Revenue Recognition Disaggregated Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 5,655	$ 6,297	$ 7,155
Intersegment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		(92)	(117)	(129)
Engineered Materials [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		2,081	2,386	2,593
Acetate Tow [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		519	636	649
Acetyl Chain [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	[1]	3,055	3,275	3,913
Acetyl Chain [Member] | Intersegment [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		92	117	129
North America [Member] | Engineered Materials [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		577	735	770
North America [Member] | Acetate Tow [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		92	125	133
North America [Member] | Acetyl Chain [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		1,014	1,079	1,145
Europe and Africa | Engineered Materials [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		906	1,047	1,216
Europe and Africa | Acetate Tow [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		273	258	260
Europe and Africa | Acetyl Chain [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		1,019	1,098	1,236
Asia Pacific [Member] | Engineered Materials [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		534	533	532
Asia Pacific [Member] | Acetate Tow [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		142	224	217
Asia Pacific [Member] | Acetyl Chain [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		951	1,013	1,411
South America [Member] | Engineered Materials [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		64	71	75
South America [Member] | Acetate Tow [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		12	29	39
South America [Member] | Acetyl Chain [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales		$ 71	$ 85	$ 121

[1] Excludes intersegment sales of $92 million, $117 million and $129 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 respectively.