Other (Charges) Gains, Net (Schedule of Restructuring Reserves) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of September 30, 2018	$ 8
Total	8
Employee Termination Benefits [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2017	3
Additions	5
Cash payments	(1)
Other changes	(1)
Exchange rate changes	0
As of September 30, 2018	6
Total	3
Plant/Office Closures [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2017	2
Additions	0
Cash payments	0
Other changes	0
Exchange rate changes	0
As of September 30, 2018	2
Total	2
Industrial Specialties [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of September 30, 2018	3
Total	3
Industrial Specialties [Member] | Employee Termination Benefits [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2017	0
Additions	3
Cash payments	0
Other changes	0
Exchange rate changes	0
As of September 30, 2018	3
Total	0
Industrial Specialties [Member] | Plant/Office Closures [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2017	0
Additions	0
Cash payments	0
Other changes	0
Exchange rate changes	0
As of September 30, 2018	0
Total	0
Acetyl Intermediates [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of September 30, 2018	3
Total	3
Acetyl Intermediates [Member] | Employee Termination Benefits [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2017	1
Additions	0
Cash payments	0
Other changes	0
Exchange rate changes	0
As of September 30, 2018	1
Total	1
Acetyl Intermediates [Member] | Plant/Office Closures [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2017	2
Additions	0
Cash payments	0
Other changes	0
Exchange rate changes	0
As of September 30, 2018	2
Total	2
Other Activities [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of September 30, 2018	0
Total	0
Other Activities [Member] | Employee Termination Benefits [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2017	1
Additions	0
Cash payments	0
Other changes	(1)
Exchange rate changes	0
As of September 30, 2018	0
Total	1
Other Activities [Member] | Plant/Office Closures [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2017	0
Additions	0
Cash payments	0
Other changes	0
Exchange rate changes	0
As of September 30, 2018	0
Total	0
Engineered Materials [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of September 30, 2018	0
Total	0
Engineered Materials [Member] | Employee Termination Benefits [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2017	1
Additions	0
Cash payments	(1)
Other changes	0
Exchange rate changes	0
As of September 30, 2018	0
Total	1
Engineered Materials [Member] | Plant/Office Closures [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2017	0
Additions	0
Cash payments	0
Other changes	0
Exchange rate changes	0
As of September 30, 2018	0
Total	0
Acetate Tow [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of September 30, 2018	2
Total	2
Acetate Tow [Member] | Employee Termination Benefits [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2017	0
Additions	2
Cash payments	0
Other changes	0
Exchange rate changes	0
As of September 30, 2018	2
Total	0
Acetate Tow [Member] | Plant/Office Closures [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
As of December 31, 2017	0
Additions	0
Cash payments	0
Other changes	0
Exchange rate changes	0
As of September 30, 2018	0
Total	$ 0