RESTRUCTURING, IMPAIRMENT AND PLANT CLOSING COSTS (Details 4) $ in Millions | Feb. 12, 2015kt | Dec. 01, 2014item | Dec. 31, 2015USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2015USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2015USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2015USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2014USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2014USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2014USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)item | Dec. 31, 2014USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2013USD ($) |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reversal of reserves no longer required | | | | | | | | | | | $ (13) | $ (5) | $ (26) |
Pension-related settlement charges | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | 2 | 7 |
Accelerated depreciation | | | | | | | | | | | 74 | | |
Other non-cash charges | | | | | | | | | | | 38 | 32 | 13 |
Other non-cash charges | | | | | | | | | | | 112 | 37 | 13 |
Total restructuring, impairment and plant closing costs | | | $ 81 | $ 14 | $ 114 | $ 93 | $ 67 | $ 39 | $ 13 | $ 39 | 302 | 158 | 151 |
Impairment of long-lived assets | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | 26 | |
Calais, France Facility | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accelerated depreciation | | | | | | | | | | | 68 | | |
Other non-cash charges | | | | | | | | | | | 17 | | |
Decrease in titanium dioxide capacity due to closing operations | kt | 100 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Decrease in titanium dioxide capacity due to closing operations (as a percent) | 13.00% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Performance Products | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reversal of reserves no longer required | | | | | | | | | | | (1) | | |
Polyurethanes | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reversal of reserves no longer required | | | | | | | | | | | (4) | (1) | (9) |
Pension-related settlement charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 |
Polyurethanes | Netherlands | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other non-cash charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | |
Advanced Materials | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reversal of reserves no longer required | | | | | | | | | | | | (2) | (8) |
Textile Effects | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reversal of reserves no longer required | | | | | | | | | | | (7) | (1) | (9) |
Textile Effects | Basel, Switzerland | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | 14 | | | | | | | | | 19 | 73 |
Reversal of reserves no longer required | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
Pension-related settlement charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | |
Noncash pension-related charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 |
Pigments and Additives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pension-related settlement charges | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | | |
Pigments and Additives | Calais, France Facility | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Decrease in titanium dioxide capacity due to closing operations | kt | 100 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pigments and Additives | South African asset group of Pigments and Additives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Impairment of long-lived assets | | | $ 19 | | | | | | | | | | |
Corporate and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 8 | 13 | |
Reversal of reserves no longer required | | | | | | | | | | | (1) | (1) | |
Workforce reductions | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reversal of reserves no longer required | | | | | | | | | | | $ (7) | (4) | (22) |
Number of positions terminated | item | | | | | | | | | | | 1,057 | | |
Workforce reductions | Calais, France Facility | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | $ 30 | | |
Workforce reductions | Performance Products | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 8 | 23 | |
Workforce reductions | Performance Products | Surfactants business, Europe | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 13 |
Workforce reductions | Performance Products | Australian operation | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
Workforce reductions | Polyurethanes | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 13 | | 5 |
Reversal of reserves no longer required | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 |
Workforce reductions | Advanced Materials | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 11 | 11 | |
Workforce reductions | Textile Effects | Basel, Switzerland | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | |
Workforce reductions | Pigments | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 4 | | |
Workforce reductions | Pigments and Additives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | $ 57 | | | | $ 61 | | |
Number of positions terminated | item | | | | | | | | | | | 900 | | |
Expected number of positions to be terminated | item | | 900 | | | | | | | | | | | |
Workforce reductions | Corporate and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18 |
Non-cancelable lease costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reversal of reserves no longer required | | | | | | | | | | | $ (6) | | (4) |
Non-cancelable lease costs | Textile Effects | Basel, Switzerland | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | | |
Demolition and decommissioning | Textile Effects | Basel, Switzerland | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 21 | | |
Other restructuring costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reversal of reserves no longer required | | | | | | | | | | | | (1) | |
Other restructuring costs | Textile Effects | Basel, Switzerland | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | |
Other restructuring costs | Pigments and Additives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 15 | | |
Global transformational change program | Advanced Materials | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 38 |
Reversal of reserves no longer required | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 |
Other non-cash charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
2014 initiatives and prior | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 133 | | |
2014 initiatives and prior | Performance Products | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | | |
2014 initiatives and prior | Polyurethanes | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | |
2014 initiatives and prior | Advanced Materials | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | |
2014 initiatives and prior | Textile Effects | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 42 | | |
2014 initiatives and prior | Pigments and Additives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 77 | | |
2014 initiatives and prior | Corporate and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 8 | | |
2014 initiatives and prior | Workforce reductions | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 71 | | |
2014 initiatives and prior | Non-cancelable lease costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 15 | | |
2014 initiatives and prior | Demolition and decommissioning | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 24 | | |
2014 initiatives and prior | Other restructuring costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 23 | | |
2015 initiatives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 67 | | |
2015 initiatives | Performance Products | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 8 | | |
2015 initiatives | Polyurethanes | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 17 | | |
2015 initiatives | Advanced Materials | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 5 | | |
2015 initiatives | Textile Effects | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | | |
2015 initiatives | Pigments and Additives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 34 | | |
2015 initiatives | Corporate and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | |
2015 initiatives | Workforce reductions | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 58 | | |
2015 initiatives | Demolition and decommissioning | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | | |
2015 initiatives | Other restructuring costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | 8 | | |
2013 and prior initiatives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 65 | |
2013 and prior initiatives | Performance Products | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 23 | |
2013 and prior initiatives | Polyurethanes | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 2 | |
2013 and prior initiatives | Advanced Materials | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 10 | |
2013 and prior initiatives | Textile Effects | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 13 | |
2013 and prior initiatives | Pigments and Additives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | |
2013 and prior initiatives | Corporate and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 14 | |
2013 and prior initiatives | Workforce reductions | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 37 | |
2013 and prior initiatives | Non-cancelable lease costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 | |
2013 and prior initiatives | Demolition and decommissioning | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 7 | |
2013 and prior initiatives | Other restructuring costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 17 | |
2014 initiatives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 64 | |
2014 initiatives | Advanced Materials | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 | |
2014 initiatives | Textile Effects | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 6 | |
2014 initiatives | Pigments and Additives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | 57 | |
2014 initiatives | Workforce reductions | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | $ 64 | |
2012 and prior initiatives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 121 |
2012 and prior initiatives | Polyurethanes | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
2012 and prior initiatives | Advanced Materials | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 38 |
2012 and prior initiatives | Textile Effects | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 73 |
2012 and prior initiatives | Pigments and Additives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
2012 and prior initiatives | Corporate and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
2012 and prior initiatives | Workforce reductions | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32 |
2012 and prior initiatives | Non-cancelable lease costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 53 |
2012 and prior initiatives | Demolition and decommissioning | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 |
2012 and prior initiatives | Other restructuring costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 20 |
2013 initiatives | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 36 |
2013 initiatives | Performance Products | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18 |
2013 initiatives | Textile Effects | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1 |
2013 initiatives | Corporate and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17 |
2013 initiatives | Workforce reductions | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | 28 |
2013 initiatives | Other restructuring costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ 8 |
Other initiatives | Textile Effects | Basel, Switzerland | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accrued restructuring costs by type of cost and initiative | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring charges | | | | | | | | | | | $ 6 | | |