Sigma Aldrich (SIAL) 10-K 12 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	SIGMA ALDRICH CORP
Entity Central Index Key	90185
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		119,428,462
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant			$10,494,011,992

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Sales	$2,785	$2,704	$2,623
Cost of products and services sold	1,366	1,343	1,276
Gross profit	1,419	1,361	1,347
Selling, general and administrative expenses	639	612	605
Research and development expenses	65	66	69
Other charges	34	22	14
Operating income	681	661	659
Interest, net	4	4	4
Total income before taxes	677	657	655
Provision for income taxes	177	166	195
Net income	$500	$491	$460
Net income per share - Basic (in dollars per share)	$4.20	$4.09	$3.80
Net income per share - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$4.17	$4.06	$3.77
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic	119	120	121
Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted	120	121	122
Dividends per share (in dollars per share)	$0.92	$0.86	$0.80

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net income	$500	$491	$460
Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation gain/(loss), net	-120	0	23
Pension and post retirement, net	-40	55	10
Unrealized gain/(loss) on securities, net	0	-3	3
Unrealized gain/(loss) on forward exchange contracts, net	22	-1	3
Total other comprehensive income/(loss)	-138	51	39
Comprehensive income	$362	$542	$499

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$958	$722
Accounts receivable	397	382
Inventories	699	699
Deferred taxes	46	31
Other	147	87
Total current assets	2,247	1,921
Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment	2,108	2,098
Less - accumulated depreciation	-1,322	-1,292
Property, plant and equipment, net	786	806
Goodwill	756	691
Intangibles, net	292	255
Other	114	132
Total assets	4,195	3,805
Current liabilities:
Notes payable	145	65
Accounts payable	183	152
Payroll	81	64
Income taxes	0	25
Other	81	77
Total current liabilities	490	383
Long-term debt	300	300
Pension and post-retirement benefits	103	73
Deferred taxes	69	74
Other	103	80
Total liabilities	1,065	910
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 10 million shares authorized at December 31, 2014, none authorized at December 31, 2013; none issued or outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	0	0
Common stock, $1.00 par value; 450 million shares authorized at December 31, 2014 and 300 million shares authorized at December 31, 2013; 202 million shares issued at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013; 119 million shares outstanding at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013	202	202
Capital in excess of par value	383	322
Common stock in treasury, at cost, 83 million shares at December 31, 2014 and 2013	-2,486	-2,407
Retained earnings	5,049	4,658
Accumulated other comprehensive income	-18	120
Total stockholders' equity	3,130	2,895
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$4,195	$3,805

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Preferred stock, par value	$1	$1
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common Stock, par value	$1	$1
Common Stock, shares authorized	450,000,000	300,000,000
Common Stock, shares issued	202,000,000	202,000,000
Common Stock, shares outstanding	119,000,000	119,000,000
Common Stock in treasury, shares	83,000,000	83,000,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Capital in Excess of Par Value	Common Stock in Treasury	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$2,199	$202	$225	($2,165)	$3,907	$30
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		202,000,000		81,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	460				460
Other comprehensive income	39					39
Dividends	-97				-97
Exercise of stock options	54		36	18
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		0		-1,000,000
Restricted stock unit grant	6		6	0
Stock-based compensation expense	9		9
Stock repurchases	-124			-124
Stock repurchases (in shares)		0		2,000,000
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	2,546	202	276	-2,271	4,270	69
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		202,000,000		82,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	491				491
Other comprehensive income	51					51
Dividends	-103				-103
Exercise of stock options	35		24	11
Exercise of stock options (in shares)		0		-1,000,000
Restricted stock unit grant	6		7	-1
Stock-based compensation expense	15		15
Stock repurchases	-146			-146
Stock repurchases (in shares)		0		2,000,000
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	2,895	202	322	-2,407	4,658	120
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		202,000,000		83,000,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	500				500
Other comprehensive income	-138					-138
Dividends	-109				-109
Exercise of stock options	47		37	10
Exercise of stock options (in shares)	-778,657	0		-1,000,000
Restricted stock unit grant	5		9	-4
Stock-based compensation expense	15		15
Stock repurchases	-85			-85
Stock repurchases (in shares)		0		1,000,000
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$3,130	$202	$383	($2,486)	$5,049	($18)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		202,000,000		83,000,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$500	$491	$460
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	132	138	136
Deferred income taxes	-10	-8	34
Stock-based compensation expense	23	22	17
Restructuring, net of payments	9	8	0
Other	-4	-15	-5
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	-39	-32	-15
Inventories	-7	12	-44
Accounts payable	39	-8	10
Income taxes	-8	3	-10
Other	5	30	-16
Net cash provided by operating activities	640	641	567
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-118	-100	-114
Purchases of investments	-53	-100	-97
Proceeds from sales of investments	50	83	97
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	-170	0	-391
Proceeds from sale of net assets	0	13	0
Other, net	-5	-4	-6
Net cash (used in) investing activities	-296	-108	-511
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net issuance/(repayment) of short-term debt	81	-318	161
Dividends	-109	-103	-97
Share repurchases	-85	-146	-124
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	33	27	41
Other	9	7	13
Net cash (used in) financing activities	-71	-533	-6
Effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes on cash	-37	-2	9
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	236	-2	59
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1	722	724	665
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31	958	722	724
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Income taxes paid	180	160	156
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest	$7	$9	$8

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Nature of Operations. The Company develops, manufactures, purchases and distributes a broad range of high quality biochemical and organic chemical products, kits and services that are used in scientific research, including genomic and proteomic research, biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, the diagnosis of disease and as key components in pharmaceutical, diagnostics and high technology manufacturing.
	Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	Financial Instruments. Financial instruments are recorded at fair value, except as described in Note 8 – Long-Term Debt.
	Sales. Product sales, which include shipping and handling fees billed to customers, are recognized upon transfer of title of the product to the customer, which generally occurs upon shipment to the customer, and is not dependent upon any post-shipment obligations. Sales of services are recognized utilizing the proportional performance method, whereby sales for each stage of a project are recognized based upon the stage's cost as a proportion of the total cost that will be incurred for that project.
	R&D. Expenditures relating to the development of new products, services and processes, including significant improvements to existing products, services or processes, are expensed as incurred as R&D.
	Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes is based on pretax income reported in the consolidated statements of income and currently enacted tax rates for each jurisdiction. No provision has been made for U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of the Company's international subsidiaries where the earnings are considered permanently reinvested.
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax benefits or liabilities attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and establishes a valuation allowance when it believes that such assets may not be recovered, taking into consideration historical operating results, expectations of future earnings, changes in its operations and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and investments with original maturities of less than three months.
	Property, Plant and Equipment. The cost of property, plant and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method with lives generally ranging from 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment, 3 to 7 years for information technology and 15 to 40 years for buildings and improvements. Depreciation expense was $107, $111 and $104 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company capitalizes interest as part of the cost of constructing major facilities and equipment.
	Goodwill. ASC Subtopic 350-20 "Goodwill" requires the Company to assess goodwill for impairment rather than to systematically amortize goodwill against earnings. This goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company operates as one reporting unit and its fair value exceeds its carrying value, including goodwill. The Company has determined that no impairment of goodwill existed at December 31, 2014 or 2013.
	Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever conditions indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Such impairment tests are based on a comparison of the pretax undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset to the recorded value of the asset. If impairment is indicated, the asset value is written down to its market value if readily determinable or its estimated fair value based on discounted cash flows. Any significant unanticipated changes in business or market conditions that vary from current expectations could have an impact on the fair value of these assets and any potential associated impairment. The Company has determined that no indications of impairment existed at December 31, 2014 or 2013.
	Foreign Currency Translation. Most of the Company's non-U.S. operations use local currency as their functional currency. Subsidiaries that do not use the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency translate assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates and profit and loss accounts at the weighted average exchange rates during the reporting period. Resulting translation gains and losses are included as a separate component of stockholders' equity in AOCI. Assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than the subsidiary's functional currency are translated to the subsidiary's functional currency at period end exchange rates. Resulting gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of income.
	Use of Estimates. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
	Effect of New Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU No. 2014-09 is intended to improve the financial reporting requirements for revenue from contracts with customers by providing a principles-based approach to the recognition of revenue. The core principle of the standard is when an entity transfers goods or services to customers it will recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to for those goods or services. The update outlines a five-step model and related application guidance, which replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance. ASU No. 2014-09 also requires disclosures that will enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and it has not determined the effect, if any, of the standard on its ongoing financial condition and results of operations.

Proposed_Merger_with_Merck_KGa

Proposed Merger with Merck KGaA (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Proposed Merger with Merck KGaA	Proposed Merger with Merck KGaA
	On September 22, 2014, Sigma-Aldrich Corporation entered into the Merger Agreement with Merck KGaA. The Merger Agreement, among other things, provides for Merck KGaA to acquire the Company at a price of $140 per share in cash, without interest.  The acquisition will be accomplished through the merger of Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Merck KGaA. The Merger Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby were unanimously approved by the Board. A special meeting of stockholders of the Company was held on December 5, 2014, whereby stockholders voted upon and approved a proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement. The Merger Agreement remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of specified closing conditions, including the receipt of certain antitrust and governmental approvals and other customary closing conditions. Other than the costs associated with this Merger Agreement discussed in Note 11 - Other Charges to the Company's consolidated financial statements contained in Item 8 – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of Part II of this Report, no other effects of the transaction have been recorded in the Company's consolidated financial statements. In certain circumstances, upon termination of the Merger Agreement termination fees would be payable.
	The Company is also subject to restrictions on the conduct of its business prior to the consummation of the merger as provided in the Merger Agreement, including, among other things, certain restrictions on capital spending levels, the ability to repurchase shares, increase its dividend, acquire other businesses, sell, transfer or license assets, amend organizational documents and incur indebtedness.
	For additional information related to the Merger Agreement, please refer to the Company's September 22, 2014 Form 8-K. The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Merger Agreement attached as Exhibit 2.1 to the September 22, 2014 Form 8-K.

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of year	$	7		$	7
	Additions	1			1
	Deductions	—			(1		)
	FX	(1		)	—
	Balance, end of year	$	7		$	7

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories
	The principal categories of inventories at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		2014		2013
	Finished goods	$	568	$	575
	Work in process	28		27
	Raw materials	103		97
	Total	$	699	$	699
	Inventories are determined using a weighted average actual cost method and are valued at the lower of cost or market.
	The Company regularly reviews inventories on hand and records a provision for slow-moving and obsolete inventory, inventory not meeting quality standards and inventory subject to expiration. The provision for slow-moving and obsolete inventory is based on current estimates of future product demand, market conditions and related management judgment. Any significant unanticipated changes in future product demand or market conditions that vary from current expectations could have an impact on the value of inventories.

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n

Property, Plant and Equipment, net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, net	Property, Plant and Equipment, net
	The principal categories of property, plant and equipment, net at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		2014			2013
	Land	$	51		$	56
	Buildings and improvements	846			854
	Machinery and equipment	1,082			1,099
	Construction in progress	129			89
	Less - accumulated depreciation	(1,322		)	(1,292		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	786		$	806

Intangible_Assets

Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets
	The Company's amortizable and unamortizable intangible assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		Cost								Accumulated Amortization
		2014				2013				2014		2013
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Patents	$	15			$	14			$	10	$	9
	Licenses	49				48				23		22
	Customer relationships	299				254				91		77
	Technical knowledge	57				48				22		19
	Other	29				29				23		23
	Total amortizable intangible assets	$	449			$	393			$	169	$	150
	Unamortizable intangible assets:
	Goodwill	$	781			$	717			$	25	$	26
	Trademarks and trade names	22				20				10		8
	Total unamortizable intangible assets	$	803			$	737			$	35	$	34
	On October 31, 2014, the Company acquired Cell Marque, an industry-leading provider of in vitro diagnostic antibody reagents and kits, for approximately $170 in cash. The Company has estimated the preliminary allocation of the total purchase price consideration as follows: $17 acquired net operating assets; $66 acquired intangible assets, consisting principally of customer relationships; and $87 goodwill. The preliminary purchase price allocation is subject to potential adjustment as the Company finalizes its fair value determination of net assets acquired, which will be completed within one year from the date of acquisition. Any adjustments to the preliminary purchase price allocation may impact the amounts of recognized intangible assets and goodwill. Cell Marque was not material to the Company's consolidated statements of income for the 12 months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, either on a reported or pro forma basis.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company did not acquire any intangible assets or goodwill.
	The Company recorded amortization expense related to amortizable intangible assets of $25, $27 and $32 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Amortizable intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from one to twenty years, using the straight-line method. The Company expects to record annual amortization expense for all existing intangible assets in a range from approximately $22 to $28 from 2015 through 2019.
	The changes in net goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
			2014				2013
	Balance, beginning of year		$	691			$	691
	Acquisitions and divestitures		87				(2		)
	Impact of foreign currency exchange rates		(22		)		2
	Balance, end of year		$	756			$	691
	Current period acquisition and divestitures relate to the preliminary purchase price allocation for the Cell Marque acquisition made during 2014. The preliminary allocation will be finalized within one year from the date of acquisition.

