Other (Charges) Gains, Net (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended					3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		71 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011 Acetyl Intermediates [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Pardies, France [Member] Acetyl Intermediates [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Spondon, UK [Member] Consumer Specialties [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Kelsterbach, Germany [Member] Advanced Engineered Materials [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Kelsterbach, Germany [Member] Advanced Engineered Materials [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Kelsterbach, Germany [Member] Advanced Engineered Materials [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Kelsterbach, Germany [Member] Advanced Engineered Materials [Member]
Other (Charges) Gains, Net [Line Items]
Employee termination benefits	$ 1	$ 5	$ 2	$ 18		$ 4	$ 3	$ 5	$ 0	$ 5	$ 8
Commercial dispute resolutions, bankrupt supplier					17
Commerical dispute resolutions, other					$ 4