Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Operating Activities
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
Adjustments to reconcile income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	873.9	863.4	840.3
Impairment of assets of continuing operations		3.8	69.2
Impairment of assets of discontinued operations			49.5
Deferred income taxes	185.7	96.2	(52.3)
Undistributed earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(47.5)	(50.6)	(58.0)
(Gain) loss on sale of assets and investments	(12.8)	(14.8)	3.6
Share-based compensation	44.8	48.6	60.4
Noncurrent capital lease receivables	(272.5)	(85.6)	(186.7)
Net loss on Airgas transaction	48.5	96.0
Payment of acquisition-related costs	(156.2)	(12.0)
Customer bankruptcy			22.2
Other adjustments	69.7	(9.0)	(3.4)
Working capital changes that provided (used) cash, excluding effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Trade receivables	(103.5)	(142.5)	159.0
Inventories	(101.8)	(65.9)	(17.7)
Contracts in progress, less progress billings	16.7	(33.9)	12.5
Other receivables	14.2	41.5	(11.9)
Payables and accrued liabilities	(32.4)	(293.6)	(282.8)
Other working capital	2.2	51.7	94.2
Cash Provided by Operating Activities	1,753.2	1,522.4	1,329.4
Investing Activities
Additions to plant and equipment	(1,351.7)	(1,030.9)	(1,179.1)
Acquisitions, less cash acquired	(10.8)	(37.2)	(32.7)
Investment in and advances to unconsolidated affiliates	(45.8)	(4.8)	(24.5)
Investment in Airgas stock		(69.6)
Proceeds from sale of Airgas stock	94.7
Proceeds from sale of assets and investments	81.6	52.4	57.9
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations			51.0
Change in restricted cash	19.8	33.6	87.0
Cash Used for Investing Activities	(1,212.2)	(1,056.5)	(1,040.4)
Financing Activities
Long-term debt proceeds	409.8	226.2	610.5
Payments on long-term debt	(187.1)	(436.4)	(82.9)
Net increase (decrease) in commercial paper and short-term borrowings	234.3	(74.6)	(122.7)
Dividends paid to shareholders	(456.7)	(398.7)	(373.3)
Purchase of treasury stock	(649.2)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	148.2	88.1	54.4
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation	47.6	23.9	15.5
Other financing activities	(31.4)	(8.2)	(6.5)
Cash (Used for) Provided by Financing Activities	(484.5)	(579.7)	95.0
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	(8.3)	(0.1)	0.7
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Items	48.2	(113.9)	384.7
Cash and Cash Items-Beginning of Year	374.3	488.2	103.5
Cash and Cash Items-End of Year	422.5	374.3	488.2
Significant noncash transactions
Short-term borrowings associated with SAGA acquisition		60.9
Noncurrent liability related to the purchase of shares from noncontrolling interests		$ 42.0