Notes_Payable

Notes Payable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes Payable [Abstract]
Notes Payable	Notes Payable
	Notes payable consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Outstanding		Weighted		Outstanding		Weighted
				Average				Average
				Rate				Rate
	Notes payable
	Commercial paper (1)	$	145	0.3	%	$	65	0.1	%
	Sigma-Aldrich Japan GK credit facilities (2)	—		—		—		—
	Other short-term credit facilities (3)	—		—		—		—	%
	Total notes payable	$	145	0.3	%	$	65	0.1	%
	-1	The Company has a $600 five-year revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks in the United States that supports the Company's commercial paper program. The facility matures on May 10, 2018. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any borrowings outstanding under this facility. The amount available under the facility is reduced by the amount of commercial paper outstanding. The carrying value of the commercial paper outstanding approximates its fair value. The facility contains financial covenants that require the maintenance of a ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization of no more than 65.0 percent and an aggregate amount of subsidiary debt plus consolidated secured debt of no more than 25.0 percent of total net worth, as defined in the underlying credit agreement. The Company's total consolidated debt as a percentage of total capitalization and aggregate amount of subsidiary debt plus consolidated secured debt as a percentage of total net worth was 12.5 percent and 0.0 percent, respectively, at December 31, 2014.
	-2	Sigma-Aldrich Japan GK has two credit facilities having a total commitment of 2 billion Japanese Yen (approximately $17), with one facility expiring April 30, 2015 and the other representing a line of credit with no expiration. No borrowings were outstanding under these facilities at both December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	-3	There were no borrowings under these facilities, which have total commitments in U.S. Dollar equivalents of approximately $3, at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	The Company has provided a guarantee for any outstanding borrowings from one of the short-term credit facilities of the wholly-owned Japanese subsidiary. At December 31, 2014, there were no existing events of default that would require the Company to honor this guarantee.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt
	Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Outstanding		Weighted		Outstanding		Weighted
				Average				Average
				Rate				Rate
	Senior notes, due November 1, 2020 (1)	$	300	3.4	%	$	300	3.4	%
	Total long-term debt	$	300	3.4	%	$	300	3.4	%
	-1	The Company has $300 of 3.375% Senior Notes due November 1, 2020. Interest on the notes is payable May 1 and November 1 of each year. The notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part at the Company's option, (i) at any time at specific redemption prices plus accrued interest or (ii) three months prior to the maturity date at a redemption price equal to 100% percent of the principal amount plus accrued interest.
	Total interest expense incurred on short-term and long-term debt, net of amounts capitalized, was $8, $9 and $8 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The fair value of long-term debt was approximately $312 and $298 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The fair value of long-term debt was based upon a discounted cash flow analysis that used the aggregate cash flows from principal and interest payments over the life of the debt and current market interest rates.

Financial_Derivatives_and_Risk

Financial Derivatives and Risk Management	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Financial Derivatives and Risk Management	Financial Derivatives and Risk Management
	The Company conducts business in many parts of the world and is subject to risks associated with changing foreign currency exchange rates. Accordingly, the Company uses derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges and net investment hedges, as well as derivative instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments to mitigate a portion of this risk. These derivative instruments are primarily comprised of foreign currency forward exchange contracts, and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy for which fair value is determined by using foreign currency market spot rates and forward points observable at commonly quoted intervals. The Company does not enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts for speculative trading purposes.
	Cash Flow Hedges
	A significant portion of the Company's cost of products and services sold is denominated in the U.S. Dollar, while approximately 60 percent of the Company's sales are denominated in other currencies. Intercompany inventory purchases, which are sourced primarily from subsidiaries with U.S. Dollar functional currencies, are sold to customers by international subsidiaries in other local currencies. The Company uses foreign currency forward exchange contracts to mitigate a portion of the foreign currency risks associated with these forecasted intercompany inventory purchases.
	These foreign currency forward exchange contracts have been designated as hedges of the variability of cash flows related to forecasted inventory purchases due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Changes in fair value of these derivatives are deferred in AOCI within stockholders' equity until the underlying hedged items are recognized in net income. Accordingly, the Company records cash flow hedge gains or losses within cost of products and services sold when the related inventory is sold to a customer. To the extent any portion of the hedge contract is determined to be ineffective, the increase or decrease in value of the contract prior to maturity will be recognized in income immediately. The cash flow impact from these derivatives is classified in the operating activities section of the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows, which is the same category as the underlying items being hedged. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had outstanding notional principal amounts of $187 and $298, respectively, in foreign currency forward exchange contracts associated with cash flow hedging transactions.
	The following table summarizes the fair values of the foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			Years ended December 31,
	Item	Reporting Location	2014		2013
	Forward exchange contracts asset derivative	Other current assets	$	23	$	5
	Forward exchange contracts liability derivative	Other current liabilities	—		6
	Gain recognized in AOCI, net	AOCI	24		2
	The following table summarizes the effect of the foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges on the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, net of immaterial tax effects.
			Years ended December 31,
	Item	Reporting Location	2014		2013		2012
	Gain recognized in OCI, net	OCI	$	28	$	4	$	3
	Gain reclassified from AOCI into net income	Costs of products and services sold	6		5		—
	As of December 31, 2014, the majority of these contracts are in established currencies including the Euro, Japanese Yen and British Pound. During the next twelve months the Company expects $23 of unrealized gains included in AOCI, based on the value of these contracts as of December 31, 2014, will be reclassified into income. The Company generally does not hedge its exposure to the exchange rate variability of future cash flows beyond the next ensuing twenty-four months.
	Net Investment Hedges
	The Company also holds investments in international subsidiaries that own net assets denominated in foreign currencies. The U.S. Dollar value of these foreign currency denominated net assets fluctuate as the exchange rate fluctuates. From time to time the Company will enter into net investment hedges to reduce the variability in the U.S. Dollar equivalent of net asset values due to changes in exchange rates. During 2014, the Company entered into foreign currency forward exchange contracts with third party banks to hedge certain net assets denominated in the Euro and Swiss Franc.
	These hedges have been designated as net investment hedges and qualify for hedge accounting treatment, whereby changes in fair value of the derivative are reported in OCI. To the extent any portion of the hedge contract is determined to be ineffective, the increase or decrease in value of the contract prior to maturity will be recognized in income immediately. The cash flow impact from these derivatives is classified in the investing activities section of the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows. Gains or losses related to the ineffective portion of these hedging instruments were not material for the year ended December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company did not have any outstanding foreign currency forward exchange contracts associated with net investment hedging transactions.
	Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments
	The Company also uses foreign currency forward exchange contracts, which are not designated as hedging instruments, primarily to hedge a portion of the value of certain intercompany receivables and payables denominated in foreign currencies. The Company's objective is to minimize the impact of foreign currency exchange rate changes during the period of time between the original transaction date and its cash settlement. Gains and losses on these contracts are recorded in SG&A, based on the difference in the contract rate and the fair value at the end of each month for all contracts still in force, and are typically offset either partially or completely by transaction gains and losses on the related intercompany receivables and payables. The duration of the contracts typically does not exceed six months. As of December 31, 2014, the majority of these contracts are in established currencies including the Euro, British Pound and Japanese Yen. The impact of these contracts was not material to the consolidated financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. The notional amount of open foreign currency forward exchange contracts at December 31, 2014 and 2013 was $195 and $199, respectively.

Lease_Commitments

Lease Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Lease Commitments	Lease Commitments
	The Company and its subsidiaries lease manufacturing, office and warehouse facilities and computer equipment under non-cancelable operating leases expiring at various dates. Rent expense was $39, $43 and $42 in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively. Minimum rental commitments for non-cancelable leases in effect at December 31, 2014, are as follows:
	2015	$	29
	2016	25
	2017	21
	2018	18
	2019	14
	2020 and thereafter	24
		$	131

Other_Charges

Other Charges	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Other Charges	Other Charges
		2014		2013		2012
	Restructuring costs	$	17	$	10	$	9
	Licensing dispute settlement	—		7		—
	Costs related to mergers and acquisitions	17		5		5
	Total restructuring and other charges	$	34	$	22	$	14
	Restructuring Costs
	Programs Implemented During 2014
	In the third quarter of 2014, the Company committed to the closure of a facility in Europe. This closure is expected to impact approximately 80 employees and further reduce the Company's fixed cost structure. Total restructuring costs are expected to be $16, comprised of $12 to reduce the value of the assets associated with this facility and $4 of employee termination costs. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $15 of these restructuring costs were recognized.
	Programs Implemented During 2013
	In the third quarter of 2013, the Company committed to a restructuring plan to exit a manufacturing site in Europe. This exit activity impacted approximately 90 employees and was intended to further reduce the Company's fixed cost structure. Total restructuring costs associated with this plan were $12, comprised of $9 to reduce the value of the assets impacted by these restructuring activities and $3 of employee termination costs. During the year ended December 31, 2013, $10 of these restructuring costs were recognized. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the remaining $2 of these restructuring costs were recognized. As of December 31, 2014, all exit activities were complete.
	Programs Implemented During 2012
	In the second quarter of 2012, the Company committed to a restructuring plan to exit various sales office locations in Europe. These exit activities impacted approximately 30 employees and were intended to reduce the Company's fixed cost structure by streamlining the sales force in Europe. Total restructuring costs associated with this plan were $4 and were incurred during 2012. As of December 31, 2012, all exit activities were complete.
	In the third quarter of 2012, the Company committed to a restructuring plan to reduce global headcount by approximately 130 employees to further reduce the Company's fixed cost structure. Total restructuring costs associated with this plan were $5 and were incurred during 2012. As of December 31, 2012, all exit activities were complete.
	Licensing Dispute Settlement
	Costs of $7 were incurred during the second quarter of 2013 for the settlement of a licensing dispute associated with certain products.
	Costs Related to Mergers and Acquisitions
	Costs of $16 associated with the pending Merck KGaA merger and $1 associated with the October 2014 acquisition of Cell Marque were incurred during the year ended December 31, 2014. Costs of $5 associated with merger and acquisition activity were incurred during the second quarter of 2013. Costs of $5 were incurred during the first quarter of 2012 related to the January 2012 acquisition of BioReliance and the March 2012 acquisition of Research Organics.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The components of income before income taxes consist of the following for the years ended December 31:
		2014				2013				2012
	United States operations	$	348			$	365			$	386
	International operations	329				292				269
	Total income before taxes	$	677			$	657			$	655
	The provision for income taxes consists of the following for the years ended December 31:
		2014				2013				2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	128			$	118			$	108
	State and local	7				12				13
	International	51				40				40
	Total current	186				170				161
	Deferred:
	Federal	(7		)		(5		)		15
	State and local	(3		)		(3		)		3
	International	1				4				16
	Total deferred	(9		)		(4		)		34
	Provision for income taxes	$	177			$	166			$	195
	The items accounting for the difference between income taxes computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate and the Company's effective tax rate are as follows for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
	Statutory tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	U.S. manufacturing deduction	(1.2	)		(1.1	)		(1.2	)
	State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	0.8			1			1.7
	Research and development credits	(0.6	)		(0.6	)		—
	International tax rates	(8.6	)		(6.8	)		(5.2	)
	Tax audits and unrecognized tax positions	1.2			0.6			(0.2	)
	Tax rate and law changes	(0.1	)		(1.4	)		(0.2	)
	Other, net	(0.4	)		(1.4	)		(0.1	)
	Total effective tax rate	26.1	%		25.3	%		29.8	%
	The Company's effective tax rates for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 were 26.1%, 25.3% and 29.8%, respectively. These rates reflect the tax benefits of the Company's significant international operations in countries that have lower statutory tax rates than the U.S. statutory tax rate. During 2014, the Company incurred an increase in costs for uncertain tax positions as a result of audit activity while 2012 resulted in a net benefit as a result of statute of limitations expirations. In 2013, the Company benefited from several tax rate and law changes, primarily the reduction in the U.K. statutory tax rate and the retroactive extension of the 2012 U.S. R&D tax credit in 2013.
	Undistributed earnings of the Company's international subsidiaries amounted to approximately $1,735 at December 31, 2014. No U.S. income taxes have been provided for these undistributed earnings as the Company intends to indefinitely reinvest these earnings abroad. If the Company were to distribute these earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company would be subject to both U.S. income taxes (subject to an adjustment for international tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to various international jurisdictions. At this time, it is not practicable to determine the amount of deferred income taxes that would be payable on the unremitted international earnings of the Company, assuming such earnings were distributed.
	Deferred income tax provisions reflect the effect of temporary differences between consolidated financial statement and tax reporting of income and expense items. The net deferred tax assets/liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 resulted from the following temporary differences:
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Inventories	$	31			$	23
	Net operating loss carryforwards	7				9
	Post-retirement benefits and other employee benefits	43				43
	Pension benefits	9				4
	Other	18				22
	Total deferred tax assets	108				101
	Valuation allowances	(3		)		(4		)
	Net deferred tax assets	105				97
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment, and intangibles	(120		)		(131		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(120		)		(131		)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	(15	)		$	(34	)
	The net operating loss carryforwards relate to domestic and international operations. At December 31, 2014, $7 of these deferred tax assets expire between 2015 and 2034. The Company has provided valuation allowances on these deferred tax assets of approximately $3. Realization of deferred tax assets representing net operating loss carryforwards for which a valuation allowance has not been provided is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income prior to expiration of the loss carryforwards.
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities in the preceding table, netted by taxing jurisdiction, are included in the following captions in the Company's consolidated balance sheets at December 31:
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets	$	46			$	31
	Other assets	13				11
	Other accrued expenses	(5		)		(2		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(69		)		(74		)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	(15	)		$	(34	)
	Uncertain Tax Positions. The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns for U.S. federal and various state, local and international taxes, as applicable. The Company is no longer subject to, with limited exceptions, U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2005.
	The following table sets forth changes in the total gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31:
		2014				2013				2012
	Balance, beginning of year	$	37			$	33			$	33
	Tax positions related to current year:
	Additions	9				7				4
	Reductions	—				—				—
	Tax positions related to prior years:
	Additions	10				2				1
Reductions	(1		)		(1		)		(1		)
Settlements	—				—				—
Statutes of limitation expirations	(1		)		(4		)		(4		)
Balance, end of year	$	54			$	37			$	33
At December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, there are $38, $24 and $20 of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the annual effective tax rate.
The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014 may decrease by approximately $3 due to audit activity and statute of limitation expirations in several jurisdictions within 12 months of December 31, 2014.
The Company accrues interest, net of tax, and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as components of its income tax provision. The Company recognized approximately $1 of expense in 2014, no expense in 2013, and $1 of expense in 2012 related to interest and penalties. The Company had accrued approximately $4 and $3 for the payment of interest, net of tax, and penalties as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Contingent_Liabilities_and_Com

