan to affiliate | 1,192 | 763 |
Settlements of derivative instruments |  |  |
Net cash used for investing activities | 58 | (578) | (1,214)
Intercompany financing | (1,376) | 254 | (31)
Capitalized debt issuance costs |  |  |
Dividends paid |  |  |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |  |  |
Utilization of restricted cash |  |  |
Net cash provided by financing activities | (1,376) | 254 | (31)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 976 | 6,375 | 10,911
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year | 19,088 | 12,713 | 1,802
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year | 20,064 | 19,088 | 12,713
Eliminations [Member] |  |  |
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items] |  |  |
Net income | (291,595) | (247,963) | (70,887)
Depreciation and amortization |  |  |
Deferred income taxes |  |  |
Net changes in working capital and other | 291,595 | 247,963 | 70,887
Net cash provided by operating activities |  |  |
Additions to equity investments |  |  |
Acquisition of business |  |  |
Additions to property, plant and equipment |  |  |
Proceeds from disposition of assets |  |  |
Proceeds from insurance for involuntary conversion of assets |  |  |
Proceeds from repayment of loan to affiliate |  |  |
Settlements of derivative instruments |  |  |
Net cash used for investing activities |  |  |
Intercompany financing |  |  |
Capitalized debt issuance costs |  |  |
Dividends paid |  |  |
Proceeds from exercise of stock options |  |  |
Utilization of restricted cash |  |  |
Net cash provided by financing activities |  |  |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year |  |  |

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- Definition Includes currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. It also includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits in that the Entity may deposit additional funds at any time and also effectively may withdraw funds at any time without prior notice or penalty. Cash equivalents, excluding items classified as marketable securities, include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Generally, only investments with original maturities of three months or less qualify under that definition. Original maturity means original maturity to the entity holding the investment. For example, both a three-month US Treasury bill and a three-year Treasury note purchased three months from maturity qualify as cash equivalents. However, a Treasury note purchased three years ago does not become a cash equivalent when its remaining maturity is three months. Compensating balance arrangements that do not legally restrict the withdrawal or usage of cash amounts may be reported as Cash and Cash Equivalents, while legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or company statements of intention with regard to particular deposits are not generally reported as cash and cash equivalents. Includes cash and cash equivalents associated with the entity's continuing operations. Excludes cash and cash equivalents associated with the disposal group (and discontinued operation). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 1 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7 -Footnote 1 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3044-108585 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 8, 9 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6361293&loc=d3e6676-107765 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506951 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 7, 26 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Cash Equivalents -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6507016 + Details
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- Definition The cash outflow paid to third parties in connection with debt origination, which will be amortized over the remaining maturity period of the associated long-term debt. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 95-13 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (e) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585 + Details
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- Definition The cash outflow from the distribution of an entity's earnings in the form of dividends to common shareholders. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 18 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Financing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228 + Details
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- Definition The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 15, 17 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
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- Definition The cash outflow associated with the purchase of or advances to an equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
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- Definition The cash outflow associated with the purchase of all investments (debt, security, other) during the period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 15, 17 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3213-108585 + Details
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- Definition The cash inflow from the amounts received by the insured under the terms of an insurance contract settlement. This element pertains only to insurance proceeds related to investments, for example fixed assets. It excludes insurance settlements classified as operating cash flows. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 22 -Subparagraph c -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585 + Details
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- Definition The net cash inflow or outflow from the proceeds and repayments made on the long-term borrowing from related party where one party can exercise control or significant influence over another party; including affiliates, owners or officers and their immediate families, pension trusts, and such forth. Alternate caption: Proceeds from (Payments for) Advances from Affiliates. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 18 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Financing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228 + Details
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- Definition The net cash inflow or outflow from cash and cash items that are not available for withdrawal or usage. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3291-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 18 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3255-108585 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Financing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228 + Details
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- Definition The cash inflow from the sale of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3179-108585 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 15 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 16 -Subparagraph c -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Investing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133 + Details
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- Definition The cash inflow associated with the amount received from holders exercising their stock options. This item inherently excludes any excess tax benefit, which the entity may have realized and reported separately. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Financing Activities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6513228 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (j) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph i -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 14 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3255-108585 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 18 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph a -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition Current year acquisitions of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Depreciation and amortization expense, including amortization of debt issuance costs. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Proceeds from (Repayments of) Intercompany Financing + References No definition available. + Details
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