Employee Separation / Asset Related Charges, Net Employee Separation / Asset Related Charges, Net (2011 Restructuring Program) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended							3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 Industrial Biosciences [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Industrial Biosciences [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Nutrition and Health [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Nutrition and Health [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Restructuring Program 2011 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restructuring Program 2011 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Restructuring Program 2011 [Member] Employee Severance [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restructuring Program 2011 [Member] Industrial Biosciences [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Restructuring Program 2011 [Member] Nutrition and Health [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restructuring Program 2011 [Member] Nutrition and Health [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Restructuring Program 2011 [Member] Other [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Restructuring Program 2011 [Member] Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges	$ 3	$ 9	$ 49	$ 14	$ (11)	$ 28			$ 53		$ 9		$ 14		$ 30
Reduction in estimated restructuring costs							(1)	15				4		11
Restructuring reserve, payments										$ 17