Contingent Liabilities and Commitments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingent Liabilities And Commitments	Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
	The Company is involved in legal proceedings generally incidental to its business, as described below:
	Insurance and Other Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
	The Company is subject to potential liabilities arising out of present and future lawsuits and claims related to product liability, personal injury, contract, commercial, intellectual property, tax, environmental, employment, compliance and other matters that arise in the ordinary course of business, as well as putative state class action lawsuits arising out of the proposed merger transaction with Merck KGaA. The Company's operations and a number of its products are highly regulated by various governmental agencies around the world and the Company is periodically involved in reviews, investigations and proceedings by governmental agencies. Failure to meet the standards and licensing requirements of these agencies can lead to penalties which can include substantial fines and/or operating restrictions.
	The Company accrues for potential liabilities when it is probable that future costs (including legal fees and expenses) will be incurred and such costs can be reasonably estimated. Although the Company believes the amounts reserved are probable and appropriate based on available information, the process of estimating losses involves a considerable degree of judgment by management and the ultimate amounts could vary materially. The Company has self-insured retention limits and has obtained insurance to provide coverage above the self-insured limits for claims made against it, subject to certain limitations and exclusions. At December 31, 2014, (i) reserves have been provided to cover expected payments for these self-insured amounts, (ii) there were no contingent liabilities that management believes are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or liquidity and (iii) there were no material commitments outside of the normal course of business. Material commitments in the normal course of business include notes payable, long-term debt, lease commitments and pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations which are disclosed in Note 7 – Notes Payable, Note 8 – Long-Term Debt, Note 10 – Lease Commitments and Note 16 – Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Plans.

Equity_Instruments_and_Share_B

Equity Instruments and Share Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Equity Instruments and Share Based Compensation	Equity Instruments and Share Based Compensation
	The Company's authorized number of shares outstanding is 450 million shares at December 31, 2014 compared to 300 million shares at December 31, 2013. This increase was approved by shareholders at the Company's annual meeting on May 6, 2014 to enhance the Company's flexibility to consider and respond to future business needs and opportunities.
	The 2014 LTIP, which was approved by shareholders at the Company's annual meeting on May 6, 2014 and replaced the 2003 LTIP, permits the granting of incentive or nonqualified stock options as well as stock appreciation rights, performance shares, RSUs and other stock-based awards. The 2014 LTIP permits the distribution of up to 7,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock, subject to increase for any shares forfeited under other equity compensation plans after the effective date of the 2014 LTIP. Shares issued under the 2014 LTIP may be authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. The 2014 LTIP permits the award of non-qualified stock options and other stock-based awards to those members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of the Company. Under the 2003 LTIP for 2012 and prior years, a non-employee Director received (i) an initial option to purchase 20,000 shares of Company common stock on the date of his or her initial election as a Director, (ii) 1,200 shares of stock granted on the first business day in January and (iii) additional awards of options to purchase 10,000 shares on the day after each annual shareholders' meeting if the non-employee Director had served on the Board for at least six months. Beginning in 2013, the Board (i) reduced the initial option grant for new Directors to two times their annual cash retainer, (ii) reduced the amount of additional option awards to an amount equal to 60 percent of a director's annual equity grant award and (iii) provided the other 40 percent in time-based RSUs, each of which vest one-third on each grant date anniversary. Incentive and nonqualified stock options may not have an option exercise price of less than the fair market value of the shares at the date of the grant. Including shares forfeited or swapped, 6,997,840 shares of the Company's common stock remain available for award under the 2014 LTIP at December 31, 2014.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company expects $20 of unrecognized expense related to granted, but nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements to be incurred in future periods. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.4 years, or fully upon a change in control.
	Stock-based compensation expense is included in SG&A. The stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $23, $22 and $17, respectively. The tax benefit related to the expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $8, $7 and $6, respectively.
	Stock Options. The Company measures the total fair value of options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and recognizes each grant's fair value as compensation cost over the period that the option vests. Options generally become exercisable from one to three years following the grant date and expire ten years after the grant date. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company granted a total of 452,875 stock options under the 2003 LTIP.
	The weighted-average assumptions under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for stock option grants are as follows:
			2014		2013		2012
	Expected term (years)		5		5		4.9
	Expected volatility		24.37%		31.86%		32.92%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.51%		0.98%		0.80%
	Dividend yield		1.07%		1.13%		1.11%
	Expected term—The expected term of the options represents the period of time between the grant date and the time the options are either exercised or forfeited, including an estimate of future forfeitures for outstanding options. In accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, the Company has used the "simplified" method for "plain vanilla" options to estimate the expected term of options granted prior to 2008.
	Expected volatility—The expected volatility is calculated based on an average of the historical volatility of the Company's stock price for a period approximating the expected term.
	Risk-free interest rate—The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant and a maturity that approximates the expected term.
	Dividend yield—The dividend yield is based on the Company's authorized quarterly dividend, approved by the Board during the respective periods noted above, and the Company's expectation for dividend yields over the expected term.
	A summary of the combined stock option activity and other data for the Company's stock option plans, including the 2003 LTIP, the Stock Option Plan of 2000 and the 1998 Directors' Non-Qualified Share Option Plans, for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
			Number of			Wtd. Avg.		Wtd. Avg.	Aggregate
			Stock			Exercise  Price		Remaining	Intrinsic
			Options			Per Share		Contractual	Value
								Life
	Stock Options outstanding, January 1, 2014		3,306,297			$	56.7
	Granted		452,875			93.06
	Exercised		(778,657	)		42.66
	Forfeited		(60,541	)		73.16
	Stock Options outstanding, December 31, 2014		2,919,974			65.74		72.34 months	$	209
	Stock Options exercisable, December 31, 2014		1,884,673			56.09		56.39 months	$	153
	The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $54, $35 and $52, respectively.
	The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $19.79, $20.11 and $18.67 per share, respectively.
	Performance Shares. Performance Share awards in 2014, 2013 and 2012 were 65,010, 104,545 and 224,560 shares, respectively. A summary of the criteria for the Performance Share awards can be found in the table below.
			2014 (1)		2013 (2)		2012
	Service Period		Three years		Three years		Three years
	Vesting Period		Cliff vest on December 31, 2016		Cliff vest on December 31, 2015		Cliff vest December 31, 2014
	Payout Range (3)		0 percent to 200 percent		0 percent to 200 percent		0 percent to 200 percent
	Metrics / Performance Criteria		- 40 percent based upon the Company's yearly return on invested capital (calculated each year of the service period)		- 40 percent based upon the Company's yearly return on invested capital (calculated each year of the service period)		- 40 percent based upon the Company's three-year average return on equity ratio calculation
			- 40 percent based upon the Company's three-year average sales growth (adjusted for changes in foreign currency exchange rates)		- 40 percent based upon the Company's three-year average sales growth (adjusted for changes in foreign currency exchange rates)		- 40 percent based upon the Company's three-year average sales growth (adjusted for changes in foreign currency exchange rates)
			- 20 percent based on the Company's total shareholder return relative to certain competitors		- 20 percent based on the Company's total shareholder return relative to certain competitors		- 20 percent based on the Company's total shareholder return relative to certain competitors
	(1) Of the 65,010 Performance Shares awarded in 2014, 3,340 were awarded on February 10, 2014 and subject to different performance criteria than those noted within the table above. These Performance Shares have a 3 year performance period beginning January 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2016, with 50 percent vesting on the three-year anniversary of the award date and 50 percent vesting on the four-year anniversary of the award date. Performance is measured by the Company achieving "Cumulative Free Cash Flow" during the performance period equal to or greater than $900. For these specific awards, the Company expenses the expected cost of the awards over the respective vesting periods beginning on the grant date with half ending on the three-year anniversary of the award date and half ending on the four-year anniversary of the award date.
	(2) Of the 104,545 Performance Shares awarded in 2013, 30,290 were awarded on September 3, 2013 and subject to different performance criteria than those noted within the table above. These Performance Shares have a three year performance period beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2016, with 50 percent vesting on the three-year anniversary of the award date and 50 percent vesting on the five-year anniversary of the award date. Performance is measured by the Company achieving "Cumulative Free Cash Flow" during the performance period equal to or greater than $900. For these specific awards, the Company expenses the expected cost of the awards over the respective vesting periods beginning on the grant date with half ending on the three-year anniversary of the award date and half ending on the five-year anniversary of the award date.
	(3) The payout range is determined at the end of the performance period.
	Subject to meeting the performance criteria, the Performance Share grants will be paid in shares of the Company's common stock. Such shares do not pay or accumulate dividends, if any, during the vesting period. The Company expenses the expected cost of the awards over the vesting period beginning on the grant date and ending on December 31 of the third subsequent fiscal year, except for those discussed in notes (1) and (2) above. The expense for the entire number of Performance Shares awarded is dependent upon the probability of achieving the specific financial targets and is recorded ratably over the vesting period.
	A summary of the Company's nonvested Performance Shares as of December 31, 2014, and changes during the year then ended, is reflected in the table below.
			Number of			Wtd. Avg.
			Performance			Grant
			Units			Date Fair
						Value
	Nonvested Performance Shares outstanding, January 1, 2014		255,437			$	72.45
	Granted		65,010			90.18
	Vested		(156,929	)		71.73
	Forfeited (1)		(2,467	)		70.45
	Nonvested Performance Shares outstanding, December 31, 2014		161,051			80.35
	-1	Includes reductions due to employee terminations and reductions as a result of the Company not meeting certain performance targets. The weighted average grant date fair value of Performance Shares granted during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $90.18, $75.00 and $71.73, respectively.
	Stock Awards. On January 3, 2012 and 2011, each non-employee Director received 1,200 shares of Company common stock. The 2012 and 2011 stock awards were expensed in the first quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively, based on the fair market value of the Company's common stock at the date of grant. In 2013, the Company began granting the Directors stock options and RSUs in lieu of common stock awards.
	Restricted Stock Units. The Company measures the total fair value of RSUs on the grant date using the Company's stock price at the time of the grant less the present value of the expected dividend stream during the vesting period. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company granted a total of 80,245 RSUs. RSUs awarded during the year have a vesting period of three years with some awards vesting one-third each year and most awards cliff vesting at the end of the three year period. The awards are expensed over their respective vesting period.
	A summary of the Company's nonvested RSUs as of December 31, 2014, and changes during the year then ended, is reflected in the table below.
			Number of			Wtd. Avg.
			RSUs			Grant
						Date Fair
						Value
	Nonvested RSUs outstanding, January 1, 2014		123,776			$	72.35
	Granted		80,245			93.66
	Vested		(21,403	)		65.31
	Forfeited (1)		(8,064	)		76.44
	Nonvested RSUs outstanding, December 31, 2014		174,554			82.82
-1	Includes reductions due to employee terminations.
The weighted average grant date fair value of RSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $93.66, $74.30 and $71.45, respectively.

