| 
           SELECTED UNAUDITED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Details 2) (USD $) 
        In Millions, unless otherwise specified  | 
        12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 
           Dec. 31, 2012 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Stereolithography resin and Digitalis machine manufacturing businesses 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Advanced Materials 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Advanced Materials
 
          Global transformational change program 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Advanced Materials
 
          Stereolithography resin and Digitalis machine manufacturing businesses 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Sep. 30, 2012
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Mar. 31, 2012
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Textile Effects 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          Workforce reductions
 
          Polyurethanes 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2011
 
          HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2010
 
          HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES 
         | 
        
           Dec. 31, 2012
 
          HUNTSMAN INTERNATIONAL LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
          2016 Senior Notes 
         | 
      |
| Quarterly Financial Information | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring charges | $ 4 | $ 22 | $ 38 | $ 20 | $ 28 | $ 1 | $ 32 | $ 5 | $ 62 | $ 38 | ||||||||||
| Impairment of long-lived assets at our Basel, Switzerland manufacturing facility | 53 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on sale | 38 | (8) | 34 | 34 | 38 | (8) | ||||||||||||||
| Annualized fixed costs | 75 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on early extinguishment of debt | (80) | (7) | (183) | (80) | (7) | (37) | 77 | |||||||||||||
| Principal Amount of Notes Redeemed | $ 400 | |||||||||||||||||||
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          Represents expected amount of annual fixed costs to be reduced due to implementation of a restructuring program. No definition available. 
  | 
        
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Details 
          
  | 
        
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          The charge against earnings resulting from the aggregate write down of all assets from their carrying value to their fair value. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  | 
        
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          The gain (loss) resulting from the sale of a disposal group that is not a discontinued operation. It is included in income from continuing operations before income taxes in the income statement. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  | 
        
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          Gross amount of debt extinguished. No definition available. 
  | 
        
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  | 
        
| X | ||||||||||
| 
             
- Definition 
          Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructurings pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding asset retirement obligations. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
  |