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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Useful Lives
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
($ in millions)
Land and improvements to land
10-20 Years
 
$
155.9

 
$
149.4

Buildings and building equipment
10-30 Years
 
204.3

 
183.9

Machinery and equipment
3-15 Years
 
1,739.5

 
1,540.3

Leasehold improvements
 
 
2.5

 
2.5

Construction in progress
 
 
96.1

 
153.3

Property, plant and equipment
 
 
2,198.3

 
2,029.4

Accumulated depreciation
 
 
(1,164.0
)
 
(1,144.0
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
 
$
1,034.3

 
$
885.4



The weighted average useful life of machinery and equipment at December 31, 2012 was 10 years. Depreciation expense was $104.4 million, $97.4 million and $85.4 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Leased assets capitalized and included above are not significant.  Interest capitalized was $7.4 million, $1.2 million and $0.9 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Maintenance and repairs charged to operations amounted to $124.4 million, $135.7 million and $128.8 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

The consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, included a $17.4 million, $(23.7) million and $2.3 million, respectively, increase (decrease) to capital expenditures, with the corresponding change to accounts payable and accrued liabilities, related to purchases of property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable at December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.

We entered into sale/leaseback transactions for caustic soda barges and chlorine railcars that we acquired during 2012 and 2011 for $4.4 million and $3.2 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.