Employee Separation / Asset Related Charges, Net (2014 Restructuring Program schedule) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment		$ (2)
Restructuring charges			$ 187
2014 Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve		139		$ 268
Restructuring reserve, payments		(118)
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment		(9)
Restructuring reserve, other accrual adjustment		(2)
Restructuring charges			244
Employee Severance [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve		136		264
Restructuring reserve, payments		(117)
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment		(9)
Restructuring reserve, other accrual adjustment		(2)
Restructuring charges			150
Other Non-Personnel Charges [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve	[1]	3		$ 4
Restructuring reserve, payments	[1]	(1)
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment	[1]	0
Restructuring reserve, other accrual adjustment	[1]	0
Restructuring charges	[1]		3
Asset Shut Down Charges [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			91
Agriculture [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment		(4)
Restructuring charges			47
Electronics & Communications [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment		11
Restructuring charges			68
Industrial Biosciences [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment		(1)
Restructuring charges			2
Nutrition & Health [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment		(4)
Restructuring charges			8
Performance Materials [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment		(2)
Restructuring charges			29
Safety & Protection [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment		1
Restructuring charges			31
Other Segment [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment		$ (3)
Restructuring charges			2
Corporate Expenses [Member] | 2014 Restructuring Program [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges			$ 57

[1] Other non-personnel charges consist of contractual obligation costs.