Company_Operations_by_Business

Company Operations by Business Unit	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Company Operations by Business Unit	Company Operations by Business Unit
	The business unit structure is the Company's approach to serving customers and reporting sales rather than any internal division used to allocate resources. Net sales for the Company's business units are as follows:
		2014		2013				2012
	Research	$	1,404	$	1,402			$	1,398
	Applied	680		629				598
	SAFC Commercial	701		673				627
	Total	$	2,785	$	2,704			$	2,623
	The Company's Chief Operating Decision Maker is the CEO. The CEO and the Board review profit and loss information on a consolidated basis to assess performance and make overall operating decisions as well as resource allocations. The Company's business units are closely interrelated in their activities and share services such as order entry, billing, technical services, e-commerce, purchasing and inventory control, and also share production and distribution facilities. Additionally, these units are supported by centralized functional areas such as finance, human resources, quality, safety and compliance and information technology. Further, the Company's CEO, CFO and business unit Presidents participate in compensation programs in which a portion of their incentive compensation is based upon consolidated Company results for sales growth (and for the business unit Presidents, the sales growth in the business unit for which they are responsible), consolidated adjusted Company operating income, consolidated Company free cash flow and individual/business unit objectives which are funded based on achievement of consolidated adjusted Company EPS (and for the business unit Presidents, allocated based on achievement of certain financial metrics within their respective business unit). Based on these factors, the Company has concluded that it operates in one segment.
	Sales are attributed to countries based upon the location from which the product was shipped or services were performed. Products shipped from the U.S. to unaffiliated customer destinations outside of the U.S. are presented in the summary below:
	Year	Amount		Year		Amount				Year	Amount
	2014	$	63	2013		$	60			2012	$	61
	Geographic financial information is as follows:
		2014		2013				2012
	Net sales to unaffiliated customers:
	United States	$	1,058	$	1,026			$	987
	International	1,727		1,678				1,636
	Total	$	2,785	$	2,704			$	2,623
	Long-lived assets at December 31:
	United States	$	556	$	523			$	549
	International	320		357				351
	Total	$	876	$	880			$	900

Pension_and_PostRetirement_Ben

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Plans	Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Plans
	The Company maintains several retirement plans covering substantially all U.S. employees and employees of certain international subsidiaries. Pension benefits are generally based on years of service and compensation. The Company also maintains post-retirement medical benefit plans covering some of its U.S. employees. Benefits are subject to deductibles, co-payment provisions and coordination with benefits available under Medicare. The Company has made a determination that the prescription drug benefits it provides are actuarially equivalent to the benefits provided under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.
	Effective December 31, 2012, the U.S. defined benefit pension plan was frozen. Participants under this plan have not been accruing service-based benefits and have been treated as inactive for accounting purposes. Effective January 1, 2013, the affected employees were eligible for additional contributions under an enhanced defined contribution plan.
	In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Board approved and management communicated the termination of the Company's U.S. defined benefit pension plan effective December 31, 2014. Final asset distribution is expected to be complete in 2015 following Internal Revenue Service approval.
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Swiss defined benefit plan was amended from a final pay plan to a cash balance-type plan. The change resulted in a reduction of the Company's projected benefit obligation of $11.
	Effective June 30, 2014, post-retirement medical plan was eliminated for participants aged 65 and above. As a result, the projected benefit obligation decreased by $17 in 2014.
	The following chart reconciles the funded status of the plans with amounts included in the Company's consolidated balance sheets:
		Pension Plans																Post-Retirement
		United States								International								Medical  Benefit Plans
		2014				2013				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Reconciliation of funded status of the plans and the amounts included in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31:
	Change in benefit obligations
	Beginning obligations	$	169			$	178			$	289			$	299			$	39			$	47
	Service cost	—				—				7				9				—				1
	Interest cost	7				6				9				8				1				1
	Participant contributions	—				—				3				3				1				1
	Plan amendments	—				—				—				(11		)		(17		)		—
	Plan settlements	(9		)		(7		)		—				(6		)		—				—
	Benefits and expenses paid	(1		)		(1		)		(6		)		(7		)		(2		)		(2		)
	Actuarial loss (gain)	4				(7		)		71				(12		)		—				(9		)
	Changes in foreign currency exchange rates	—				—				(32		)		6				—				—
	Ending obligations	$	170			$	169			$	341			$	289			$	22			$	39
	Changes in plans assets
	Beginning fair value	$	181			$	158			$	255			$	228			$	—			$	—
	Actual return on plan assets	10				31				24				20				—				—
	Employer contributions	—				—				6				8				1				1
	Participant contributions	—				—				3				3				1				1
	Plan settlements	(9		)		(7		)		—				(3		)		—				—
	Benefits and expenses paid	(1		)		(1		)		(6		)		(7		)		(2		)		(2		)
	Changes in foreign currency exchange rates	—				—				(24		)		6				—				—
	Ending fair value	$	181			$	181			$	258			$	255			$	—			$	—
	Reconciliation of funded status
	Funded status	$	11			$	12			$	(83	)		$	(34	)		$	(22	)		$	(39	)
	Net Consolidated Balance Sheet asset/(liability)	$	11			$	12			$	(83	)		$	(34	)		$	(22	)		$	(39	)
		Pension Plans																Post-Retirement
		United States								International								Medical  Benefit Plans
		2014				2013				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	Non current assets	$	11			$	12			$	—			$	2			$	—			$	—
	Current liabilities	—				—				(1		)		—				(1		)		(2		)
	Pension and post-retirement benefits	—				—				(82		)		(36		)		(21		)		(37		)
	Net amount recognized	$	11			$	12			$	(83	)		$	(34	)		$	(22	)		$	(39	)
	Reconciliation of amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets
	Prior service (cost) credit	$	—			$	—			$	9			$	11			$	18			$	4
	Net (loss) gain	(34		)		(30		)		(90		)		(39		)		13				15
	Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(34	)		$	(30	)		$	(81	)		$	(28	)		$	31			$	19
	Accumulated contributions in excess of (less than) net periodic benefit cost	45				42				(2		)		(6		)		(53		)		(58		)
	Net amount asset/(liability) recognized in statement of financial position	$	11			$	12			$	(83	)		$	(34	)		$	(22	)		$	(39	)
		Pension Plans																							Post-Retirement
		United States												International											Medical Benefit Plans
		2014				2013				2012				2014				2013				2012			2014			2013			2012
	Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
	New prior service cost	$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(11	)		$	—		$	(17	)	$	—		$	—
	Net loss (gain) arising during the year	7				(27		)		(11		)		59				(21		)		9			—			(8		)	(8		)
	Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI	—				—				—				(6		)		—				2			—			—			—
	Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost
	Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service credit	—				—				—				1				—				—			4			1			1
	Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss	(2		)		(1		)		(5		)		(1		)		(6		)		(4		)	1			—			—
	Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)—pretax	$	5			$	(28	)		$	(16	)		$	53			$	(38	)		$	7		$	(12	)	$	(7	)	$	(7	)
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss	$	1			$	(31	)		$	(5	)		$	57			$	(28	)		$	18		$	(16	)	$	(6	)	$	(5	)
	Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income over the next fiscal year
	Prior service (cost) credit	$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1			$	1			$	—		$	4		$	1		$	1
	Net loss	—				—				(1		)		(6		)		(1		)		(4		)	1			1			—
	Total estimated amortization	$	—			$	—			$	(1	)		$	(5	)		$	—			$	(4	)	$	5		$	2		$	1
The components of the net periodic benefit costs are as follows:
	Pension Plans																							Post-Retirement
	United States												International											Medical Benefit Plans
	2014				2013				2012				2014				2013				2012			2014			2013			2012
Service cost	$	—			$	—			$	10			$	7			$	9			$	8		$	—		$	1		$	1
Interest cost	7				6				7				9				8				9			1			1			2
Expected return on plan assets	(13		)		(11		)		(11		)		(12		)		(11		)		(10		)	—			—			—
Amortization	—				1				5				—				4				4			(5		)	(1		)	(1		)
Settlement loss	2				1				—				—				—				—			—			—			—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	(4	)		$	(3	)		$	11			$	4			$	10			$	11		$	(4	)	$	1		$	2
The rate assumptions associated with the pension and post-retirement medical benefit plans to determine benefit obligations and additional year-end information are as follows:
	Pension Plans																Post-Retirement
	United States								International								Medical Benefit Plans
	2014				2013				2014				2013				2014				2013
Assumptions to determine benefit obligations
Discount rate	4.07		%		4.45		%		2.05		%		3.36		%		3.55		%		4.8		%
Compensation rate increase	n/a				n/a				2.64		%		2.74		%		n/a				n/a
Measurement date	31-Dec				31-Dec				31-Dec				31-Dec				31-Dec				31-Dec
Additional year-end information
Accumulated benefit obligation	$	170			$	169			$	321			$	271			n/a				n/a
Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	$	—			$	—			$	341			$	189			n/a				n/a
Accumulated benefit obligation	—				—				321				176				n/a				n/a
Fair value of plan assets	—				—				258				153				n/a				n/a
Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
Projected benefit obligation	$	—			$	—			$	341			$	189			$	22			$	39
Fair value of plan assets	—				—				258				153				—				—
The rate assumptions associated with the pension and post-retirement medical benefit plans to determine periodic pension costs are as follows:
	Pension Plans																		Post-Retirement
	United States									International									Medical Benefit Plans
	2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012			2014			2013		2012
Discount rate	4.45	%		3.6	%		4.35	%		3.36	%		2.96	%		3.52	%		4.8	%		3.9	%	4.5	%
Expected rate of return on plan assets	7.75	%		7.75	%		8.25	%		4.95	%		4.87	%		4.98	%		n/a			n/a		n/a
Compensation rate increase	n/a			n/a			3.55	%		2.74	%		2.59	%		2.95	%		n/a			n/a		n/a
The expected employer contributions and benefit payments are shown in the following table for the pension and post-retirement medical benefit plans:
			Pension Plans								Post-Retirement				Expected
											Medical				Medicare
Cash Flows	Year		United				International				Benefit Plans(2)				Subsidy Receipts
			States(1)
Expected employer contributions	2015		$	—			$	5			$	1			n/a
Expected benefit payments for year ending December 31st	2015		177				6				1				—
	2016		—				7				2				—
	2017		—				6				2				—
	2018		—				7				2				—
	2019		—				7				2				—
	Next 5 years		—				46				10				—
-1	The Company's U.S. defined benefit pension plan was terminated effective December 31, 2014, pending Internal Revenue Service approval. Final asset distribution is expected in 2015.
-2	Expected payments for Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans are shown net of the expected Medicare subsidy receipts.
Pension Plans. For purposes of selecting a discount rate in both 2013 and 2012, the present value of the cash flows as of the measurement date is determined using the spot rates from the Mercer Above Mean Yield Curve, and based on the present values, a single equivalent discount rate is developed. This rate is the single uniform discount rate that, when applied to the same cash flows, results in the same present value of the cash flows as of the measurement date. The plans are assumed to continue in force for as long as the assets are expected to be invested. In estimating the expected long-term rate of return on assets, appropriate consideration is given to historical performance for the major asset classes held or anticipated to be held by the pension plans and to current forecasts of future rates of return for those asset classes. Cash flow and expenses are taken into consideration to the extent that the expected return would be affected by them. Because assets are held in qualified trusts, expected returns are not reduced for taxes.
As a result of the U.S. pension plan termination, the benefit obligations are the best-estimate termination liability consisting of estimated annuity premiums and lump-sum payouts.  Annuity Pricing Rate Composites were used to estimate annuity premiums.  The 2014 discount rate is the weighted average implicit discount rate taking into account the estimated annuity premiums and lump-sum payouts.
The assets of the pension plans are invested with professional asset managers to produce a diversified portfolio. The Company believes the investments are sufficiently diversified to maintain a reasonable level of risk without unduly sacrificing return. Target asset allocations and weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Target Allocations					Weighted Average
						Asset Allocations
	U.S.			International		U.S.			International
	Plan			Plans		Plan			Plans
Equity Securities	—	%		38–50%		—	%		49	%
Real Estate	—	%		6–12%		—	%		9	%
Debt Securities	100%			36–57%		100	%		39	%
Other	—	%		0–10%		—	%		3	%
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
Assets	Quoted Prices				Significant Other				Total
	in Active Markets for				Observable
	Identical Assets				Inputs
	(Level 1(1))				(Level 2(2))
Real estate	$	—			$	23			$	23
Common/collective trust funds — equity	—				126				126
Common/collective trust funds — government debt	—				161				161
Common/collective trust funds — Corporate and other non-government debt	—				120				120
Common/collective trust funds — real estate	—				1				1
Cash and cash equivalents	4				4				8
Total	$	4			$	435			$	439
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
Assets	Quoted Prices				Significant Other				Total
	in Active Markets for				Observable
	Identical Assets				Inputs
	(Level 1(1))				(Level 2(2))
Real estate	—				22				22
Common/collective trust funds — equity	—				260				260
Common/collective trust funds — government debt	—				18				18
Common/collective trust funds — Corporate and other non-government debt	—				126				126
Common/collective trust funds — real estate	—				1				1
Cash and cash equivalents	5				4				9
Total	$	5			$	431			$	436
-1	Level 1 instruments use observable market prices for the identical item in active markets and have the most reliable valuations.
-2	Level 2 instruments are valued through broker/dealer quotation or through market-observable inputs for similar items in active markets. Equity securities categorized as Level 2 assets are primarily non-exchange-traded commingled or collective funds where the underlying securities have observable prices available from active markets. Valuation is based on the net asset value of fund units held as derived from the fair value of the underlying assets.
Investment Strategy. The U.S. pension plan's overall investment strategy had been to hold a mix of approximately 75 percent of investments in U.S. and International equities and 25 percent in bonds. In the third quarter of 2014, in light of the planned termination of the U.S. pension plan, the investment strategy was revised to hold 100% of investment assets in fixed income funds, which contain mainly government and investment-grade corporate bonds.
The trustee has engaged an investment manager for the U.S. pension plan that has the responsibility of selecting investment fund managers with demonstrated experience and expertise, and funds with demonstrated historical performance meeting the pension plan's investment guidelines.
The UK pension plan's overall investment strategy is to hold a mix of approximately 70 percent of investments in equities (42 percent UK equities and 28 percent non-UK equities) and 30 percent in bonds. Equities are managed in passive and managed funds. Bond funds contain government and investment grade bonds. A small portion of investments are held in insured annuities.
The Swiss pension plan's overall target investment strategy is to achieve a mix of 27.5 percent equities, 54.5 percent bonds, 15 percent real estate and 3 percent other. Equities are invested in large Swiss companies and institutional funds. Bond funds contain government and investment-grade bonds. Real estate holdings are in an institutional real estate fund.
The trustees of the international plans have engaged institutions that are believed to be reputable to invest the various plans' assets in funds with demonstrated historical performance and manage the various plans' assets in accordance with investment guidelines developed by the trustees.
Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans. For purposes of selecting a discount rate, the present value of the cash flows as of the measurement date is determined using the spot rates from the Mercer Above Mean Yield Curve, and based on the present values, a single equivalent discount rate is developed. This rate is the single uniform discount rate that, when applied to the same cash flows, results in the same present value of the cash flows as of the measurement date. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the post-retirement medical benefit plans. Medical costs were assumed to increase at an annual rate of 7.39 percent in 2014, decreasing ratably to a growth rate of 4.5 percent in 2030 and remaining at 4.5 percent per year thereafter. The effects of a one-percentage point increase or decrease in the assumed health care cost trend rates on the aggregate service and interest cost components and on the post-retirement benefit obligations are not material to the Company's consolidated financial statements. Benefits are funded as claims are paid.
401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. The Company's 401(k) retirement savings plan provides retirement benefits to eligible U.S. employees in addition to those provided by the pension plan. The 401(k) plan permits participants to voluntarily defer a portion of their compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. The Company also contributes a percentage of the employee's salary per year to the account of each eligible employee plus a percentage of the employee's salary deferral. The Company's policy is to fully fund the 401(k) plan. The cost for the 401(k) plan was $23, $22 and $11 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 respectively.

