Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 88	$ 67
Accounts and notes receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $7 and $7	643	688
Inventories:
Raw materials	93	111
Work in process	1	2
Finished goods	337	341
Other	44	44
Total inventories	475	498
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	67	69
Deferred income taxes	42	42
Total current assets	1,315	1,364
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,547	1,581
Goodwill	524	536
Equity affiliates	66	68
Intangible assets, net	335	347
Assets held for rent	59	56
Deferred income taxes	79	80
Other assets	52	52
Total assets	3,977	4,084
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	159	44
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	437	512
Income taxes payable	48	49
Deferred income taxes	1	1
Current portion of long-term debt	1	24
Total current liabilities	646	630
Long-term debt	995	1,004
Deferred income taxes	67	68
Other liabilities	265	291
Redeemable preferred stock	28	27
Commitments and contingencies (Note I)
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: 63,901,219 and 64,634,731 shares Outstanding: 63,648,854 and 64,382,366 shares	64	64
Less cost of 252,365 and 252,365 shares of common treasury stock	(7)	(7)
Additional paid-in capital	9	49
Retained earnings	1,930	1,900
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(144)	(64)
Total Cabot Corporation stockholders' equity	1,852	1,942
Noncontrolling interests	124	122
Total stockholders' equity	1,976	2,064
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 3,977	$ 4,084