Employee Separation / Asset Related Charges, Net (Schedule of 2016 Restructuring Program Charges) (Details) - 2016 Restructuring Program [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, payments		$ (419)
Net Translation Adjustment		(1)
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		(85)
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			$ 798
Restructuring reserve, asset write-offs and adjustments		(53)
Restructuring reserve		122	680
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, payments		(393)
Net Translation Adjustment		(1)
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		(154)
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			656
Restructuring reserve, asset write-offs and adjustments		0
Restructuring reserve		100	648
Asset Related [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, payments		0
Net Translation Adjustment		0
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		53
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			109
Restructuring reserve, asset write-offs and adjustments		(53)
Restructuring reserve		0	0
Other Non-Personnel Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, payments	[1]	(26)
Net Translation Adjustment	[1]	0
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment	[1]	16
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			33
Restructuring reserve, asset write-offs and adjustments	[1]	0
Restructuring reserve	[1]	22	32
Agriculture [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		23
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			161
Electronics & Communications [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		(2)
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			93
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		(5)
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			60
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		(7)
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			47
Performance Materials [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		(4)
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			61
Protection Solutions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		(13)
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			44
Other Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		11
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			2
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		(88)
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			330
Employee Separation / Asset Related Charges, Net [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment		(88)
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			793
Other Income [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Charge Associated With Restructuring Actions		$ 3	$ 5

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