| Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Principles of Consolidation— The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its majority-owned subsidiaries in which minority shareholders hold no substantive participating rights, and variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s share of the net earnings of 20% to 50% owned companies, for which it has the ability to exercise significance influence over operating and financial policies (but not control), are included in “Earnings from unconsolidated entities, net of taxes” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Investments in the other companies are carried at cost. The Company has recorded a noncontrolling interest for the equity interests in consolidated subsidiaries that are not 100% owned. The Company’s unconsolidated investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting include the following as of December 31, 2016: • 49.99% interest in Momentive UV Coatings (Shanghai) Co., Ltd, a joint venture that manufactures UV-curable coatings and adhesives in China; • 50% ownership interest in Hexion Shchekinoazot Holding B.V., a joint venture that manufactures forest products resins in Russia; • 49% ownership interest in Sanwei Hexion Company Limited, a joint venture that manufactures versatic acid derivatives in China; • 50% ownership interest in Hexion Australia Pty Ltd, a joint venture which provides urea formaldehyde resins and other products to industrial customers in western Australia; and • 50% ownership interest in MicroBlend Columbia S.A.S, a joint venture that distributes custom point-of-sale paint mixing systems and paint bases to consumer retail stores in Latin America. Foreign Currency Translations and Transactions —Assets and liabilities of foreign affiliates are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income, expenses and cash flows are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The Company recognized transaction gains of $10 and losses of $9 and $33 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, which are included as a component of “Net loss.” In addition, gains or losses related to the Company’s intercompany loans payable and receivable denominated in a foreign currency other than the subsidiary’s functional currency that are deemed to be permanently invested are remeasured to cumulative translation and recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The effect of translation is included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss.” Use of Estimates —The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and also the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. In addition, it requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates that are included in the financial statements are environmental remediation liabilities, legal liabilities, deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances, income tax accruals, pension and postretirement assets and liabilities, valuation allowances for accounts receivable and inventories, general insurance liabilities, asset impairments and fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business acquisitions. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents —The Company considers all highly liquid investments that are purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2016 and 2015 , the Company had interest-bearing time deposits and other cash equivalent investments of $7 and $37 , respectively. The Company’s restricted cash balances consist primarily of amounts on deposit to secure various international lines of credit, as well as amounts deposited to secure certain bank guarantees issued to third parties to guarantee potential obligations of the company primarily related to the completion of tax audits and environmental liabilities. These balances will remain restricted as long as the underlying exposures exist. These amounts are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of “Cash and cash equivalents.” Allowance for Doubtful Accounts — The allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated using factors such as customer credit ratings and past collection history. Receivables are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts when it is probable that the receivable will not be collected. Inventories —Inventories are stated at lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method. Costs include direct material, direct labor and applicable manufacturing overheads, which are based on normal production capacity. Abnormal manufacturing costs are recognized as period costs and fixed manufacturing overheads are allocated based on normal production capacity. An allowance is provided for excess and obsolete inventories based on management’s review of inventories on-hand compared to estimated future usage and sales. Inventories in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are presented net of an allowance for excess and obsolete inventory of $9 and $7 at December 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Deferred Expenses —Deferred debt financing costs are included in “Long-term debt” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the exception of deferred financing costs related to revolving line of credit arrangements, which are included in “Other long-term assets” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These costs are amortized over the life of the related debt or credit facility using the effective interest method. Upon extinguishment of any debt, the related debt issuance costs are written off. At December 31, 2016 and 2015 , the Company’s unamortized deferred financing costs included in “Other long-term assets” were $9 and $8 , respectively, and unamortized deferred financing costs included in “Long-term debt” were $38 and $ 51 , respectively. Property and Equipment —Land, buildings and machinery and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of properties (the average estimated useful lives for buildings and machinery and equipment are 20 years and 15 years, respectively). Assets under capital leases are amortized over the lesser of their useful life or the lease term. Major renewals and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance, repairs, minor renewals and turnarounds (periodic maintenance and repairs to major units of manufacturing facilities) are expensed as incurred. When property and equipment is retired or disposed of, the asset and related depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in operating income. The Company capitalizes interest costs that are incurred during the construction of property and