| 
           RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT AND PLANT CLOSING COSTS (Details 4) (USD $) 
        In Millions, unless otherwise specified  | 
        3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Dec. 31, 2012 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2012 
         | 
        
           Jun. 30, 2012 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2011 
         | 
        
           Jun. 30, 2011 
         | 
        
           Mar. 31, 2011 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2009 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2012
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Mar. 31, 2012
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2009
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2009
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Textile Effects
 
          item 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2009
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2009
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Performance Products 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Performance Products 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Corporate and other 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Corporate and other 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Corporate and other 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2009
 
          Corporate and other 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Discontinued Operations 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Discontinued Operations 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Discontinued Operations 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2009
 
          Discontinued Operations 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Workforce reductions 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Workforce reductions 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Workforce reductions 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2009
 
          Workforce reductions 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Performance Products 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Corporate and other 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Corporate and other 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Corporate and other 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Decommissioning 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2009
 
          Decommissioning 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Decommissioning
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Pension curtailment gain
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Pension curtailment gain
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Simplification of the commercial organization and optimization of our distribution network
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Global transformational change program
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Australian styrenics business
 
          Discontinued Operations 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Australian styrenics business
 
          Discontinued Operations 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Australian styrenics business
 
          Discontinued Operations 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Basel, Switzerland
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Basel, Switzerland
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Basel, Switzerland
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Basel, Switzerland
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Basel, Switzerland
 
          Closure of facility
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Basel, Switzerland
 
          Closure of facility
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Langweid, Germany and Basel, Switzerland
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Langweid, Germany and Basel, Switzerland
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Langweid, Germany
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Langweid, Germany
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          North Carolina consolidation
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          North Carolina consolidation
 
          Workforce reductions 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Switzerland Consolidation
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Switzerland Consolidation
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Grimsby, U.K. plant
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Grimsby, U.K. plant
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Grimsby, U.K. plant
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Umbogintwini, South Africa plant
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Huelva, Spain and Scarlino, Italy plants
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Scarlino, Italy plant
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Scarlino, Italy plant
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Textile Effects Acquisition
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Textile Effects Acquisition
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          Textile Effects Acquisition
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2005 initiatives and prior 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2006 initiatives and prior 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2006 initiatives and prior
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2006 initiatives and prior
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2007 initiatives and prior 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2007 initiatives and prior 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2007 initiatives and prior
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2008 initiatives 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2008 initiatives 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2008 initiatives
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2008 initiatives
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2008 initiatives
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2008 initiatives
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2008 initiatives
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2009 initiatives 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2009 initiatives 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2009 initiatives 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2009 initiatives
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2009 initiatives
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2009 initiatives
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2009 initiatives
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2009 initiatives
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2009 initiatives
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2009 initiatives
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2009 initiatives
 
          Corporate and other 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2010 initiatives 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2010 initiatives 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2010 initiatives 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2010 initiatives
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2010 initiatives
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2010 initiatives
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2010 initiatives
 
          Performance Products 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2010 initiatives
 
          Performance Products 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2010 initiatives
 
          Corporate and other 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2010 initiatives
 
          Corporate and other 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2010 initiatives
 
          Corporate and other 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          2010 initiatives
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2011 initiatives 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2011 initiatives 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2011 initiatives
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2011 initiatives
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2011 initiatives
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2011 initiatives
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          2011 initiatives
 
          Pigments 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2012 initiatives 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2012 initiatives
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2012 initiatives
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          2012 initiatives
 
          Corporate and other 
         | 
      |
| Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annualized fixed costs | $ 75 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring charges | 1 | 32 | 5 | 38 | 20 | 4 | 22 | 10 | 38 | 62 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 28 | 15 | 4 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 15 | 23 | 13 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 89 | 3 | 21 | 12 | 65 | 3 | 69 | 38 | 30 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charges related to closure of St. Eons France facility | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charges related to global transfer pricing initiative | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reversal of reserves no longer required | (16) | (5) | (7) | (1) | (3) | (16) | (4) | (1) | (2) | (1) | (15) | (5) | (6) | (16) | (4) | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash charges | 15 | 60 | 2 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring payments | (1) | (9) | (3) | (2) | (1) | (3) | (3) | (2) | (7) | (1) | (1) | (5) | (1) | (1) | (6) | (12) | (16) | (1) | (1) | (3) | (2) | (5) | (11) | (8) | (3) | (4) | (21) | (3) | (1) | (15) | (2) | (1) | (1) | (6) | (2) | (37) | (14) | (14) | (7) | (23) | (5) | (2) | (18) | (12) | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total restructuring, impairment and plant closing costs | 40 | 47 | 5 | (4) | 155 | 9 | 7 | 92 | 167 | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated additional future charges for current restructuring projects | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated additional charges within one year | 100 | 3 | 17 | 80 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Estimated additional charges | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring charges related to redesign | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncash charge related to pension settlement loss | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension curtailment gain | 38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring charges related to the simplification of the commercial organization and optimization of our distribution network | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected additional charges related to closure and workforce reductions | 80 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring reserve | 105 | 92 | 105 | 92 | 49 | 75 | 27 | 27 | 2 | 27 | 12 | 2 | 7 | 42 | 69 | 25 | 17 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 34 | 90 | 73 | 36 | 60 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 3 | 19 | 15 | 31 | 47 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 9 | 16 | 34 | 63 | 53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of long-lived assets at our Basel, Switzerland manufacturing facility | 53 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring reserve related to the streamlining of business | $ 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of new strategic business units resulting from streamlining of business | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||