CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 354.0		$ 1,843.6
Accounts receivable, net	2,049.0		2,095.3
Inventories	1,087.4		1,069.6
Deferred income taxes	183.2		164.0
Other current assets	286.2		223.5
Total current assets	3,959.8		5,396.0
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,331.6		2,295.4
Goodwill	5,946.8		5,855.3
Other intangible assets, net	4,237.8		4,275.2
Other assets	385.7		418.9
Total assets	16,861.7		18,240.8
Current liabilities
Short-term debt	1,346.9		1,023.0
Accounts payable	805.1		815.7
Compensation and benefits	409.8		497.2
Income taxes	136.1		81.7
Other current liabilities	808.7		748.7
Total current liabilities	3,506.6		3,166.3
Long-term debt	4,911.0		6,613.2
Postretirement health care and pension benefits	1,164.7		1,173.4
Other liabilities	1,474.3		1,546.8
Total liabilities	11,056.6		12,499.7
Equity
Common stock	337.5	[1]	336.1	[1]
Additional paid-in capital	4,049.5		3,980.8
Retained earnings	3,551.3		3,559.9
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(249.5)		(344.9)
Treasury stock	(1,955.6)		(1,865.2)
Total Ecolab shareholders' equity	5,733.2		5,666.7
Noncontrolling interest	71.9		74.4
Total equity	5,805.1		5,741.1
Total liabilities and equity	$ 16,861.7		$ 18,240.8

[1] Common stock, 800 million shares authorized, $1.00 par value per share, 291.9 million shares outstanding at March 31, 2012, 292.0 million shares outstanding at December 31, 2011. Shares outstanding are net of treasury stock.