Employee Separation / Asset Related Charges, Net Employee Separation / Asset Related Charges, Net (2017 Restructuring Program schedule) (Details) - 2017 Restructuring Program [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		$ 152
Restructuring reserve, payments		(1)
Restructuring reserve, asset write-offs		(119)
Restructuring Reserve		32
Severance and Related Benefit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		33
Restructuring reserve, payments		(1)
Restructuring reserve, asset write-offs		0
Restructuring Reserve		32
Asset Related Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	[1]	119
Restructuring reserve, payments	[1]	0
Restructuring reserve, asset write-offs	[1]	(119)
Restructuring Reserve	[1]	0
Electronics & Communications [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		5
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		6
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		2
Performance Materials [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		11
Protection Solutions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		124
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost		$ 4
Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			$ 326
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Severance and Related Benefit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			33
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Asset Related Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			$ 293

[1] Includes accelerated depreciation related to site closure. Charge for accelerated depreciation represents the difference between the depreciation expense to be recognized over the revised useful life of the site, based upon the anticipated date the site will be closed and depreciation expense as determined utilizing the useful life prior to the restructuring action.