Fortron Industries LLC.
Fortron is a leading global producer of PPS, sold under the Fortron?
brand, which is used in a wide variety of automotive and other applications, especially those requiring heat and/or chemical resistance.
Fortron's facility is located in Wilmington, North Carolina.
This venture combines the sales, marketing, distribution, compounding and manufacturing expertise of Celanese with the PPS polymer technology expertise of Kureha America Inc.  Cellulose derivatives strategic ventures.
Our cellulose derivatives ventures generally fund their operations using operating cash flow and pay dividends based on each ventures' performance in the preceding year.
In 2014, 2013 and 2012, we received cash dividends of $115 million, $92 million and $83 million, respectively.
Although our ownership interest in each of our cellulose derivatives ventures exceeds 20%, we account for these investments using the cost method of accounting because we determined that we cannot exercise significant influence over these entities due to local government investment in and influence over these entities, limitations on our involvement in the day-to-day operations and the present inability of the entities to provide timely financial information prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("US GAAP").  ?
Other Equity Method Investments InfraServs.
We hold indirect ownership interests in several German InfraServ Groups that own and develop industrial parks and provide on-site general and administrative support to tenants.
Our ownership interest in the equity investments in InfraServ affiliates are as follows:
## Table 0 ##
Research and Development Our businesses are innovation-oriented and conduct research and development activities to develop new, and optimize existing, production technologies, as well as to develop commercially viable new products and applications.
Research and development expense was $86 million, $85 million and $104 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
We consider the amounts spent during each of the last three fiscal years on research and development activities to be sufficient to execute our current strategic initiatives.
Intellectual Property We attach importance to protecting our intellectual property, including safeguarding our confidential information and through our patents, trademarks and copyrights, in order to preserve our investment in research and development, manufacturing and marketing.
Patents may cover processes, equipment, products, intermediate products and product uses.
We also seek to register trademarks as a means of protecting the brand names of our Company and products.
Patents.
In most industrial countries, patent protection exists for new substances and formulations, as well as for certain unique applications and production processes.
However, we do business in regions of the world where intellectual property protection may be limited and difficult to enforce.
Confidential Information.
We maintain stringent information security policies and procedures wherever we do business.
Such information security policies and procedures include data encryption, controls over the disclosure and safekeeping of confidential information and trade secrets, as well as employee awareness training.
Trademarks.
AOPlus?
, AOPlus?2, AOPlus?3, Ateva?
, Avicor?
, BriteCoat?
, Celanese?
, Celanex?
, Celcon?
, CelFX?, Celstran?
, Celvolit?
, Clarifoil?
, Duroset?
, EcoVAE?
, Factor?
, Fortron?
, GUR?
, Hostaform?
, Impet?
, Mowilith?
, Nutrinova?
, Qorus?, Riteflex?
, Sunett?
, TCX?, Thermx?
, TufCOR?
, VAntage?
, VAntagePlus?, VAntage?2, Vectra?
, Vinamul?
, VitalDose?
, Zenite?
and certain other branded products and services named in this document are registered or reserved trademarks or service marks owned or licensed by Celanese.
The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all registered or reserved trademarks and service marks owned or licensed by Celanese.
Fortron?
is a registered trademark of Fortron Industries LLC.
Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013 Net sales decreased $54 million, or 4.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 primarily due to lower acetate tow volume globally and lower acetate flake pricing under a legacy contract.
These were slightly offset by a 6% increase in acetate tow pricing reflecting favorable shifts in customer mix, higher acetate flake volume and higher volume in our food ingredients business primarily related to sorbates.
Operating profit increased $42 million, or 12.1%, for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013, despite lower net sales, primarily due to favorable acetate tow pricing as well as lower raw material and energy costs of $43 million as a result of productivity initiatives in our cellulose derivatives business.
Operating profit was also favorably impacted by a decrease in net periodic benefit cost of $22 million.
An increase in Other (charges) gains, net of $16 million primarily due to an arbitration award against a former utility operator at our cellulose derivatives manufacturing facility in Narrows, Virginia also contributed to the increase in operating profit.
