Registration of securities issued in business combination transactions

INCOME TAXES (Details)

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INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Dec. 31, 2008
Reconciliation between the U.S. federal income taxes at the U.S. statutory rate                
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes $ 183 $ 16 $ 612 $ 280 $ 370 $ 184 $ (240)  
Expected tax expense at U.S. statutory rate of 35%         130 64 (84)  
Change resulting from:                
State tax expense (benefit) net of federal benefit         7 (4) (1)  
Non-U.S. tax rate differentials         6 (16) 46  
Effects of non-U.S. operations         8 29 (4)  
Tax authority dispute resolutions         (4) (21) (6)  
Tax benefit of losses with valuation allowances as a result of other comprehensive income         (1) (4) (39)  
Change in valuation allowance         (19) (22) 230  
Other, net         (14) 14 17  
Total income tax expense 62 55 188 111 113 40 159  
U.S. income tax statutory rate (as a percent)         35.00% 35.00% 35.00%  
Income tax (expense) benefit   7 (2) (1) 5 (10) 80  
Component of income (loss) from continuing operations before income                
U.S.         255 38 92  
Non-U.S.         115 146 (332)  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 183 16 612 280 370 184 (240)  
U.S.                
Current         7 (23) 67  
Deferred         69 45 (13)  
Non-U.S.                
Current         63 41 17  
Deferred         (26) (23) 88  
Total 62 55 188 111 113 40 159  
Deferred income tax assets:                
Net operating loss carryforwards         895 970    
Pension and other employee compensation         254 216    
Property, plant and equipment         77 97    
Intangible assets         35 50    
Foreign tax credits         82 75    
Other, net         140 116    
Total         1,483 1,524    
Deferred income tax liabilities:                
Property, plant and equipment         (515) (520)    
Pension and other employee compensation         (25) (19)    
Other, net         (107) (110)    
Total         (647) (649)    
Net deferred tax asset before valuation allowance         836 875    
Valuation allowance         (768) (813) (861) (681)
Net deferred tax assets (liability)         68 62    
Current deferred tax asset 40   40   40 40    
Current deferred tax liability (29)   (29)   (29) (63)    
Non-current deferred tax asset         163 179    
Non-current deferred tax liability (272)   (272)   (106) (94)    
Australian styrenics business
               
Change resulting from:                
Income tax (expense) benefit   $ (7) $ 2 $ 1 $ 2 $ 28 $ 74