OPERATING SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS (Schedule of Operating Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	$ 13,637		$ 15,109		$ 42,869		$ 45,888
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	1,798	[1]	2,099	[1]	5,466	[1]	6,373	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	175		375		492		964
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	62		77		181		251
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	(212)	[1]	(229)	[1]	(865)	[1]	(1,296)	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	(5)		(12)		(22)		(27)
Electronic And Functional Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	1,111		1,205		3,383		3,536
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	273	[1]	306	[1]	803	[1]	850	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	27		23		81		72
Coatings and Infrastructure Solutions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	1,730		1,905		5,321		5,639
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	246	[1]	372	[1]	787	[1]	990	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	29		72		96		219
Agricultural Sciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	1,302		1,205		4,816		4,311
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	63	[1]	75	[1]	821	[1]	768	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	3		0		3		3
Performance Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	3,411		3,698		10,253		11,097
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	491	[1]	478	[1]	1,173	[1]	1,523	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	(30)		(11)		(67)		(20)
Performance Plastics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	3,500		4,114		10,802		12,598
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	737	[1]	834	[1]	2,215	[1]	2,773	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	28		150		101		271
Feedstocks and Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales to external customers	2,521		2,905		8,113		8,456
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization	200	[1]	263	[1]	532	[1]	765	[1]
Equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates	$ 123		$ 153		$ 300		$ 446

[1] The Company uses EBITDA (which Dow defines as earnings (i.e., "Net Income") before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) as its measure of profit/loss for segment reporting purposes. EBITDA by operating segment includes all operating items relating to the businesses, except depreciation and amortization; items that principally apply to the Company as a whole are assigned to Corporate. A reconciliation of EBITDA to “Income Before Income Taxes” is provided below.