Other_Assets_and_Liabilities

Other Assets and Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Other Assets and Liabilities	Other Assets and Liabilities
	Other current assets
	Other current assets are summarized as follows:
		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Other receivables	$	69	$	36
	Prepaid expenses	20		22
	Short-term investment securities	56		27
	Other current assets	2		2
	Total other current assets	$	147	$	87
	Other assets
	Other assets are summarized as follows:
		December 31, 2014		December 31,
				2013
	Other investments	$	14	$	11
	Cash value of life insurance policies	40		34
	Deferred taxes	13		11
	Long-term investment securities	—		33
	Pension and post-retirement asset	11		14
	Other non-current assets	36		29
	Total other assets	$	114	$	132
	Other current liabilities
	Other current liabilities are summarized as follows:
		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Legal and professional	$	7	$	5
	Pension and post-retirement liability	2		2
	Freight	7		7
	Other accrued expenses	65		63
	Total other current liabilities	$	81	$	77
	Other liabilities
	Other liabilities are summarized as follows:
		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Deferred compensation	$	36	$	31
	Non-current income taxes	52		37
	Other non-current liabilities	15		12
	Total other non-current liabilities	$	103	$	80

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share
	Basic EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. The diluted EPS calculation includes the impact of dilutive equity compensation awards.
	A reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS, together with the related shares outstanding in millions for the years ended December 31, is as follows:
		2014		2013		2012
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	500	$	491	$	460
	Weighted average shares
	Basic shares	119		120		121
	Effect of dilutive securities—options outstanding	1		1		1
	Diluted shares	120		121		122
	Net income per share—Basic	$	4.2	$	4.09	$	3.8
	Net income per share—Diluted	$	4.17	$	4.06	$	3.77
	There were no common shares excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares for the year ended December 31, 2014. Potential common shares totaling 1 million were excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, because their effect was considered to be anti-dilutive.

Share_Repurchases

Share Repurchases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Repurchase Agreements [Abstract]
Share Repurchases	Share Repurchases
	At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had repurchased a total of 102 million and 101 million shares, respectively, of an authorized repurchase program of 110 million shares. This authorization expired in November 2014 and was not extended due to the pending Merck KGaA transaction.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	The following table shows the components of AOCI for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014.
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Income (Loss), Net			Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Income (Loss), Net			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities, Net			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges, Net			Total
	Beginning balance	$	141		(23		)	$	—		$	2		$	120
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	(120		)	(38		)	—			28			(130		)
	Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	—			2			—			6			8
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(120		)	(40		)	—			22			(138		)
	Ending balance	$	21		$	(63	)	$	—		$	24		$	(18	)
	The following table shows the components of AOCI for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013.
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Income (Loss), Net			Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Income (Loss), Net			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities, Net			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on cash flow hedges, Net			Total
	Beginning balance	$	141		$	(78	)	$	3		$	3		$	69
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	—			51			3			4			58
	Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	—			(4		)	6			5			7
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	—			55			(3		)	(1		)	51
	Ending balance	$	141		$	(23	)	$	—		$	2		$	120
	The following table shows the components of AOCI for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012.
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Income (Loss), Net			Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Income (Loss), Net			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities, Net			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on cash flow hedges, Net			Total
	Beginning balance	$	118		$	(88	)	$	—		$	—		$	30
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	23			4			3			3			33
	Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	—			(6		)	—			—			(6		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	23			10			3			3			39
	Ending balance	$	141		$	(78	)	$	3		$	3		$	69
	During 2014, amounts reclassified from AOCI include gains of $6 into costs of products and services sold and gains of $2 into SG&A. During 2013, amounts reclassified from AOCI include gains of $5 into cost of products and services sold and gains of $2 into SG&A. During 2012, amounts reclassified from AOCI include losses of $6 into SG&A. These adjustments are net of immaterial tax effects.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Financial Instruments	Financial Instruments. Financial instruments are recorded at fair value, except as described in Note 8 – Long-Term Debt.
Sales	Sales. Product sales, which include shipping and handling fees billed to customers, are recognized upon transfer of title of the product to the customer, which generally occurs upon shipment to the customer, and is not dependent upon any post-shipment obligations. Sales of services are recognized utilizing the proportional performance method, whereby sales for each stage of a project are recognized based upon the stage's cost as a proportion of the total cost that will be incurred for that project.
Research and Development	R&D. Expenditures relating to the development of new products, services and processes, including significant improvements to existing products, services or processes, are expensed as incurred as R&D.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes is based on pretax income reported in the consolidated statements of income and currently enacted tax rates for each jurisdiction. No provision has been made for U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of the Company's international subsidiaries where the earnings are considered permanently reinvested.
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax benefits or liabilities attributable to differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and establishes a valuation allowance when it believes that such assets may not be recovered, taking into consideration historical operating results, expectations of future earnings, changes in its operations and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and investments with original maturities of less than three months.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment. The cost of property, plant and equipment is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method with lives generally ranging from 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment, 3 to 7 years for information technology and 15 to 40 years for buildings and improvements. Depreciation expense was $107, $111 and $104 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company capitalizes interest as part of the cost of constructing major facilities and equipment.
Goodwill	Goodwill. ASC Subtopic 350-20 "Goodwill" requires the Company to assess goodwill for impairment rather than to systematically amortize goodwill against earnings. This goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company operates as one reporting unit and its fair value exceeds its carrying value, including goodwill. The Company has determined that no impairment of goodwill existed at December 31, 2014 or 2013.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever conditions indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be fully recoverable. Such impairment tests are based on a comparison of the pretax undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset to the recorded value of the asset. If impairment is indicated, the asset value is written down to its market value if readily determinable or its estimated fair value based on discounted cash flows. Any significant unanticipated changes in business or market conditions that vary from current expectations could have an impact on the fair value of these assets and any potential associated impairment. The Company has determined that no indications of impairment existed at December 31, 2014 or 2013.
Foreign Currency Translation	Foreign Currency Translation. Most of the Company's non-U.S. operations use local currency as their functional currency. Subsidiaries that do not use the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency translate assets and liabilities at period end exchange rates and profit and loss accounts at the weighted average exchange rates during the reporting period. Resulting translation gains and losses are included as a separate component of stockholders' equity in AOCI. Assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than the subsidiary's functional currency are translated to the subsidiary's functional currency at period end exchange rates. Resulting gains and losses are recognized in the consolidated statements of income.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Effect of New Accounting Standards	Effect of New Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU No. 2014-09 is intended to improve the financial reporting requirements for revenue from contracts with customers by providing a principles-based approach to the recognition of revenue. The core principle of the standard is when an entity transfers goods or services to customers it will recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to for those goods or services. The update outlines a five-step model and related application guidance, which replaces most existing revenue recognition guidance. ASU No. 2014-09 also requires disclosures that will enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and it has not determined the effect, if any, of the standard on its ongoing financial condition and results of operations.

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account1

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts	Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		2014			2013
	Balance, beginning of year	$	7		$	7
	Additions	1			1
	Deductions	—			(1		)
	FX	(1		)	—
	Balance, end of year	$	7		$	7

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Principal categories of inventories	The principal categories of inventories at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		2014		2013
	Finished goods	$	568	$	575
	Work in process	28		27
	Raw materials	103		97
	Total	$	699	$	699

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n1

Property, Plant and Equipment, net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Principal categories of property, plant and equipment, net	The principal categories of property, plant and equipment, net at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		2014			2013
	Land	$	51		$	56
	Buildings and improvements	846			854
	Machinery and equipment	1,082			1,099
	Construction in progress	129			89
	Less - accumulated depreciation	(1,322		)	(1,292		)
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	786		$	806

Intangible_Assets_Tables

Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of amortizable and unamortizable intangible assets	The Company's amortizable and unamortizable intangible assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
		Cost								Accumulated Amortization
		2014				2013				2014		2013
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Patents	$	15			$	14			$	10	$	9
	Licenses	49				48				23		22
	Customer relationships	299				254				91		77
	Technical knowledge	57				48				22		19
	Other	29				29				23		23
	Total amortizable intangible assets	$	449			$	393			$	169	$	150
	Unamortizable intangible assets:
	Goodwill	$	781			$	717			$	25	$	26
	Trademarks and trade names	22				20				10		8
	Total unamortizable intangible assets	$	803			$	737			$	35	$	34
Schedule of change in net goodwill	.
	The changes in net goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:
			2014				2013
	Balance, beginning of year		$	691			$	691
	Acquisitions and divestitures		87				(2		)
	Impact of foreign currency exchange rates		(22		)		2
	Balance, end of year		$	756			$	691

Notes_Payable_Tables

Notes Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Notes Payable [Abstract]
Schedule of notes payable	Notes payable consist of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Outstanding		Weighted		Outstanding		Weighted
				Average				Average
				Rate				Rate
	Notes payable
	Commercial paper (1)	$	145	0.3	%	$	65	0.1	%
	Sigma-Aldrich Japan GK credit facilities (2)	—		—		—		—
	Other short-term credit facilities (3)	—		—		—		—	%
	Total notes payable	$	145	0.3	%	$	65	0.1	%
	-1	The Company has a $600 five-year revolving credit facility with a syndicate of banks in the United States that supports the Company's commercial paper program. The facility matures on May 10, 2018. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company did not have any borrowings outstanding under this facility. The amount available under the facility is reduced by the amount of commercial paper outstanding. The carrying value of the commercial paper outstanding approximates its fair value. The facility contains financial covenants that require the maintenance of a ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization of no more than 65.0 percent and an aggregate amount of subsidiary debt plus consolidated secured debt of no more than 25.0 percent of total net worth, as defined in the underlying credit agreement. The Company's total consolidated debt as a percentage of total capitalization and aggregate amount of subsidiary debt plus consolidated secured debt as a percentage of total net worth was 12.5 percent and 0.0 percent, respectively, at December 31, 2014.
	-2	Sigma-Aldrich Japan GK has two credit facilities having a total commitment of 2 billion Japanese Yen (approximately $17), with one facility expiring April 30, 2015 and the other representing a line of credit with no expiration. No borrowings were outstanding under these facilities at both December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
	-3	There were no borrowings under these facilities, which have total commitments in U.S. Dollar equivalents of approximately $3, at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of long-tem debt	Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
		December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
		Outstanding		Weighted		Outstanding		Weighted
				Average				Average
				Rate				Rate
	Senior notes, due November 1, 2020 (1)	$	300	3.4	%	$	300	3.4	%
	Total long-term debt	$	300	3.4	%	$	300	3.4	%
	-1	The Company has $300 of 3.375% Senior Notes due November 1, 2020. Interest on the notes is payable May 1 and November 1 of each year. The notes may be redeemed, in whole or in part at the Company's option, (i) at any time at specific redemption prices plus accrued interest or (ii) three months prior to the maturity date at a redemption price equal to 100% percent of the principal amount plus accrued interest.

