| 
           CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Parenthetical) (USD $) 
        In Millions, unless otherwise specified  | 
        9 Months Ended | |
|---|---|---|
| 
           Sep. 30, 2012 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2011 
         | 
      |
| Decrease of capital expenditures in accounts payable | $ 1 | $ 12 | 
| 
           HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES 
         | 
        ||
| Decrease of capital expenditures in accounts payable | 1 | 12 | 
| Stock-based compensation | $ 20 | $ 17 | 
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          Future cash outflow to pay for purchases of fixed assets that have occurred. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  | 
        
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          Costs and payments related to employee benefits and equity-based compensation, such as pension expense and contributions, other postretirement benefits expense and payments, stock or unit options expense, and amortization of restricted stock or unit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  |