Segment Information (Details) - Revenues by Segment - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 952	$ 914	$ 2,893	$ 2,696
Epoxy, Phenolic and Coating Resins
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	521	528	1,625	1,537
Forest Products Resins
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	431	386	1,268	1,159
North America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	519	469	1,551	1,396
North America | Epoxy, Phenolic and Coating Resins
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	225	215	695	623
North America | Forest Products Resins
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	294	254	856	773
Europe
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	264	269	864	810
Europe | Epoxy, Phenolic and Coating Resins
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	215	220	709	665
Europe | Forest Products Resins
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	49	49	155	145
Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	115	125	319	342
Asia Pacific | Epoxy, Phenolic and Coating Resins
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	80	91	218	243
Asia Pacific | Forest Products Resins
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	35	34	101	99
Latin America
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	54	51	159	148
Latin America | Epoxy, Phenolic and Coating Resins
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1	2	3	6
Latin America | Forest Products Resins
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 53	$ 49	$ 156	$ 142