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Inventories | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020
Inventories [Abstract] |
Inventories | Inventories The amount of inventory recognized as an expense in "Cost of net sales" in the consolidated income statement during 2020 amounted to $2.1 billion (2019: $2.2 billion, 2018: $2.2 billion). The amount of inventory recognized as an expense in "Cost of other revenues" in the consolidated income statement during 2020 amounted to $63 million (2019: $127 million, 2018: $0 million).
($ millions) | 2020 | 2019 |  |
Raw material, consumables | 278 |  | 286 |  |  |
Work in progress | 136 |  | 101 |  |  |
Finished products | 1,230 |  | 1,118 |  |  |
Total inventories | 1,644 |  | 1,505 |  |  |
Alcon recognized inventory provisions and write-downs amounting to $304 million in 2020 (2019: $181 million, 2018: $170 million) and reversed inventory provisions amounting to $91 million (2019: $65 million, 2018: $56 million). Inventory provisions mainly relate to the adjustment of inventory balances to their net realizable value based on the forecasted sales. Reversals are made when the products become saleable.

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