Segment Information Level 4 (Details) - Reconciliation of Segment EBITDA to Net Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net (loss) income	$ (70)	$ (47)	$ (146)	$ 59
Income tax expense	9	16	16	40
Interest expense, net	82	76	247	235
Depreciation and amortization	29	30	85	101
Accelerated depreciation	14	21	14	127
Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization	64	96	216	562
Asset impairments (see Note 5)	13	0	13	0
Business realignment costs (income)	10	(3)	27	42
Gain on dispositions	0	0	0	(240)
Realized and unrealized foreign currency (gains) losses	(5)	6	(7)	(3)
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt	0	(3)	3	(47)
Other	14	16	39	50
Total adjustments	32	16	75	(198)
Segment EBITDA [Line Items]	96	112	291	364
Epoxy, Phenolic and Coating Resins [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment EBITDA [Line Items]	45	64	143	230
Forest Products Resins [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment EBITDA [Line Items]	66	65	195	184
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment EBITDA [Line Items]	$ (15)	$ (17)	$ (47)	$ (50)