equipment. Depreciation expense was $119 , $ 124 and $ 130 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2016, $129 of accelerated depreciation was recorded as a result of shortening the estimated useful lives of certain long-lived assets related to planned facility rationalizations during the year. Lastly, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, “Accounts payable” in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows was increased by $4, decreased by $4 and decreased by $7, respectively, to reflect invoiced but unpaid capital expenditures at each respective year-end as a non-cash investing activity. Capitalized Software —The Company capitalizes certain costs, such as software coding, installation and testing, that are incurred to purchase or create and implement computer software for internal use. Amortization is recorded on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives, which range from 1 to 5 years. Goodwill and Intangibles —The excess of purchase price over net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired is carried as “Goodwill” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Separately identifiable intangible assets that are used in the operations of the business (e.g., patents and technology, tradenames, customer lists and contracts) are recorded at cost (fair value at the time of acquisition) and reported as “Other intangible assets, net” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Costs to renew or extend the term of identifiable intangible assets are expensed as incurred. The Company does not amortize goodwill. Intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the legal or useful life of the assets, which range from 1 to 30 years (see Note 5). Impairment —The Company reviews property and equipment and all amortizable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is based on estimated undiscounted cash flows or other relevant observable measures. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually, or when events or changes in circumstances indicate impairment may exist, by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value to determine if there is an indication that a potential impairment may exist. Long-Lived and Amortizable Intangible Assets There were no long-lived asset impairments recorded during the year ended December 31, 2016. During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded long-lived asset impairments of $6 and $5 , respectively, which are included in “Asset impairments” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations (see Note 6). Goodwill The Company performs an annual assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of any events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s net assets. If, after assessing all events and circumstances, the Company determines it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s net assets, the Company uses a probability weighted market and income approach to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. The Company’s market approach is a comparable analysis technique commonly used in the investment banking and private equity industries based on the EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) multiple technique. Under this technique, estimated fair value is the result of a market-based EBITDA multiple that is applied to an appropriate historical EBITDA amount, adjusted for the additional fair value that would be assigned by a market participant obtaining control over the reporting unit. The Company’s income approach is a discounted cash flow model. When the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill is greater than the estimated fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference. As of October 1, 2016 and 2015, the estimated fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units was deemed to be substantially in excess of the carrying amount of assets (including goodwill) and liabilities assigned to each reporting unit. General Insurance —The Company is generally insured for losses and liabilities for workers’ compensation, physical damage to property, business interruption and comprehensive general, product and vehicle liability under high-deductible insurance policies. The Company records losses when they are probable and reasonably estimable and amortizes insurance premiums over the life of the respective insurance policies. Legal Claims and Costs —The Company accrues for legal claims and costs in the period in which a claim is made or an event becomes known, if the amounts are probable and reasonably estimable. Each claim is assigned a range of potential liability and the most likely amount is accrued. If there is no amount in the range of potential liability that is most likely, the low end of the range is accrued. The amount accrued includes all costs associated with the claim, including settlements, assessments, judgments and fines. Legal fees are expensed as incurred (see Note 9). Environmental Matters —Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Environmental accruals are reviewed on a quarterly basis and as events and developments warrant (see Note 9). Asset Retirement Obligations —Asset retirement obligations are initially recorded at their estimated net present values in the period in which the obligation occurs, with a corresponding increase to the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its settlement value and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. When the liability is settled, a gain or loss is recognized for any difference between the settlement amount and the liability that was recorded. Revenue Recognition —Revenue for product sales, net of estimated allowances and returns, is recognized as risk and title to the product transfer to the customer, which either occurs at the time shipment is made or upon delivery. In situations where product is delivered by pipeline, risk and title transfers when the product moves across an agreed-upon transfer point, which is typically the customers’ property line. Product sales delivered by pipeline are measured based on daily flow meter readings. The Company’s standard terms of delivery are included in its contracts of sale or on its invoices. Shipping and Handling —Freight costs that are billed to customers are included in “Net sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Shipping costs are incurred to move the Company’s products from production and storage facilities to the customer. Handling costs are incurred from the point the product is removed from inventory until it is provided to the shipper and generally include costs to