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Restructuring - Restructuring Activities and Related Reserves (Detail) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Reserve balance $ 19us-gaap_RestructuringReserve    
Charges 7us-gaap_RestructuringCharges 5us-gaap_RestructuringCharges  
Costs charged against assets/liabilities (1)us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges    
Cash paid (7)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring    
Foreign currency translation adjustment (1)us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment    
Reserve balance 17us-gaap_RestructuringReserve    
Severance and Employee Benefits [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Reserve balance 16us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
   
Charges 3us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
   
Cash paid (4)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
   
Foreign currency translation adjustment (1)us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
   
Reserve balance 14us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
   
Environmental Remediation [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Reserve balance     2us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
Reserve balance 2us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
  2us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_EnvironmentalRemediationMember
Asset Impairment and Accelerated Depreciation [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Charges 1us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_AssetImpairmentAndAcceleratedDepreciationMember
   
Costs charged against assets/liabilities (1)us-gaap_OtherAssetImpairmentCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_AssetImpairmentAndAcceleratedDepreciationMember
   
Other [Member]      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Reserve balance 1us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
   
Charges 3us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
   
Cash paid (3)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_OtherRestructuringCostsMember
   
Reserve balance $ 1us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cbt_OtherRestructuringCostsMember