Fair Value Level 4 (Details) - Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements of Long-lived assets held and used (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Losses as a result of measuring assets at fair value on a non-recurring basis	$ 23	$ 18
Long-Lived Assets Held and Used - Qualitative Factors to Fair Value Measures - Customer Loss [Member] | Epoxy, Phenolic and Coating Resins [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying Value of Long-Lived Assets held and Used	26
Fair Value of Long-Lived Assets held and Used	5
Long-Lived Assets Held and Used - Qualitative Factors to Fair Value Measures - Customer Loss [Member] | Forest Products Resins [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	2	18
Carrying Value of Long-Lived Assets held and Used	22	29
Fair Value of Long-Lived Assets held and Used	20	11
Long-Lived Assets Held and Used - Qualitative Factors to Fair Value Measures - Customer Loss [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate for probability-weighted forecast model	2.00%
Long-Lived Assets Held and Used - Qualitative Factors to Fair Value Measures - Customer Loss [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate for probability-weighted forecast model	10.00%
Long-Lived Assets Held and Used - Qualitative Factors to Fair Value Measures [Member] | Epoxy, Phenolic and Coating Resins [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	15
Long-Lived Assets Held and Used - Qualitative Factors to Fair Value Measures [Member] | Forest Products Resins [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	$ 6
Long-Lived Assets Held and Used - Qualitative Factors to Fair Value Measures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate for probability-weighted forecast model	2.00%
Long-Lived Assets Held and Used - Qualitative Factors to Fair Value Measures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Discount rate for probability-weighted forecast model	3.00%