Employee Separation / Asset Related Charges, Net (2014 Restructuring Program schedule) (Details) - 2014 Restructuring Program [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve		$ 33		$ 78
Restructuring reserve, payments		(45)
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment			$ 2
Severance and Related Benefit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve		31		76
Restructuring reserve, payments		(45)
Other Non-Personnel Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve	[1]	2		$ 2
Restructuring reserve, payments	[1]	$ 0
Agriculture [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment			4
Electronics & Communications [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment			(11)
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment			1
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment			4
Performance Materials [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment			2
Protection Solutions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment			(1)
Other Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring reserve, accrual adjustment			$ 3

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