Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Goodwill) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	$ 4,180	$ 4,248	$ 4,332
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	(68)	(84)
Agriculture [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	343	336	318
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	7	18
Electronics & Communications [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	149	149	149
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	0	0
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	1,175	1,209	1,218
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	(34)	(9)
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	2,053	2,092	2,193
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	(39)	(101)
Performance Materials [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	381	383	375
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	(2)	8
Protection Solutions [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	34	34	34
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	0	0
Other Segment [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	45	45	$ 45
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	$ 0	$ 0