Employee Separation / Asset Related Charges, Net (2016 Restructuring Program schedule )(Details) - 2016 Restructuring Program [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		$ (90)		$ (88)
Restructuring Reserve			$ 44		$ 122
Restructuring reserve, payments			(80)
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment			2
Severance and Related Benefit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve			33		100
Restructuring reserve, payments			(69)
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment			2
Other Non-Personnel Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	[1]		11		$ 22
Restructuring reserve, payments	[1]		(11)
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment	[1]		$ 0
Agriculture [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		(5)		16
Electronics & Communications [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		(8)		(15)
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		(3)		(4)
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		(12)		(13)
Performance Materials [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		(9)		(5)
Protection Solutions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		(7)		(10)
Other Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		0		3
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		$ (46)		$ (60)

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