Consolidated Income Statements (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Consolidated Income Statements [Abstract]
Sales	$ 10,082.0	$ 9,026.0	$ 8,256.2
Cost of sales	7,315.3	6,503.0	6,042.1
Selling and administrative	1,014.4	956.9	943.4
Research and development	118.8	114.7	116.3
Global cost reduction plan			298.2	[1]
Net loss on Airgas transaction	48.5	96.0
Customer bankruptcy		(6.4)	22.2
Pension settlement		11.5	10.7
Other income, net	37.2	38.7	23.0
Operating Income	1,622.2	1,389.0	846.3
Equity affiliates' income	154.3	126.9	112.2
Interest expense	115.5	121.9	121.9
Income from Continuing Operations before Taxes	1,661.0	1,394.0	836.6
Income tax provision	408.4	339.5	185.3
Income from Continuing Operations	1,252.6	1,054.5	651.3
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of tax	8.9		(8.6)
Net Income	1,261.5	1,054.5	642.7
Less: Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	37.3	25.4	11.4
Net income attributable to Air Products	1,224.2	1,029.1	631.3
Net Income Attributable to Air Products
Income from continuing operations	1,215.3	1,029.1	639.9
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations	8.9		(8.6)
Net income attributable to Air Products	$ 1,224.2	$ 1,029.1	$ 631.3
Weighted Average of Common Shares Outstanding (in millions)	213.0	212.2	209.9
Weighted Average of Common Shares Outstanding Assuming Dilution (in millions)	217.6	217.1	213.5
Basic Earnings per Common Share Attributable to Air Products
Income from continuing operations	$ 5.71	$ 4.85	$ 3.05
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.04		$ (0.04)
Net Income Attributable to Air Products	$ 5.75	$ 4.85	$ 3.01
Diluted Earnings per Common Share Attributable to Air Products
Income from continuing operations	$ 5.59	$ 4.74	$ 3.00
Income (Loss) from discontinued operations	$ 0.04		$ (0.04)
Net Income Attributable to Air Products	$ 5.63	$ 4.74	$ 2.96

[1] Information about how this charge related to the businesses at the segment level is discussed in Note 5, Global Cost Reduction Plan.