Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT AND PLANT CLOSING COSTS - RESERVES FOR RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT AND PLANT CLOSING COSTS (Details)

v3.8.0.1
RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT AND PLANT CLOSING COSTS - RESERVES FOR RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT AND PLANT CLOSING COSTS (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Accrued liabilities at the beginning of the period $ 68 $ 77 $ 78
Reversal of reserves no longer required   (2) (13)
Distribution of prefunded restructuring costs   (11)  
Foreign currency effect on liability balance 3 (4) (3)
Accrued liabilities at the end of the period 53 68 77
Current portion of restructuring reserves 15 28  
Long-term portion of restructuring reserves 38 40  
Corporate and other      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Accrued liabilities at the beginning of the period 2 4 4
Restructuring charges     8
Reversal of reserves no longer required   (1) (1)
Accrued liabilities at the end of the period 1 2 4
Current portion of restructuring reserves 1    
Polyurethanes | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Accrued liabilities at the beginning of the period 2 5 6
Reversal of reserves no longer required   (1) (4)
Foreign currency effect on liability balance     (1)
Accrued liabilities at the end of the period 1 2 5
Current portion of restructuring reserves 1    
Performance Products | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Accrued liabilities at the beginning of the period   9 9
Restructuring charges   16  
Reversal of reserves no longer required     (1)
Distribution of prefunded restructuring costs   (6)  
Foreign currency effect on liability balance     (1)
Accrued liabilities at the end of the period 1   9
Current portion of restructuring reserves 1    
Advanced Materials | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Accrued liabilities at the beginning of the period 3 4 5
Foreign currency effect on liability balance   (1)  
Accrued liabilities at the end of the period 3 3 4
Current portion of restructuring reserves 3    
Textile Effects | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Accrued liabilities at the beginning of the period 61 55 54
Reversal of reserves no longer required     (7)
Distribution of prefunded restructuring costs   (5)  
Foreign currency effect on liability balance 3 (3) (1)
Accrued liabilities at the end of the period 47 61 55
Current portion of restructuring reserves 9    
Long-term portion of restructuring reserves 38    
2014 and prior initiatives      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges     56
Restructuring payments     (55)
2014 and prior initiatives | Corporate and other      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges     8
Restructuring payments     (7)
2014 and prior initiatives | Polyurethanes | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges     2
Restructuring payments     (4)
2014 and prior initiatives | Performance Products | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges     3
Restructuring payments     (8)
2014 and prior initiatives | Advanced Materials | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges     1
Restructuring payments     (2)
2014 and prior initiatives | Textile Effects | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges     42
Restructuring payments     (34)
2015 initiatives      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Accrued liabilities at the beginning of the period 67    
Restructuring charges     33
Restructuring payments     (19)
Accrued liabilities at the end of the period 50 67  
2015 initiatives | Corporate and other      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges     1
Restructuring payments     (1)
2015 initiatives | Polyurethanes | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges     17
Restructuring payments     (11)
2015 initiatives | Performance Products | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges     8
Restructuring payments     (1)
2015 initiatives | Advanced Materials | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges     5
Restructuring payments     (5)
2015 initiatives | Textile Effects | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges     2
Restructuring payments     $ (1)
2015 and prior initiatives      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges   47  
Restructuring payments   (40)  
2015 and prior initiatives | Corporate and other      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges   3  
Restructuring payments   (4)  
2015 and prior initiatives | Polyurethanes | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring payments   (3)  
2015 and prior initiatives | Performance Products | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges   16  
Restructuring payments   (19)  
2015 and prior initiatives | Textile Effects | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges   28  
Restructuring payments   (14)  
2016 initiatives      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Accrued liabilities at the beginning of the period 1    
Restructuring charges   6  
Restructuring payments   (5)  
Accrued liabilities at the end of the period 1 1  
2016 initiatives | Corporate and other      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges   1  
Restructuring payments   (1)  
2016 initiatives | Polyurethanes | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges   4  
Restructuring payments   (3)  
2016 initiatives | Textile Effects | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges   1  
Restructuring payments   $ (1)  
2016 and prior initiatives      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges 6    
Restructuring payments (26)    
2016 and prior initiatives | Polyurethanes | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring payments (1)    
2016 and prior initiatives | Textile Effects | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges 6    
Restructuring payments (25)    
2017 initiatives      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges 12    
Restructuring payments (10)    
Accrued liabilities at the end of the period 2    
2017 initiatives | Corporate and other      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges 4    
Restructuring payments (5)    
2017 initiatives | Performance Products | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges 1    
2017 initiatives | Textile Effects | Operating segments      
Accrued restructuring costs roll forward      
Restructuring charges 7    
Restructuring payments $ (5)