Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Goodwill) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	$ 4,248	$ 4,332	$ 4,515
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	(84)	(183)
Agriculture [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	336	318	330
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	18	(12)
Electronics & Communications [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	149	149	149
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	0	0
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	839	847	898
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	(8)	(51)
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	2,092	2,193	2,315
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	(101)	(122)
Performance Materials [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	383	375	375
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	8	0
Safety & Protection [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill balance	449	450	$ 448
Goodwill adjustments and acquisitions	$ (1)	$ 2