Financial_Derivatives_and_Risk1

Financial Derivatives and Risk Management (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule fair value of derivative instruments	The following table summarizes the fair values of the foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges at December 31, 2014 and 2013:
			Years ended December 31,
	Item	Reporting Location	2014		2013
	Forward exchange contracts asset derivative	Other current assets	$	23	$	5
	Forward exchange contracts liability derivative	Other current liabilities	—		6
	Gain recognized in AOCI, net	AOCI	24		2
Schedule of effect of fair value derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of operations	The following table summarizes the effect of the foreign currency forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges on the Company's consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, net of immaterial tax effects.
			Years ended December 31,
	Item	Reporting Location	2014		2013		2012
	Gain recognized in OCI, net	OCI	$	28	$	4	$	3
	Gain reclassified from AOCI into net income	Costs of products and services sold	6		5		—

Lease_Commitments_Tables

Lease Commitments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of minimum rental commitments	Minimum rental commitments for non-cancelable leases in effect at December 31, 2014, are as follows:
	2015	$	29
	2016	25
	2017	21
	2018	18
	2019	14
	2020 and thereafter	24
		$	131

Other_Charges_Tables

Other Charges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of roll forward of restructuring reserve
		2014		2013		2012
	Restructuring costs	$	17	$	10	$	9
	Licensing dispute settlement	—		7		—
	Costs related to mergers and acquisitions	17		5		5
	Total restructuring and other charges	$	34	$	22	$	14

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of components of income before income taxes	The components of income before income taxes consist of the following for the years ended December 31:
		2014				2013				2012
	United States operations	$	348			$	365			$	386
	International operations	329				292				269
	Total income before taxes	$	677			$	657			$	655
Schedule of provision for income taxes	The provision for income taxes consists of the following for the years ended December 31:
		2014				2013				2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	128			$	118			$	108
	State and local	7				12				13
	International	51				40				40
	Total current	186				170				161
	Deferred:
	Federal	(7		)		(5		)		15
	State and local	(3		)		(3		)		3
	International	1				4				16
	Total deferred	(9		)		(4		)		34
	Provision for income taxes	$	177			$	166			$	195
Schedule of effective income tax rate reconciliation	The items accounting for the difference between income taxes computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate and the Company's effective tax rate are as follows for the years ended December 31:
		2014			2013			2012
	Statutory tax rate	35	%		35	%		35	%
	U.S. manufacturing deduction	(1.2	)		(1.1	)		(1.2	)
	State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	0.8			1			1.7
	Research and development credits	(0.6	)		(0.6	)		—
	International tax rates	(8.6	)		(6.8	)		(5.2	)
	Tax audits and unrecognized tax positions	1.2			0.6			(0.2	)
	Tax rate and law changes	(0.1	)		(1.4	)		(0.2	)
	Other, net	(0.4	)		(1.4	)		(0.1	)
	Total effective tax rate	26.1	%		25.3	%		29.8	%
Schedule of net deferred tax assets and liabilities	Deferred tax assets and liabilities in the preceding table, netted by taxing jurisdiction, are included in the following captions in the Company's consolidated balance sheets at December 31:
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets	$	46			$	31
	Other assets	13				11
	Other accrued expenses	(5		)		(2		)
	Deferred tax liabilities	(69		)		(74		)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	(15	)		$	(34	)
	The net deferred tax assets/liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 resulted from the following temporary differences:
		2014				2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Inventories	$	31			$	23
	Net operating loss carryforwards	7				9
	Post-retirement benefits and other employee benefits	43				43
	Pension benefits	9				4
	Other	18				22
	Total deferred tax assets	108				101
	Valuation allowances	(3		)		(4		)
	Net deferred tax assets	105				97
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Property, plant and equipment, and intangibles	(120		)		(131		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(120		)		(131		)
	Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	(15	)		$	(34	)
Schedule of gross unrecognized tax benefits roll forward	The following table sets forth changes in the total gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, for the years ended December 31:
		2014				2013				2012
	Balance, beginning of year	$	37			$	33			$	33
	Tax positions related to current year:
	Additions	9				7				4
	Reductions	—				—				—
	Tax positions related to prior years:
	Additions	10				2				1
	Reductions	(1		)		(1		)		(1		)
	Settlements	—				—				—
	Statutes of limitation expirations	(1		)		(4		)		(4		)
	Balance, end of year	$	54			$	37			$	33

Equity_Instruments_and_Share_B1

Equity Instruments and Share Based Compensation Equity Instruments and Share Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Valuation assumptions of stock options	The weighted-average assumptions under the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for stock option grants are as follows:
			2014		2013		2012
	Expected term (years)		5		5		4.9
	Expected volatility		24.37%		31.86%		32.92%
	Risk-free interest rate		1.51%		0.98%		0.80%
	Dividend yield		1.07%		1.13%		1.11%
Schedule of stock options activity	A summary of the combined stock option activity and other data for the Company's stock option plans, including the 2003 LTIP, the Stock Option Plan of 2000 and the 1998 Directors' Non-Qualified Share Option Plans, for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
			Number of			Wtd. Avg.		Wtd. Avg.	Aggregate
			Stock			Exercise  Price		Remaining	Intrinsic
			Options			Per Share		Contractual	Value
								Life
	Stock Options outstanding, January 1, 2014		3,306,297			$	56.7
	Granted		452,875			93.06
	Exercised		(778,657	)		42.66
	Forfeited		(60,541	)		73.16
	Stock Options outstanding, December 31, 2014		2,919,974			65.74		72.34 months	$	209
	Stock Options exercisable, December 31, 2014		1,884,673			56.09		56.39 months	$	153
Performance stock criteria	A summary of the criteria for the Performance Share awards can be found in the table below.
			2014 (1)		2013 (2)		2012
	Service Period		Three years		Three years		Three years
	Vesting Period		Cliff vest on December 31, 2016		Cliff vest on December 31, 2015		Cliff vest December 31, 2014
	Payout Range (3)		0 percent to 200 percent		0 percent to 200 percent		0 percent to 200 percent
	Metrics / Performance Criteria		- 40 percent based upon the Company's yearly return on invested capital (calculated each year of the service period)		- 40 percent based upon the Company's yearly return on invested capital (calculated each year of the service period)		- 40 percent based upon the Company's three-year average return on equity ratio calculation
			- 40 percent based upon the Company's three-year average sales growth (adjusted for changes in foreign currency exchange rates)		- 40 percent based upon the Company's three-year average sales growth (adjusted for changes in foreign currency exchange rates)		- 40 percent based upon the Company's three-year average sales growth (adjusted for changes in foreign currency exchange rates)
			- 20 percent based on the Company's total shareholder return relative to certain competitors		- 20 percent based on the Company's total shareholder return relative to certain competitors		- 20 percent based on the Company's total shareholder return relative to certain competitors
	(1) Of the 65,010 Performance Shares awarded in 2014, 3,340 were awarded on February 10, 2014 and subject to different performance criteria than those noted within the table above. These Performance Shares have a 3 year performance period beginning January 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2016, with 50 percent vesting on the three-year anniversary of the award date and 50 percent vesting on the four-year anniversary of the award date. Performance is measured by the Company achieving "Cumulative Free Cash Flow" during the performance period equal to or greater than $900. For these specific awards, the Company expenses the expected cost of the awards over the respective vesting periods beginning on the grant date with half ending on the three-year anniversary of the award date and half ending on the four-year anniversary of the award date.
	(2) Of the 104,545 Performance Shares awarded in 2013, 30,290 were awarded on September 3, 2013 and subject to different performance criteria than those noted within the table above. These Performance Shares have a three year performance period beginning July 1, 2013 and ending June 30, 2016, with 50 percent vesting on the three-year anniversary of the award date and 50 percent vesting on the five-year anniversary of the award date. Performance is measured by the Company achieving "Cumulative Free Cash Flow" during the performance period equal to or greater than $900. For these specific awards, the Company expenses the expected cost of the awards over the respective vesting periods beginning on the grant date with half ending on the three-year anniversary of the award date and half ending on the five-year anniversary of the award date.
	(3) The payout range is determined at the end of the performance period.
Schedule of nonvested performance-based units activity	A summary of the Company's nonvested Performance Shares as of December 31, 2014, and changes during the year then ended, is reflected in the table below.
			Number of			Wtd. Avg.
			Performance			Grant
			Units			Date Fair
						Value
	Nonvested Performance Shares outstanding, January 1, 2014		255,437			$	72.45
	Granted		65,010			90.18
	Vested		(156,929	)		71.73
	Forfeited (1)		(2,467	)		70.45
	Nonvested Performance Shares outstanding, December 31, 2014		161,051			80.35
	-1	Includes reductions due to employee terminations and reductions as a result of the Company not meeting certain performance targets. The weighted average grant date fair value of Performance Shares granted during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $90.18, $75.00 and $71.73, respectively.
Schedule of unvested restricted stock units roll forward	A summary of the Company's nonvested RSUs as of December 31, 2014, and changes during the year then ended, is reflected in the table below.
			Number of			Wtd. Avg.
			RSUs			Grant
						Date Fair
						Value
	Nonvested RSUs outstanding, January 1, 2014		123,776			$	72.35
	Granted		80,245			93.66
	Vested		(21,403	)		65.31
	Forfeited (1)		(8,064	)		76.44
	Nonvested RSUs outstanding, December 31, 2014		174,554			82.82
	-1	Includes reductions due to employee terminations.

Company_Operations_by_Business1

Company Operations by Business Unit (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Net sales for the Company's business units	Net sales for the Company's business units are as follows:
		2014		2013				2012
	Research	$	1,404	$	1,402			$	1,398
	Applied	680		629				598
	SAFC Commercial	701		673				627
	Total	$	2,785	$	2,704			$	2,623
Schedule of net sales from external customers and long-lived assets, by geographical areas	Products shipped from the U.S. to unaffiliated customer destinations outside of the U.S. are presented in the summary below:
	Year	Amount		Year		Amount				Year	Amount
	2014	$	63	2013		$	60			2012	$	61
	Geographic financial information is as follows:
		2014		2013				2012
	Net sales to unaffiliated customers:
	United States	$	1,058	$	1,026			$	987
	International	1,727		1,678				1,636
	Total	$	2,785	$	2,704			$	2,623
	Long-lived assets at December 31:
	United States	$	556	$	523			$	549
	International	320		357				351
	Total	$	876	$	880			$	900