store, move and prepare the products for shipment. Shipping and handling costs are recorded in “Cost of sales” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Research and Development Costs —Funds are committed to research and development activities for technical improvement of products and processes that are expected to contribute to future earnings. All costs associated with research and development are charged to expense as incurred. Research and development and technical service expense was $ 59 , $ 65 and $ 72 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , respectively, and is included in “Selling, general and administrative expense” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Business Realignment Costs —The Company incurred “Business realignment costs” totaling $55 , $ 16 and $ 47 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 , respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2016, these costs primarily included costs related to the rationalization at our Norco, LA manufacturing facility and costs related to certain in-process cost reduction programs. For the year ended December 31, 2015, these costs primarily included expenses related to certain in-process cost reduction programs, as well as costs for environmental remediation at certain formerly owned locations. For the year ended December 31, 2014, these costs primarily included expenses from the Company’s newly implemented restructuring and cost optimization programs, as well as costs for environmental remediation at certain formerly owned locations. Pension and Other Non-Pension Postretirement Benefit Liabilities —Pension and other non-pension postretirement benefit (“OPEB”) assumptions are significant inputs to the actuarial models that measure pension and OPEB benefit obligations and related effects on operations. Two assumptions, discount rate and expected return on assets, are important elements of plan expense and asset/liability measurement. The Company evaluates these critical assumptions at least annually on a plan and country-specific basis. The Company periodically evaluates other assumptions involving demographic factors, such as retirement age, mortality and turnover, and updates them to reflect the Company's experience and expectations for the future. Actual results in any given year will often differ from actuarial assumptions because of economic and other factors. Accumulated and projected benefit obligations are measured as the present value of future cash payments. The Company discounts these cash payments using a split-rate interest approach. This approach uses multiple interest rates from market-observed forward yield curves which correspond to the estimated timing of the related benefit payments. Lower discount rates increase present values and subsequent-year pension expense; higher discount rates decrease present values and subsequent-year pension and OPEB expense. To determine the expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets, the Company considers current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on various categories of plan assets. In developing future return expectations for the principal benefit plans’ assets, the Company evaluates general market trends as well as key elements of asset class returns such as expected earnings growth, yields and spreads across a number of potential scenarios. Upon the Company’s annual remeasurement of its pension and OPEB liabilities in the fourth quarter, or on an interim basis as triggering events warrant remeasurement, the Company immediately recognizes gains and losses as a mark-to-market (“MTM”) gain or loss through earnings. As such, the Company’s net periodic pension and OPEB expense consists of i) service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost/credits recognized on a quarterly basis and ii) MTM adjustments recognized annually in the fourth quarter upon remeasurement of pension and OPEB liabilities or when triggering events warrant remeasurement. Income Taxes —The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of the assets and liabilities. Deferred tax balances are adjusted to reflect tax rates, based on current tax laws, which will be in effect in the years in which temporary differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized (see Note 14). Unrecognized tax benefits are generated when there are differences between tax positions taken in a tax return and amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Tax benefits are recognized in the consolidated financial statements when it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination. Tax benefits are measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. The Company classifies interest and penalties as a component of tax expense. Derivative Financial Instruments— The Company is a party to forward exchange contracts, foreign exchange rate swaps, interest rate swaps, natural gas futures and electricity forward contracts to reduce its cash flow exposure to changes in interest rates and natural gas and electricity prices. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. These instruments are not accounted for using hedge accounting, but are measured at fair value and recorded in the balance sheet as an asset or liability, depending upon the Company’s underlying rights or obligations. Changes in fair value are recognized in earnings. Stock-Based Compensation —Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award which is amortized as expense over the requisite service period on a graded-vesting basis (see Note 11). Transfers of Financial Assets —The Company executes factoring and sales agreements with respect to its trade accounts receivable to support its working capital requirements. The Company accounts for these transactions as either sales-type or financing-type transfers of financial assets based on the terms and conditions of each agreement. For the portion of the sales price that is deferred in a reserve account and subsequently collected, the Company’s policy is to classify the cash in-flows as cash flows from operating activities as the predominant source of the cash flows pertains to the Company’s trade accounts receivable. When the Company retains the servicing rights on the transfers of accounts receivable, it measures these rights at fair value, if material. Concentrations of Credit Risk —Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are primarily temporary investments and accounts receivable. The Company places its temporary investments with high quality institutions and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any one