Employee Separation / Asset Related Charges, Net Employee Separation / Asset Related Charges, Net (2016 Restructuring Program schedule )(Details) - 2016 Restructuring Program [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			$ 2
Restructuring Reserve		$ 63		$ 122
Restructuring reserve, payments		(60)
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment		1
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment			(16)
Severance and Related Benefit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve		51		100
Restructuring reserve, payments		(50)
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment		1
Other Non-Personnel Charges [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve	[1]	12		$ 22
Restructuring reserve, payments	[1]	(10)
Restructuring reserve, net translation adjustment	[1]	$ 0
Agriculture [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			21
Electronics & Communications [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			(7)
Industrial Biosciences [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			(1)
Nutrition & Health [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			(1)
Performance Materials [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			4
Protection Solutions [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			(3)
Other Segment [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			3
Corporate Expenses [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost			(14)
Restructuring Reserve, Accrual Adjustment			$ 14

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