| 
           DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Details) (USD $) 
        In Millions, unless otherwise specified  | 
        3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Sep. 30, 2012 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2011 
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           Sep. 30, 2012 
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           Sep. 30, 2011 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Ltd ("HCCA")
 
          item 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2012
 
          AUSTRALIA STYRENICS BUSINESS SHUTDOWN 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2011
 
          AUSTRALIA STYRENICS BUSINESS SHUTDOWN 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2012
 
          AUSTRALIA STYRENICS BUSINESS SHUTDOWN 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2011
 
          AUSTRALIA STYRENICS BUSINESS SHUTDOWN 
         | 
      |
| DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS | |||||||||
| Revenues | $ 10 | $ 10 | $ 28 | $ 28 | |||||
| Costs and expenses, net of credits | (11) | 7 | (37) | (34) | |||||
| Operating income | 235 | 77 | 770 | 459 | (1) | 17 | (9) | (6) | |
| Income tax (expense) benefit | 7 | (2) | (1) | (7) | 2 | 1 | |||
| (Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax | $ (1) | $ 10 | $ (7) | $ (5) | $ (1) | $ 10 | $ (7) | $ (5) | |
| Number of claimants with whom the entity has agreed to settle claims | 2 | ||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Represents the number of claimants with whom the entity has agreed to settle claims. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Tax effect allocated to a disposal group that is classified as a component of the entity reported as a separate component of income before extraordinary items. Includes the tax effects of the following: income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Amount of operating expenses attributable to the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Amount of sales or other form of revenues attributable to the disposal group, including a component of the entity (discontinued operation), during the reporting period. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          Amount of income (loss) from a disposal group, net of income tax before extraordinary items allocable to noncontrolling interests. Includes, net of tax, income (loss) from operations during the phase-out period, gain (loss) on disposal, provision (or any reversals of earlier provisions) for loss on disposal, and adjustments of a prior period gain (loss) on disposal. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details 
          
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition 
          The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. No definition available. 
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