Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 120	$ 286
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $5 and $4	687	659
Inventories	533	393
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	71	76
Deferred income taxes	32	35
Current assets held for sale		106
Total current assets	1,443	1,555
Property, plant and equipment	3,511	2,967
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(1,959)	(1,931)
Net property, plant and equipment	1,552	1,036
Goodwill	480	40
Equity affiliates	115	60
Intangible assets, net	330	3
Assets held for rent	46	46
Notes receivable from sale of business	242
Deferred income taxes	94	261
Other assets	97	101
Noncurrent assets held for sale		39
Total assets	4,399	3,141
Current liabilities:
Notes payable to banks	62	86
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	606	461
Income taxes payable	59	34
Deferred income taxes	7	6
Current portion of long-term debt	185	57
Current liabilities held for sale		12
Total current liabilities	919	656
Long-term debt	1,172	556
Deferred income taxes	55	8
Other liabilities	314	299
Noncurrent liabilities held for sale		6
Commitments and contingencies (Note T)
Preferred stock:
Authorized: 2,000,000 shares of $1 par value Issued and Outstanding: None and none
Common stock:
Authorized: 200,000,000 shares of $1 par value Issued: 63,600,928 and 63,894,443 shares Outstanding: 63,347,362 and 63,860,777 shares	64	64
Less cost of 253,565 and 33,666 shares of common treasury stock	(8)	(1)
Additional paid-in capital	20	18
Retained earnings	1,653	1,314
Deferred employee benefits	(8)	(14)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	92	106
Total Cabot Corporation stockholders' equity	1,813	1,487
Noncontrolling interests	126	129
Total stockholders' equity	1,939	1,616
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 4,399	$ 3,141