Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 76	$ 120
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $8 and $5	696	687
Inventories:
Raw materials	126	131
Work in process	3	5
Finished goods	349	351
Other	44	46
Total inventories	522	533
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	58	71
Notes receivable from sale of business	214
Deferred income taxes	38	32
Total current assets	1,604	1,443
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,567	1,552
Goodwill	499	480
Equity affiliates	116	115
Intangible assets, net	310	330
Assets held for rent	51	46
Notes receivable from sale of business	214	242
Deferred income taxes	103	94
Other assets	90	97
Total assets	4,340	4,399
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	259	62
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	518	606
Income taxes payable	20	59
Deferred income taxes	6	7
Current portion of long-term debt	185	185
Total current liabilities	988	919
Long-term debt	1,008	1,172
Deferred income taxes	59	55
Other liabilities	284	314
Commitments and contingencies (Note H)
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: 64,108,518 and 63,600,928 shares Outstanding: 63,854,953 and 63,347,362 shares	64	64
Less cost of 253,565 and 253,565 shares of common treasury stock	(8)	(8)
Additional paid-in capital	32	20
Retained earnings	1,720	1,653
Deferred employee benefits	(3)	(8)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	70	92
Total Cabot Corporation stockholders' equity	1,875	1,813
Noncontrolling interests	126	126
Total stockholders' equity	2,001	1,939
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 4,340	$ 4,399