Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Net sales	$ 4,917	$ 4,873	$ 19,383	$ 19,831
Segment operating earnings	607	433	3,937	3,690
Agriculture [Member]
Net sales	1,119	1,093	8,123	8,248
Segment operating earnings	(189)	(210)	1,777	1,700
Segment net assets	10,121		10,121		$ 6,751
Increase in net assets			3,370
Electronics & Communications [Member]
Net sales	493	532	1,439	1,577
Segment operating earnings	108	104	260	272
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Net sales	392	374	1,099	1,081
Segment operating earnings	78	61	203	165
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Net sales	823	810	2,459	2,449
Segment operating earnings	135	102	369	288
Performance Materials [Member]
Net sales	1,334	1,302	3,918	4,021
Segment operating earnings	371	317	969	935
Protection Solutions [Member]
Net sales	722	723	2,237	2,319
Segment operating earnings	162	146	526	494
Other Segment [Member]
Net sales	34	39	108	136
Segment operating earnings	(58)	(87)	(167)	(164)
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment operating earnings	$ 607	$ 433	$ 3,937	$ 3,690