Dividend income from cost investments increased $23 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to the same period in 2013 primarily due to higher earnings from our cellulose derivatives ventures resulting from higher volume and acetate tow pricing as well as lower energy costs.
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2012 Net sales increased $28 million, or 2.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 primarily due to higher pricing in the cellulose derivatives business partially offset by lower volume in both the cellulose derivatives and food ingredients businesses.
Acetate tow pricing increased 8% across all regions while volume declined due to the cessation of manufacturing of acetate flake and acetate tow at our Spondon, United Kingdom facility in November 2012.
Operating profit increased $95 million, or 37.8%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 primarily due to the increase in acetate tow pricing and a $57 million favorable impact from the cessation of production of acetate flake and acetate tow at our Spondon, Derby, United Kingdom facility in November 2012, including lower energy and plant costs.
A decrease in net periodic benefit cost of $14 million contributed to the increase in operating profit.
Industrial Specialties
## Table 1 ##
Our Industrial Specialties segment includes our emulsion polymers and EVA polymers businesses.
Our emulsion polymers business is a leading global producer of vinyl acetate-based emulsions and develops products and application technologies to improve performance, create value and drive innovation in applications such as paints and coatings, adhesives, construction, glass fiber, textiles and paper.
Our emulsion polymers products are sold under globally and regionally recognized brands including EcoVAE ?
, Mowilith ?
, Vinamul ?
, Celvolit ?
, Duroset ?
, TufCOR ?
and Avicor ? .
Our EVA polymers business is a leading North American manufacturer of a full range of specialty ethylene vinyl acetate ("EVA") resins and compounds as well as select grades of low-density polyethylene.
Sold under the Ateva ?
and VitalDose ?
brands, these products are used in many applications, including flexible packaging films, lamination film products, hot melt adhesives, medical tubing, automotive parts and carpeting.
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2012 Cash flow provided by operating activities increased by $40 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
The increase in cash provided by operations was primarily the result of stronger earnings performance and a reduction in pension plan and other postretirement benefit plan contributions of $192 million made during the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the prior year.
These favorable impacts were partially offset by a decrease in dividends from our equity investments of $121 million primarily due to the absence of a $75 million cash dividend received from Polyplastics in 2012 as a result of an amendment to our joint venture and other related agreements and a $65 million increase in cash taxes paid.
Trade working capital is calculated as follows:
## Table 2 ##
·Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013 Net cash used in investing activities was $705 million and $422 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Cash outflows were primarily for capital expenditures of $424 million and $93 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, relating to Fairway, as well as capital expenditures of $254 million and $277 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, primarily related to capacity expansions and major investments to reduce future operating costs and improve plant reliability, as well as environmental and health and safety initiatives.
Cash outflows also included the $10 million acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Cool Polymers, Inc.  during the year ended December 31, 2014.
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2012 Net cash used in investing activities was $422 million and $500 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Cash outflows were primarily for capital expenditures of $277 million and $349 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, primarily related to capacity expansions, major investments to reduce future operating costs and improve plant reliability and environmental and health and safety initiatives.
Cash outflows also included capital expenditures of $93 million and $12 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, relating to Fairway and capital expenditures for our German POM plant relocation and expansion of $7 million and $49 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Cash outflows were partially offset by the $23 million acquisition of certain assets from Ashland Inc. , including two product lines, Vinac?
and Flexbond?
, during the year ended December 31, 2012.
·Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013 Net cash used in financing activities increased $89 million to $415 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $326 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The increase in cash used in financing activities is primarily due to an increase in net repayments on short-term borrowings and long-term debt of $196 million primarily as a result of redeeming our Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2012 Cash flow provided by operating activities increased by $40 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
The increase in cash provided by operations was primarily the result of stronger earnings performance and a reduction in pension plan and other postretirement benefit plan contributions of $192 million made during the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to the prior year.
These favorable impacts were partially offset by a decrease in dividends from our equity investments of $121 million primarily due to the absence of a $75 million cash dividend received from Polyplastics in 2012 as a result of an amendment to our joint venture and other related agreements and a $65 million increase in cash taxes paid.