Pension_and_PostRetirement_Ben1

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of reconciliation of funded status of the plans and the amounts included In the Company' s consolidated balance sheets	The following chart reconciles the funded status of the plans with amounts included in the Company's consolidated balance sheets:
		Pension Plans																Post-Retirement
		United States								International								Medical  Benefit Plans
		2014				2013				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Reconciliation of funded status of the plans and the amounts included in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31:
	Change in benefit obligations
	Beginning obligations	$	169			$	178			$	289			$	299			$	39			$	47
	Service cost	—				—				7				9				—				1
	Interest cost	7				6				9				8				1				1
	Participant contributions	—				—				3				3				1				1
	Plan amendments	—				—				—				(11		)		(17		)		—
	Plan settlements	(9		)		(7		)		—				(6		)		—				—
	Benefits and expenses paid	(1		)		(1		)		(6		)		(7		)		(2		)		(2		)
	Actuarial loss (gain)	4				(7		)		71				(12		)		—				(9		)
	Changes in foreign currency exchange rates	—				—				(32		)		6				—				—
	Ending obligations	$	170			$	169			$	341			$	289			$	22			$	39
	Changes in plans assets
	Beginning fair value	$	181			$	158			$	255			$	228			$	—			$	—
	Actual return on plan assets	10				31				24				20				—				—
	Employer contributions	—				—				6				8				1				1
	Participant contributions	—				—				3				3				1				1
	Plan settlements	(9		)		(7		)		—				(3		)		—				—
	Benefits and expenses paid	(1		)		(1		)		(6		)		(7		)		(2		)		(2		)
	Changes in foreign currency exchange rates	—				—				(24		)		6				—				—
	Ending fair value	$	181			$	181			$	258			$	255			$	—			$	—
	Reconciliation of funded status
	Funded status	$	11			$	12			$	(83	)		$	(34	)		$	(22	)		$	(39	)
	Net Consolidated Balance Sheet asset/(liability)	$	11			$	12			$	(83	)		$	(34	)		$	(22	)		$	(39	)
Schedule of amounts recognized in balance sheet
		Pension Plans																Post-Retirement
		United States								International								Medical  Benefit Plans
		2014				2013				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets:
	Non current assets	$	11			$	12			$	—			$	2			$	—			$	—
	Current liabilities	—				—				(1		)		—				(1		)		(2		)
	Pension and post-retirement benefits	—				—				(82		)		(36		)		(21		)		(37		)
	Net amount recognized	$	11			$	12			$	(83	)		$	(34	)		$	(22	)		$	(39	)
	Reconciliation of amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets
	Prior service (cost) credit	$	—			$	—			$	9			$	11			$	18			$	4
	Net (loss) gain	(34		)		(30		)		(90		)		(39		)		13				15
	Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(34	)		$	(30	)		$	(81	)		$	(28	)		$	31			$	19
	Accumulated contributions in excess of (less than) net periodic benefit cost	45				42				(2		)		(6		)		(53		)		(58		)
	Net amount asset/(liability) recognized in statement of financial position	$	11			$	12			$	(83	)		$	(34	)		$	(22	)		$	(39	)
Schedule of amounts recognized in other comprehensive income and estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income over the next fiscal year
		Pension Plans																							Post-Retirement
		United States												International											Medical Benefit Plans
		2014				2013				2012				2014				2013				2012			2014			2013			2012
	Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
	New prior service cost	$	—			$	—			$	—			$	—			$	(11	)		$	—		$	(17	)	$	—		$	—
	Net loss (gain) arising during the year	7				(27		)		(11		)		59				(21		)		9			—			(8		)	(8		)
	Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI	—				—				—				(6		)		—				2			—			—			—
	Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost
	Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service credit	—				—				—				1				—				—			4			1			1
	Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss	(2		)		(1		)		(5		)		(1		)		(6		)		(4		)	1			—			—
	Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)—pretax	$	5			$	(28	)		$	(16	)		$	53			$	(38	)		$	7		$	(12	)	$	(7	)	$	(7	)
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss	$	1			$	(31	)		$	(5	)		$	57			$	(28	)		$	18		$	(16	)	$	(6	)	$	(5	)
	Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income over the next fiscal year
	Prior service (cost) credit	$	—			$	—			$	—			$	1			$	1			$	—		$	4		$	1		$	1
	Net loss	—				—				(1		)		(6		)		(1		)		(4		)	1			1			—
	Total estimated amortization	$	—			$	—			$	(1	)		$	(5	)		$	—			$	(4	)	$	5		$	2		$	1
Schedule of components of the net periodic benefit costs	The components of the net periodic benefit costs are as follows:
		Pension Plans																							Post-Retirement
		United States												International											Medical Benefit Plans
		2014				2013				2012				2014				2013				2012			2014			2013			2012
	Service cost	$	—			$	—			$	10			$	7			$	9			$	8		$	—		$	1		$	1
	Interest cost	7				6				7				9				8				9			1			1			2
	Expected return on plan assets	(13		)		(11		)		(11		)		(12		)		(11		)		(10		)	—			—			—
	Amortization	—				1				5				—				4				4			(5		)	(1		)	(1		)
	Settlement loss	2				1				—				—				—				—			—			—			—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	(4	)		$	(3	)		$	11			$	4			$	10			$	11		$	(4	)	$	1		$	2
Schedule of rate assumptions associated with the pension and post-retirement medical benefit plans to determine benefit obligations and additional year-end information	The rate assumptions associated with the pension and post-retirement medical benefit plans to determine benefit obligations and additional year-end information are as follows:
		Pension Plans																Post-Retirement
		United States								International								Medical Benefit Plans
		2014				2013				2014				2013				2014				2013
	Assumptions to determine benefit obligations
	Discount rate	4.07		%		4.45		%		2.05		%		3.36		%		3.55		%		4.8		%
	Compensation rate increase	n/a				n/a				2.64		%		2.74		%		n/a				n/a
	Measurement date	31-Dec				31-Dec				31-Dec				31-Dec				31-Dec				31-Dec
	Additional year-end information
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	170			$	169			$	321			$	271			n/a				n/a
	Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
	Projected benefit obligation	$	—			$	—			$	341			$	189			n/a				n/a
	Accumulated benefit obligation	—				—				321				176				n/a				n/a
	Fair value of plan assets	—				—				258				153				n/a				n/a
	Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
	Projected benefit obligation	$	—			$	—			$	341			$	189			$	22			$	39
	Fair value of plan assets	—				—				258				153				—				—
Schedule of rate assumptions associated with the pension and post-retirement medical benefit plans to determine periodic pension costs	The rate assumptions associated with the pension and post-retirement medical benefit plans to determine periodic pension costs are as follows:
		Pension Plans																		Post-Retirement
		United States									International									Medical Benefit Plans
		2014			2013			2012			2014			2013			2012			2014			2013		2012
	Discount rate	4.45	%		3.6	%		4.35	%		3.36	%		2.96	%		3.52	%		4.8	%		3.9	%	4.5	%
	Expected rate of return on plan assets	7.75	%		7.75	%		8.25	%		4.95	%		4.87	%		4.98	%		n/a			n/a		n/a
	Compensation rate increase	n/a			n/a			3.55	%		2.74	%		2.59	%		2.95	%		n/a			n/a		n/a
Schedule of employer contributions and benefit payments	The expected employer contributions and benefit payments are shown in the following table for the pension and post-retirement medical benefit plans:
				Pension Plans								Post-Retirement				Expected
												Medical				Medicare
	Cash Flows	Year		United				International				Benefit Plans(2)				Subsidy Receipts
				States(1)
	Expected employer contributions	2015		$	—			$	5			$	1			n/a
	Expected benefit payments for year ending December 31st	2015		177				6				1				—
		2016		—				7				2				—
		2017		—				6				2				—
		2018		—				7				2				—
		2019		—				7				2				—
		Next 5 years		—				46				10				—
	-1	The Company's U.S. defined benefit pension plan was terminated effective December 31, 2014, pending Internal Revenue Service approval. Final asset distribution is expected in 2015.
	-2	Expected payments for Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans are shown net of the expected Medicare subsidy receipts.
Schedule of target asset allocations and weighted average asset allocations	Target asset allocations and weighted average asset allocations at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
		Target Allocations					Weighted Average
							Asset Allocations
		U.S.			International		U.S.			International
		Plan			Plans		Plan			Plans
	Equity Securities	—	%		38–50%		—	%		49	%
	Real Estate	—	%		6–12%		—	%		9	%
	Debt Securities	100%			36–57%		100	%		39	%
	Other	—	%		0–10%		—	%		3	%
Schedule of fair value measurements	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
	Assets	Quoted Prices				Significant Other				Total
		in Active Markets for				Observable
		Identical Assets				Inputs
		(Level 1(1))				(Level 2(2))
	Real estate	$	—			$	23			$	23
	Common/collective trust funds — equity	—				126				126
	Common/collective trust funds — government debt	—				161				161
	Common/collective trust funds — Corporate and other non-government debt	—				120				120
	Common/collective trust funds — real estate	—				1				1
	Cash and cash equivalents	4				4				8
	Total	$	4			$	435			$	439
	Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
	Assets	Quoted Prices				Significant Other				Total
		in Active Markets for				Observable
		Identical Assets				Inputs
		(Level 1(1))				(Level 2(2))
	Real estate	—				22				22
	Common/collective trust funds — equity	—				260				260
	Common/collective trust funds — government debt	—				18				18
	Common/collective trust funds — Corporate and other non-government debt	—				126				126
	Common/collective trust funds — real estate	—				1				1
	Cash and cash equivalents	5				4				9
	Total	$	5			$	431			$	436
	-1	Level 1 instruments use observable market prices for the identical item in active markets and have the most reliable valuations.
	-2	Level 2 instruments are valued through broker/dealer quotation or through market-observable inputs for similar items in active markets. Equity securities categorized as Level 2 assets are primarily non-exchange-traded commingled or collective funds where the underlying securities have observable prices available from active markets. Valuation is based on the net asset value of fund units held as derived from the fair value of the underlying assets.

Other_Assets_And_Liabilities_T

Other Assets And Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets And Liabilities [Abstract]
Other current assets	Other current assets are summarized as follows:
		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Other receivables	$	69	$	36
	Prepaid expenses	20		22
	Short-term investment securities	56		27
	Other current assets	2		2
	Total other current assets	$	147	$	87
Other assets	Other assets are summarized as follows:
		December 31, 2014		December 31,
				2013
	Other investments	$	14	$	11
	Cash value of life insurance policies	40		34
	Deferred taxes	13		11
	Long-term investment securities	—		33
	Pension and post-retirement asset	11		14
	Other non-current assets	36		29
	Total other assets	$	114	$	132
Other current liabilities	Other current liabilities are summarized as follows:
		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Legal and professional	$	7	$	5
	Pension and post-retirement liability	2		2
	Freight	7		7
	Other accrued expenses	65		63
	Total other current liabilities	$	81	$	77
Other liabilities	Other liabilities are summarized as follows:
		December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Deferred compensation	$	36	$	31
	Non-current income taxes	52		37
	Other non-current liabilities	15		12
	Total other non-current liabilities	$	103	$	80

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of reconciliation of basic and diluted earnings per share	A reconciliation of basic and diluted EPS, together with the related shares outstanding in millions for the years ended December 31, is as follows:
		2014		2013		2012
	Net income available to common shareholders	$	500	$	491	$	460
	Weighted average shares
	Basic shares	119		120		121
	Effect of dilutive securities—options outstanding	1		1		1
	Diluted shares	120		121		122
	Net income per share—Basic	$	4.2	$	4.09	$	3.8
	Net income per share—Diluted	$	4.17	$	4.06	$	3.77

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of components of accumulated other comprehensive income	The following table shows the components of AOCI for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014.
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Income (Loss), Net			Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Income (Loss), Net			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities, Net			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Cash Flow Hedges, Net			Total
	Beginning balance	$	141		(23		)	$	—		$	2		$	120
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	(120		)	(38		)	—			28			(130		)
	Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	—			2			—			6			8
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	(120		)	(40		)	—			22			(138		)
	Ending balance	$	21		$	(63	)	$	—		$	24		$	(18	)
	The following table shows the components of AOCI for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013.
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Income (Loss), Net			Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Income (Loss), Net			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities, Net			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on cash flow hedges, Net			Total
	Beginning balance	$	141		$	(78	)	$	3		$	3		$	69
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	—			51			3			4			58
	Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	—			(4		)	6			5			7
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	—			55			(3		)	(1		)	51
	Ending balance	$	141		$	(23	)	$	—		$	2		$	120
	The following table shows the components of AOCI for the twelve months ended December 31, 2012.
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Income (Loss), Net			Pension and Post-Retirement Benefit Plans Income (Loss), Net			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Securities, Net			Unrealized Gain (Loss) on cash flow hedges, Net			Total
	Beginning balance	$	118		$	(88	)	$	—		$	—		$	30
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	23			4			3			3			33
	Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	—			(6		)	—			—			(6		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	23			10			3			3			39
	Ending balance	$	141		$	(78	)	$	3		$	3		$	69

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	segment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation expense	$107	$111	$104
Number of reportable segments	1
Machinery and equipment | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	3 years
Machinery and equipment | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	12 years
Information technology | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	3 years
Information technology | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	7 years
Buildings and improvements | Minimum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	15 years
Buildings and improvements | Maximum
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful lives	40 years

Proposed_Merger_with_Merck_KGa1

Proposed Merger with Merck KGaA (Details) (Merck KGaA, Sigma-Aldrich Corporation, USD $)	Sep. 22, 2014
Merck KGaA | Sigma-Aldrich Corporation
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Price to acquire business (in dollar per share)	$140

Allowance_for_Doubtful_Account2

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) (Allowance for doubtful accounts, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Change in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$7	$7
Additions	1	1
Deductions	0	-1
FX	-1	0
Balance, end of year	$7	$7

Inventories_Principal_Categori

Inventories - Principal Categories of Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished goods	$568	$575
Work in process	28	27
Raw materials	103	97
Total	$699	$699

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_n2

Property, Plant and Equipment, net - Principal Categories of Property, Plant and Equipment, net (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$2,108	$2,098
Less - accumulated depreciation	-1,322	-1,292
Property, plant and equipment, net	786	806
Land
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	51	56
Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	846	854
Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,082	1,099
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$129	$89

Intangible_Assets_Amortizable_

Intangible Assets - Amortizable And Unamortizable Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Amortizable intangible assets:
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	$449	$393
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	169	150
Unamortizable intangible assets:
Goodwill, Cost	781	717
Goodwill Accumulated Amortization	25	26
Total unamortizable intangible assets, Cost	803	737
Total unamortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	35	34
Trademarks and Trade Names
Unamortizable intangible assets:
Trademarks and trade names, cost	22	20
Trademark Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	10	8
Patents
Amortizable intangible assets:
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	15	14
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	10	9
Licenses
Amortizable intangible assets:
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	49	48
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	23	22
Customer relationships
Amortizable intangible assets:
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	299	254
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	91	77
Technical knowledge
Amortizable intangible assets:
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	57	48
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	22	19
Other
Amortizable intangible assets:
Total amortizable intangible assets, Cost	29	29
Total amortizable intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	$23	$23

Intangible_Assets_Change_In_Ne

Intangible Assets - Change In Net Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$691	$691
Acquisitions and divestitures	87	-2
Impact of foreign currency exchange rates	-22	2
Balance, end of year	$756	$691

Intangible_Assets_Narrative_De

Intangible Assets - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2014
Amortizable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$756	$691	$691
Amortization expense	25	27	32
Finite-lived intangible assets, future amortization expense, four year estimate, minimum	22
Finite-lived intangible assets, future amortization expense, four year estimate, maximum	28
Minimum
Amortizable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	1 year
Maximum
Amortizable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	20 years
Cell Marque
Amortizable Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Consideration for acquisition				170
Acquired net operating assets				17
Acquired intangible assets				66
Goodwill				$87

Notes_Payable_Schedule_of_Note

Notes Payable - Schedule of Notes Payable (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	$145	$65
Total notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	0.30%	0.10%
Commercial paper
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total notes payable	145	65
Notes payable, weighted average interest rate	0.30%	0.10%
Sigma-Aldrich Japan credit facilities
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total notes payable	0	0
Notes payable, weighted average interest rate	0.00%	0.00%
Other short-term credit facilities
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total notes payable	0	0
Notes payable, weighted average interest rate	0.00%	0.00%
Total Notes Payable And Current Maturities Of Long Term Debt
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Total notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt	$145	$65

