Employee Separation / Asset Related Charges, Net (2012 Restructuring Program) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve	$ 180
Agriculture [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	11
Electronics and Communications [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	9
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment				8
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	3		9
Nutrition and Health [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	49		14
Performance Chemicals [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	3
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment				10
Performance Materials [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	12		2
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment				16
Safety and Protection [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	58
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment				5
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	234
Restructuring reserve, payments	(5)
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment	1
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment	(69)
Restructuring reserve	161
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	84
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Agriculture [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	11
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Electronics and Communications [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	9
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	3
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Nutrition and Health [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	53
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Performance Chemicals [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	3
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Performance Materials [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	13
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Safety and Protection [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	58
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	157
Restructuring reserve, payments	(4)
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment	1
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment	0
Restructuring reserve	154
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Other Non-Personnel Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	8	[1]
Restructuring reserve, payments	(1)	[1]
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment	0	[1]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment	0	[1]
Restructuring reserve	7	[1]
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Asset Related [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	69
Restructuring reserve, payments	0
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment	0
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment	(69)
Restructuring reserve	0
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Asset Related [Member] | Asset Impairment Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	30
Restructuring Program 2012 [Member] | Asset Related [Member] | Asset Shut Down Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 39

[1] Other non-personnel charges consist of contractual obligation costs.