FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Additional Information) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended					3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Equipolymers [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Polyurethanes [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Epoxy [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Dow Automotive Systems [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 North America and Europe [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]		Dec. 31, 2010 North America and Europe [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on a Nonrecurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]
Assets at fair value, Long-lived assets and other assets				$ 0	$ 0
Asset impairment charges							48	18	9
Other Asset Impairment Charges	(27)	(75)	(454)
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment						65
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period, fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs										1,267	[1]	0	[1]
Gain included in earnings, fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs										3	[1],[2]	8	[1],[2]
Purchases, fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs										1,679	[1]	2,292	[1]
Settlements, fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs										(1,808)	[1]	(1,033)	[1]
Balance at end of period, fair value measurements using Level 3 inputs										1,141	[1]	1,267	[1]
Derivative, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash	$ 11	$ 4

[1] Included in “Accounts and notes receivable – Other” in the consolidated balance sheets.

[2] Included in "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the consolidated statements of income.