| 
           OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) 
        In Millions, unless otherwise specified  | 
        3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Sep. 30, 2012 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2011 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2012
 
          segment 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2011 
         | 
      |
| OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION | ||||
| Number of segments | 5 | |||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Revenues | $ 2,741 | $ 2,976 | $ 8,568 | $ 8,589 | 
| Segment EBITDA | 341 | 204 | 1,083 | 766 | 
| Interest expense, net | (56) | (63) | (172) | (187) | 
| Income tax expense-continuing operations | (61) | (55) | (186) | (111) | 
| Income tax (expens e) benefit-dis continued operations | (7) | 2 | 1 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | (108) | (113) | (324) | (327) | 
| Net income (loss) attributable to Huntsman Corporation or Huntsman International LLC | 116 | (34) | 403 | 142 | 
| 
           Subtotal 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Segment EBITDA | 341 | 187 | 1,087 | 772 | 
| 
           Polyurethanes 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Revenues | 1,244 | 1,209 | 3,735 | 3,391 | 
| Segment EBITDA | 203 | 136 | 544 | 392 | 
| 
           Performance Products 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Revenues | 742 | 846 | 2,319 | 2,546 | 
| Segment EBITDA | 107 | 97 | 282 | 325 | 
| 
           Advanced Materials 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Revenues | 328 | 349 | 1,014 | 1,059 | 
| Segment EBITDA | 24 | 2 | 77 | 69 | 
| 
           Textile Effects 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Revenues | 182 | 173 | 562 | 563 | 
| Segment EBITDA | (22) | (157) | (37) | (175) | 
| 
           Pigments 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Revenues | 319 | 455 | 1,150 | 1,243 | 
| Segment EBITDA | 69 | 161 | 346 | 357 | 
| 
           Eliminations 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Revenues | (74) | (56) | (212) | (213) | 
| 
           Corporate and other 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Segment EBITDA | (40) | (52) | (125) | (196) | 
| 
           Discontinued Operations 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Segment EBITDA | 17 | (4) | (6) | |
| 
           HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Revenues | 2,741 | 2,976 | 8,568 | 8,589 | 
| Segment EBITDA | 340 | 204 | 1,083 | 766 | 
| Interest expense, net | (59) | (66) | (181) | (197) | 
| Income tax expense-continuing operations | (62) | (55) | (188) | (111) | 
| Income tax (expens e) benefit-dis continued operations | (7) | 2 | 1 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | (102) | (107) | (306) | (310) | 
| Net income (loss) attributable to Huntsman Corporation or Huntsman International LLC | 117 | (31) | 410 | 149 | 
| 
           HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES | Subtotal 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Segment EBITDA | 340 | 187 | 1,087 | 772 | 
| 
           HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES | Polyurethanes 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Segment EBITDA | 203 | 136 | 544 | 392 | 
| 
           HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES | Performance Products 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Segment EBITDA | 107 | 97 | 282 | 325 | 
| 
           HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES | Advanced Materials 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Segment EBITDA | 24 | 2 | 77 | 69 | 
| 
           HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES | Textile Effects 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Segment EBITDA | (22) | (157) | (37) | (175) | 
| 
           HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES | Pigments 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Segment EBITDA | 69 | 161 | 346 | 357 | 
| 
           HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES | Corporate and other 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Segment EBITDA | (41) | (52) | (125) | (196) | 
| 
           HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES | Discontinued Operations 
         | 
        ||||
| Segment reporting information | ||||
| Segment EBITDA | $ 17 | $ (4) | $ (6) | |