Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Millions	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 2,617
Goodwill Adjustments and Acquisitions	2,933
Goodwill, Ending Balance	5,550
Agriculture [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	228
Goodwill Adjustments and Acquisitions	6
Goodwill, Ending Balance	234
Electronics and Communications [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	117
Goodwill Adjustments and Acquisitions	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	117
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	0
Goodwill Adjustments and Acquisitions	914
Goodwill, Ending Balance	914
Nutrition and Health [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	424
Goodwill Adjustments and Acquisitions	2,013
Goodwill, Ending Balance	2,437
Performance Chemicals [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	185
Goodwill Adjustments and Acquisitions	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	185
Performance Coatings [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	809
Goodwill Adjustments and Acquisitions	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	809
Performance Materials [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	410
Goodwill Adjustments and Acquisitions	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	410
Safety and Protection [Member]
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	444
Goodwill Adjustments and Acquisitions	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$ 444

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e
-Clause 1
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 43
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 68
-Subparagraph l
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 142
-Paragraph 45
-Subparagraph e
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 34
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6905597&loc=d3e13816-109267

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388280&loc=d3e13770-109266

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 72
-Subparagraph d
-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

- Definition

The change during the reporting period in the carrying value of goodwill. The change could be the result of new goodwill acquired, goodwill impairment during the period, goodwill written off related to the sale of a business or other adjustments to goodwill.

+ References+ Details