institution. Concentrations of credit risk for accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of customers in the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across many different industries and geographies. The Company generally does not require collateral or other security to support customer receivables. Concentrations of Supplier Risk —The Company relies on long-term agreements with key suppliers for most of its raw materials. The loss of a key source of supply or a delay in shipments could have an adverse effect on its business. Should any of the suppliers fail to deliver or should any of the key long-term supply contracts be canceled, the Company would be forced to purchase raw materials at current market prices. The Company’s largest supplier provides approximately 10% of raw material purchases. In addition, several of the feedstocks at various facilities are transported through a pipeline from one supplier. Subsequent Events —The Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to December 31, 2016 through the date of issuance of its Consolidated Financial Statements. Reclassifications —Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform with current presentations. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Newly Issued Accounting Standards In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Board Update No. 2014-09: Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 supersedes the existing revenue recognition guidance and most industry-specific guidance applicable to revenue recognition. According to the new guidance, an entity will apply a principles-based five step model to recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The revised effective date for ASU 2014-09 is for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and early adoption will be permitted for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. Entities will have the option of using either a full retrospective approach or a modified approach to adopt the guidance in ASU 2014-09. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of ASU 2014-09 on its financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Board Update No. 2015-11: Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330) (“ASU 2015-11”) as part of the FASB simplification initiative. ASU 2015-11 replaces the existing concept of market value of inventory (where market was defined as replacement cost, with a ceiling of net realizable value and floor of net realizable value less a normal profit margin) with the single measurement of net realizable value. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The requirements of ASU 2015-11 are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Board Update No. 2016-02: Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 supersedes the existing lease guidance in Topic 840. According to the new guidance, all leases, with limited scope exceptions, will be recorded on the balance sheet in the form of a liability to make lease payments (lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. Entities will be required to adopt ASU 2016-02 using a modified retrospective approach, whereby leases will be recognized and measured at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of ASU 2016-02 on its financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Board Update No. 2016-07: Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting (Topic 323) (“ASU 2016-07”) as part of the FASB simplification initiative. ASU 2016-07 eliminates the requirement that when an existing investment qualifies for use of the equity method, an investor adjust the investment, results of operations and retained earnings retroactively as if the equity method has been in effect in all previous periods that the investment had been held. Under the new guidance, the equity method investor is only required to adopt the equity method as of the date the investment qualifies for the equity method, with no retrospective adjustment required. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early adoption is permitted. The requirements of ASU 2016-07 are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements. In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Board Update No. 2016-09: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718) (“ASU 2016-09”) as part of the FASB simplification initiative. ASU 2016-09 simplifies various aspects of share-based payment accounting, including the income tax consequences, classification of equity awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early adoption is permitted. The requirements of ASU 2016-09 are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s financial statements. In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Board Update No. 2016-15: Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) (“ASU 2016-15”) as part of the FASB simplification initiative. ASU 2016-15 provides guidance on treatment in the statement of cash flows for eight specific cash flow topics, with the objective of reducing existing diversity in practice. Of the eight cash flow topics addressed in the new guidance, the topics expected to have an impact on the Company include debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims and distributions received from equity method investees. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of ASU 2016-15 on its financial statements. In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Board Update No. 2016-18: Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”) as part of the FASB simplification initiative. ASU 2016-18 requires that amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 also requires supplemental disclosure regarding the nature of restrictions on a company’s cash and cash equivalents, such as the purpose and terms of the restriction, expected duration of the restriction and the amount of cash subject to restriction. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of ASU 2016-18 on its financial statements. Newly Adopted Accounting Standards In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Board Update No. 2014-15: Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern - Disclosures of Uncertainties about an entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 provides new guidance related to management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards and to provide related footnote disclosures. This new guidance is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The Company adopted the requirements of ASU 2014-15 as of December 31, 2016, which did not impact the Company’s financial statements or disclosure. |
