investing activities for the year ended 30 september 2016 , cash used for investing activities was $ 972.0 , driven by capital expenditures for plant and equipment of $ 1055.8 . proceeds from the sale of assets and investments of $ 85.5 was primarily driven by the receipt of $ 30.0 for our rights to a corporate aircraft that was under construction , $ 15.9 for the sale of our 20% ( 20 % ) equity investment in daido air products electronics , inc. , and $ 14.9 for the sale of a wholly owned subsidiary located in wuhu , china . for the year ended 30 september 2015 , cash used for investing activities was $ 1250.5 , primarily capital expenditures for plant and equipment . on 30 december 2014 , we acquired our partner 2019s equity ownership interest in a liquefied atmospheric industrial gases production joint venture in north america which increased our ownership from 50% ( 50 % ) to 100% ( 100 % ) . refer to note 6 , business combination , to the consolidated financial statements for additional information . for the year ended 30 september 2014 , cash used for investing activities was $ 1316.5 , primarily capital expenditures for plant and equipment . refer to the capital expenditures section below for additional detail . capital expenditures capital expenditures are detailed in the following table: .
considering the capital expenditures on a gaap basis , what was the percentual decrease observed in 2016 in comparison with 2015?
( a ) we utilize a non-gaap measure in the computation of capital expenditures and include spending associated with facilities accounted for as capital leases and purchases of noncontrolling interests . certain contracts associated with facilities that are built to provide product to a specific customer are required to be accounted for as leases , and such spending is reflected as a use of cash within cash provided by operating activities , if the arrangement qualifies as a capital lease . additionally , the purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interests is accounted for as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows . the presentation of this non-gaap measure is intended to enhance the usefulness of information by providing a measure that our management uses internally to evaluate and manage our expenditures . capital expenditures on a gaap basis in 2016 totaled $ 1055.8 , compared to $ 1265.6 in 2015 . the decrease of $ 209.8 was primarily due to the completion of major projects in 2016 and 2015 . additions to plant and equipment also included support capital of a routine , ongoing nature , including expenditures for distribution equipment and facility improvements . spending in 2016 and 2015 included plant and equipment constructed to provide oxygen for coal gasification in china , hydrogen to the global market , oxygen to the steel industry , nitrogen to the electronic semiconductor industry , and capacity expansion for the materials technologies segment . capital expenditures on a non-gaap basis in 2016 totaled $ 1083.0 compared to $ 1678.4 in 2015 . the decrease of $ 595.4 was primarily due to the prior year purchase of the 30.5% ( 30.5 % ) equity interest in our indura s.a . subsidiary from the largest minority shareholder for $ 277.9 . refer to note 21 , noncontrolling interests , to the consolidated financial statements for additional details . additionally , capital lease expenditures of $ 27.2 , decreased by $ 68.4 , reflecting lower project spending . on 19 april 2015 , a joint venture between air products and acwa holding entered into a 20-year oxygen and nitrogen supply agreement to supply saudi aramco 2019s oil refinery and power plant being built in jazan , saudi arabia . air products owns 25% ( 25 % ) of the joint venture . during 2016 and 2015 , we recorded noncash transactions which resulted in an increase of $ 26.9 and $ 67.5 , respectively , to our investment in net assets of and advances to equity affiliates for our obligation to invest in the joint venture . these noncash transactions have been excluded from the consolidated statements of cash flows . in total , we expect to invest approximately $ 100 in this joint venture . air products has also entered into a sale of equipment contract with the joint venture to engineer , procure , and construct the industrial gas facilities that will supply the gases to saudi aramco. .