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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Schedule of Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Amortization expense, other intangible assets, excluding software $ 436us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets [1] $ 461us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets [1] $ 478us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets [1]
Amortization expense, software, included in 'Cost of sales' 70us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAmortization 67us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAmortization 63us-gaap_CapitalizedComputerSoftwareAmortization
Amortization of intangibles [Member]      
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) 3us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= dow_AmortizationofintangiblesMember
   
Goodwill and other intangible asset impairment losses [Member]      
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) 50us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= dow_GoodwillandotherintangibleassetimpairmentlossesMember
   
Cost of Sales [Member]      
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]      
Impairment of Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)   $ 3us-gaap_ImpairmentOfIntangibleAssetsExcludingGoodwill
/ us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis
= us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
 
[1] Includes a $3 million asset impairment charge related to intangible assets in 2013.