Trade working capital is calculated as follows:
¡¤Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013 Net cash used in investing activities was $705 million and $422 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Cash outflows were primarily for capital expenditures of $424 million and $93 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, relating to Fairway, as well as capital expenditures of $254 million and $277 million for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, primarily related to capacity expansions and major investments to reduce future operating costs and improve plant reliability, as well as environmental and health and safety initiatives.
Cash outflows also included the $10 million acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Cool Polymers, Inc.  during the year ended December 31, 2014.
Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2012 Net cash used in investing activities was $422 million and $500 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Cash outflows were primarily for capital expenditures of $277 million and $349 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, primarily related to capacity expansions, major investments to reduce future operating costs and improve plant reliability and environmental and health and safety initiatives.
Cash outflows also included capital expenditures of $93 million and $12 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, relating to Fairway and capital expenditures for our German POM plant relocation and expansion of $7 million and $49 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Cash outflows were partially offset by the $23 million acquisition of certain assets from Ashland Inc. , including two product lines, Vinac?
and Flexbond?
, during the year ended December 31, 2012.
¡¤Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Year Ended December 31, 2014 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2013 Net cash used in financing activities increased $89 million to $415 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 compared to $326 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.
The increase in cash used in financing activities is primarily due to an increase in net repayments on short-term borrowings and long-term debt of $196 million primarily as a result of redeeming our $600 million 6.625% senior unsecured notes due 2018, partially offset by proceeds from an offering of €300 million 3.250% senior unsecured notes due 2019.
Net cash used in financing activities was also impacted by an increase in stock repurchase transactions of $86 million and higher Common Stock cash dividends of $61 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we increased our Common Stock quarterly cash dividend rate from $0.18 to $0.25 per share.
Cash outflows were partially offset by contributions of $264 million received from Mitsui during the year ended December 31, 2014 in exchange for ownership in Fairway.

<table><tr><td></td><td>As of December 31, 2014 (In percentages)</td></tr><tr><td>InfraServ GmbH & Co. Gendorf KG</td><td>39</td></tr><tr><td>InfraServ GmbH & Co. Hoechst KG</td><td>32</td></tr><tr><td>InfraServ GmbH & Co. Knapsack KG</td><td>27</td></tr></table>
<table><tr><td></td><td colspan="2">Year Ended December 31,</td><td></td><td colspan="2">Year Ended December 31,</td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>2014</td><td>2013</td><td>Change</td><td>2013</td><td>2012</td><td>Change</td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="6">(In $ millions, except percentages)</td></tr><tr><td>Net sales</td><td>1,224</td><td>1,155</td><td>69</td><td>1,155</td><td>1,184</td><td>-29</td></tr><tr><td>Net Sales Variance</td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Volume</td><td>1%</td><td></td><td></td><td>-1%</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Price</td><td>5%</td><td></td><td></td><td>-3%</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Currency</td><td>—%</td><td></td><td></td><td>2%</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Other</td><td>—%</td><td></td><td></td><td>—%</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Other (charges) gains, net</td><td>-1</td><td>-4</td><td>3</td><td>-4</td><td>—</td><td>-4</td></tr><tr><td>Operating profit (loss)</td><td>76</td><td>64</td><td>12</td><td>64</td><td>86</td><td>-22</td></tr><tr><td>Operating margin</td><td>6.2%</td><td>5.5%</td><td></td><td>5.5%</td><td>7.3%</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Depreciation and amortization</td><td>48</td><td>52</td><td>-4</td><td>52</td><td>55</td><td>-3</td></tr></table>
<table><tr><td></td><td colspan="3">As of December 31,</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>2014</td><td>2013</td><td>2012</td></tr><tr><td></td><td colspan="3">(In $ millions)</td></tr><tr><td>Trade receivables, net</td><td>801</td><td>867</td><td>827</td></tr><tr><td>Inventories</td><td>782</td><td>804</td><td>711</td></tr><tr><td>Trade payables - third party and affiliates</td><td>-757</td><td>-799</td><td>-649</td></tr><tr><td>Trade working capital</td><td>826</td><td>872</td><td>889</td></tr></table>

Question: what is the growth rate in research and development expenses from 2013 to 2014?
Answer: 0.01176