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Acquisition of NHUMO - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
Oct. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Nov. 30, 2013
Loans At Acquisition Date [Line Items]          
Preferred stock redemption amount   $ 28us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionAmount   $ 27us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionAmount  
Gain on acquisition 29us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain        
Customer Relationships [Member]          
Loans At Acquisition Date [Line Items]          
Intangible asset   63us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles
/ us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis
= us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember
     
Amortized period   20 years      
NHUMO [Member]          
Loans At Acquisition Date [Line Items]          
Percentage acquisition         60.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cbt_NhumoMember
Ownership percentage prior to acquisition         40.00%us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireePercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cbt_NhumoMember
Cash paid on acquisition     80us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cbt_NhumoMember
   
Preferred stock redemption amount     28us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionAmount
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cbt_NhumoMember
   
Dividend percentage of preferred stock     6.00%us-gaap_PreferredStockDividendRatePercentage
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cbt_NhumoMember
   
Preferred stock issued on acquisition     25us-gaap_BusinessCombinationConsiderationTransferredEquityInterestsIssuedAndIssuable
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cbt_NhumoMember
   
Dividend payment     1.5us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cbt_NhumoMember
   
Dividend received from NHUMO     14cbt_ProceedsFromDividendFromInterestInJointVenture
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cbt_NhumoMember
   
Gain on acquisition   29us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeRemeasurementGain
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cbt_NhumoMember
     
Previously held equity interest in NHUMO   54us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeFairValue1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cbt_NhumoMember
54us-gaap_BusinessCombinationStepAcquisitionEquityInterestInAcquireeFairValue1
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cbt_NhumoMember
   
NHUMO [Member] | Carrying Value [Member]          
Loans At Acquisition Date [Line Items]          
Preferred stock redemption amount     $ 25us-gaap_PreferredStockRedemptionAmount
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cbt_NhumoMember
/ us-gaap_FairValueEstimateNotPracticableDisclosureItemsAxis
= us-gaap_FairValueEstimateNotPracticableCarryingReportedAmountMember