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Venezuela - Additional Information (Detail)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
VEF
Dec. 31, 2014
Maximum [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Operating Affiliate, Venezuela [Member]
Dec. 31, 2014
Subsidiaries [Member]
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Subsidiaries [Member]
USD ($)
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]            
Equity method investment, ownership percentage       49.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
= cbt_VenezuelanSubsidiaryMember
   
Operating affiliate investment $ 16us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesAmountOfEquity          
Due from affiliates, dividends cash   19us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesBalancePrincipalAmount 1us-gaap_InvestmentsInAndAdvancesToAffiliatesBalancePrincipalAmount
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
     
Cash dividends received from subsidiary         $ 2us-gaap_ProceedsFromDividendsReceived
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
$ 2us-gaap_ProceedsFromDividendsReceived
/ dei_LegalEntityAxis
= us-gaap_SubsidiariesMember
Conversion of Bolivars to USD 50us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1 50us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyExchangeRateTranslation1