Postretirement benefit plans - Changes in fair values for Level 3 (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
U.S. defined benefit plan
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year			$ 1,071
Fair value of plan assets at end of year (FVPA)	1,082	941	1,071
U.S. defined benefit plan \| Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	37	37
Redemptions and sales	(45)	0
Unrealized gain (loss)	8	0
Fair value of plan assets at end of year (FVPA)	0	37
Non-U.S. defined benefit plan
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year			2,218
Fair value of plan assets at end of year (FVPA)	2,213	2,179	2,218
Non-U.S. defined benefit plan \| Level 3
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	8	19
Redemptions and sales	(2)	(10)
Unrealized gain (loss)	(1)	(1)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year (FVPA)	$ 5	$ 8

This element represents the unrealized gains/losses during the period.

No definition available.

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- Details

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- Definition

Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 30

-Section 35

-Paragraph 50

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29635418&loc=d3e12355-114930

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in plan assets from purchases, sales and settlement of plan obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (d)(iv)(02)(B)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e1928-114920

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph (c)(iv)(02)(B)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2446-114920

+ Details

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- Details

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