Notes_Payable_Narrative_Detail

Notes Payable - Narrative (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
	facility	Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility Maturing May Ten Two Thousand Eighteen [Member] [Member]	Sigma-Aldrich Japan credit facilities	Sigma-Aldrich Japan credit facilities	Other short-term credit facilities
		USD ($)	USD ($)	JPY (¥)	USD ($)
			facility
Short-term Debt [Line Items]
Credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$600,000,000	$17,000,000	¥ 2,000,000,000	$3,000,000
Debt instrument covenant ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization, maximum		65.00%
Debt Instrument covenant ratio of consolidated debt to total net worth		25.00%
Consolidated debt as percentage of total capitalization		12.50%
Debt Instrument, Covenant Ratio, Consolidated Debt Plus Subsidiary Debt as a Percentage of Total Net Worth		0.00%
Number of Credit Facilities			2	2
Debt instrument, maturity date		10-May-18	30-Apr-15	30-Apr-15
Number of credit facilities which company guarantees	1

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_of_Long

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$300	$300
Noncurrent maturities of long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	3.40%	3.40%
Senior notes, due November 1, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$300	$300
Noncurrent maturities of long-term debt, weighted average interest rate	3.40%	3.40%

LongTerm_Debt_Narrative_Detail

Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total interest expense on short-term and long-term debt, net of amounts capitalized	$8,000,000	$9,000,000	$8,000,000
Fair value of long-term debt	312,000,000	298,000,000
Senior notes, due November 1, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior notes amount	$300,000,000
Stated interest rate	3.38%
Debt instrument, maturity date	1-Nov-20
Time required to redeem notes at 100% of principal amount plus accrued interest	3 months
Redemption price of notes if redeemed three months prior to maturity date, percentage.	100.00%

Financial_Derivatives_and_Risk2

Financial Derivatives and Risk Management - Fair Value of Derivative Instruments on the Balance Sheet (Details) (Cash Flow Hedging, Foreign exchange forward, Designated as Hedging Instrument, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Gain recognized in AOCI, net	$24	$2
Other current assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Forward exchange contracts asset derivative	23	5
Other current liabilities
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Forward exchange contracts liability derivative	$0	$6

Financial_Derivatives_and_Risk3

Financial Derivatives and Risk Management - Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Income Statement (Details) (Cash Flow Hedging, Designated as Hedging Instrument, Foreign exchange forward, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cost of Sales
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gain reclassified from AOCI into net income	$6	$5	$0
AOCI
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Net gain recognized in AOCI	$28	$4	$3

Financial_Derivatives_and_Risk4

Financial Derivatives and Risk Management - General Cash Flow Hedge Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
General Cash Flow Hedge Information [Abstract]
Percent of net sales denominated in non-US currencies	60.00%
Cash flow hedge gain (loss) to be reclassified within next twelve months	$23
Cash Flow Hedging | Designated as Hedging Instrument
General Cash Flow Hedge Information [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	187	298
Maximum length of time hedged in cash flow hedge	24 months
Cash Flow Hedging | Not designated as hedging instrument
General Cash Flow Hedge Information [Abstract]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$195	$199

Lease_Commitments_Minimum_Rent

Lease Commitments - Minimum Rental Commitments for Non-cancelable Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net [Abstract]
Rent expense	$39	$43	$42
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
2015	29
2016	25
2017	21
2018	18
2019	14
2020 and thereafter	24
Future minimum payments due	$131

Other_Charges_Summary_of_Restr

Other Charges - Summary of Restructuring and Other Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring costs			$17	$10	$9
Licensing dispute settlement	7		0	7	0
Costs related to mergers and acquisitions	5	5	17	5	5
Total restructuring and other charges			$34	$22	$14

Other_Charges_Narrative_Detail

Other Charges - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012
	employee						employee	employee	employee
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected number of positions eliminated	80
Expected restructuring costs	$16
Restructuring costs recognized during period				17	10	9
Licensing dispute settlement charges		7		0	7	0
Costs related to mergers and acquisitions		5	5	17	5	5
Merck KGaA
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Costs related to mergers and acquisitions				16
Cell Marque
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Costs related to mergers and acquisitions				1
Reduction of Value of Assets Impacted by Restructuring
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected restructuring costs	12
Employee Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected restructuring costs	4
Facility Consolidation Plan in Europe
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs recognized during period				15
Exit Manufacturing Site in Europe
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected restructuring costs							12
Restructuring costs recognized during period				2	10
Number of positions eliminated							90
Exit Manufacturing Site in Europe | Reduction of Value of Assets Impacted by Restructuring
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected restructuring costs							9
Exit Manufacturing Site in Europe | Employee Severance
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected restructuring costs							3
Exit Sales Office Locations in Europe
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring costs recognized during period						$0
Number of positions eliminated								130	30

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Effective tax rate	26.10%	25.30%	29.80%
Undistributed earnings of the Company's international subsidiaries	$1,735,000
Operating loss carryforward, subject to expiration	7,000,000
Operating loss carryforwards, valuation allowance	3,000,000
Net unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect the annual effective tax rate	38,000,000	24,000,000	20,000,000
Decrease due to audit activity and statute of limitation expirations	3,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits and expense	-1,000,000	0	-1,000,000
Interest, net of tax and penalties accrued	$4,000,000	$3,000,000

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Inc

Income Taxes - Components of Income Before Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
United States operations	$348	$365	$386
International operations	329	292	269
Total income before taxes	$677	$657	$655

Income_Taxes_Provision_For_Inc

Income Taxes - Provision For Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current:
Federal	$128	$118	$108
State and local	7	12	13
International	51	40	40
Total current	186	170	161
Deferred
Federal	-7	-5	15
State and local	-3	-3	3
International	1	4	16
Total deferred	-9	-4	34
Provision for income taxes	$177	$166	$195

Income_Taxes_Effective_Income_

Income Taxes - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent [Abstract]
Statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
U.S. manufacturing deduction	-1.20%	-1.10%	-1.20%
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	0.80%	1.00%	1.70%
Research and development credits	-0.60%	-0.60%	0.00%
International tax rates	-8.60%	-6.80%	-5.20%
Tax audits and unrecognized tax positions	1.20%	0.60%	-0.20%
Tax rate and law changes	-0.10%	-1.40%	-0.20%
Other, net	-0.40%	-1.40%	-0.10%
Total effective tax rate	26.10%	25.30%	29.80%

Income_Taxes_Net_Deferred_Tax_

Income Taxes - Net Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Inventories	$31	$23
Net operating loss carryforwards	7	9
Post-retirement benefits and other employee benefits	43	43
Pension benefits	9	4
Other	18	22
Total deferred tax assets	108	101
Valuation allowances	-3	-4
Net deferred tax assets	105	97
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property, plant and equipment, and intangibles	-120	-131
Total deferred tax liabilities	-120	-131
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	($15)	($34)

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities Netted by Taxing (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Tax [Line Items]
Deferred tax assets	$46	$31
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	-15	-34
Deferred tax liabilities	-69	-74
Other assets
Deferred Tax [Line Items]
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	13	11
Accrued expenses
Deferred Tax [Line Items]
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	($5)	($2)

Income_Taxes_Changes_in_Total_

Income Taxes - Changes in Total Gross Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$37	$33	$33
Tax positions related to current year:
Additions	9	7	4
Reductions	0	0	0
Tax positions related to prior years:
Additions	10	2	1
Reductions	-1	-1	-1
Settlements	0	0	0
Statutes of limitation expirations	-1	-4	-4
Balance, end of year	$54	$37	$33

Equity_Instruments_and_Share_B2

Equity Instruments and Share Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2003	Jan. 03, 2012	Jan. 03, 2011
		multiple
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common Stock, shares authorized	450,000,000	300,000,000
Reduced option grants to directors as a multiple of annual cash retainer		2
Unrecognized expense related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements	$20
Weighted average period for recognition of unrecognized expense related to nonvested stock-based compensation arrangements	1 year 4 months 24 days
Stock-based compensation expense	23	22	17
Tax benefit related to stock-based compensation expense	8	7	6
Number of stock options granted	452,875
Aggregate intrinsic value, options exercised during period	$54	$35	$52
Weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during period	$19.79	$20.11	$18.67
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of options	3 years
Performance unit awards	80,245
Weighted-average grant date, fair value of performance units	$93.66	$74.30	$71.45
Stock Option
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Option expiration term	10 years 0 months 0 days
Stock Option | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of options	1 year 0 months 0 days
Stock Option | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Vesting period of options	3 years 0 months 0 days
Performance Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance unit awards	65,010	104,545	224,560
Weighted-average grant date, fair value of performance units	$90.18	$75	$71.73
Stock awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Additional shares of Company stock received by non-employee Director					1,200	1,200
2014 LTIP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of shares available for distribution under long term incentive plan, maximum	7,000,000
2003 LTIP
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Additional awards of options to Director to purchase shares, minimum service period				6 months
Reduction to additional awards of options to Director, as a percent of annual equity grant award, starting next fiscal period		60.00%
Company's common stock to be awarded including shares forfeited or swapped	6,997,840
Number of stock options granted	452,875
2003 LTIP | Initial election date
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards of options to directors to purchase common stock, number of shares				20,000
2003 LTIP | First business day in January
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards of options to directors to purchase common stock, number of shares				1,200
2003 LTIP | Each shareholders' meeting
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Awards of options to directors to purchase common stock, number of shares				10,000
2003 LTIP | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percent of award to directors other than options		40.00%
2003 LTIP | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Vesting on first anniversary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percent of RSU's vesting per year		33.33%

Equity_Instruments_and_Share_B3

Equity Instruments and Share Based Compensation - Fair Value Assumptions of Stock Options Under The Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Model (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Weighted-average Fair Value Assumptions [Abstract]
Expected term (years)	5 years	5 years	4 years 10 months 24 days
Expected volatility	24.37%	31.86%	32.92%
Risk-free interest rate	1.51%	0.98%	0.80%
Dividend yield	1.07%	1.13%	1.11%

Equity_Instruments_and_Share_B4

Equity Instruments and Share Based Compensation - Stock Options Activity (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Number of Stock Options
Stock Options outstanding, January 1, 2014 (in shares)	3,306,297
Granted (in shares)	452,875
Exercised (in shares)	-778,657
Forfeited (in shares)	-60,541
Stock Options outstanding, December 31, 2014 (in shares)	2,919,974
Stock Options exercisable, December 31, 2014 (in shares)	1,884,673
Wtd. Avg. Exercise Price Per Share
Stock Options outstanding, January 1, 2014 (in dollars per share)	$56.70
Granted (in dollars per share)	$93.06
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$42.66
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$73.16
Stock Options outstanding, December 31, 2014 (in dollars per share)	$65.74
Stock Options exercisable, December 31, 2013 (in dollars per share)	$56.09
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted average remaining contractual term, options outstanding	72 months 10 days
Weighted average remaining contractual term, options exercisable	56 months 12 days
Aggregate intrinsic value, options outstanding	$209
Aggregate intrinsic value, options exercisable	$153

Equity_Instruments_and_Share_B5

Equity Instruments and Share Based Compensation - Summary of the Criteria for the Performance Share Awards (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 10, 2014	Sep. 03, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance criteria, percent based on three-year average return on equity					40.00%
Performance Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Service Period			3 years	3 years	3 years
Performance criteria, percent based on return on invested capital			40.00%	40.00%
Performance criteria, percent based on three-year average sales growth			40.00%	40.00%	40.00%
Performance criteria, percent based on total shareholder return relative to certain competitors			20.00%	20.00%	20.00%
Performance unit awards			65,010	104,545	224,560
Grants subject to different performance criteria	3,340	30,290
Grants subject to different performance criteria, performance period			3 years	3 years
Cumulative free cash flow basis used for awards with different performance criteria			$900	$900
Performance Units | Vesting on three-year anniversary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage for awards with different performance criteria			50.00%	50.00%
Performance Units | Vesting on Four-year Anniversary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage for awards with different performance criteria			50.00%
Performance Units | Vesting on five-year anniversary
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting percentage for awards with different performance criteria				50.00%
Performance Units | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payout Range			0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Performance Units | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Payout Range			200.00%	200.00%	200.00%

Equity_Instruments_and_Share_B6

Equity Instruments and Share Based Compensation - Non-vested Performance-based Units Activity (Details) (Performance Units, USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Performance Units
Number of Performance Units
Nonvested shares outstanding, January 1, 2014 (in shares)	255,437
Granted (in shares)	65,010	104,545	224,560
Vested (in shares)	-156,929
Forfeited (in shares)	-2,467
Nonvested shares outstanding, December 31, 2014 (in shares)	161,051	255,437
Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested shares outstanding, January 1, 2014 (in dollars per share)	$72.45
Granted (in dollars per share)	$90.18	$75	$71.73
Vested (in dollars per share)	$71.73
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$70.45
Nonvested shares outstanding, December 31, 2014 (in dollars per share)	$80.35	$72.45

Equity_Instruments_and_Share_B7

Equity Instruments and Share Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Units Activity (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Number of RSUs
Nonvested shares outstanding, January 1, 2014 (in shares)	123,776
Granted (in shares)	80,245
Vested (in shares)	-21,403
Forfeited (in shares)	-8,064
Nonvested shares outstanding, December 31, 2014 (in shares)	174,554	123,776
Wtd. Avg. Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested shares outstanding, January 1, 2014 (in dollars per share)	$72.35
Granted (in dollars per share)	$93.66	$74.30	$71.45
Vested (in dollars per share)	$65.31
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$76.44
Nonvested shares outstanding, December 31, 2014 (in dollars per share)	$82.82	$72.35

Company_Operations_by_Business2

Company Operations by Business Unit - Net Sales for the Company's Business Units (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$2,785	$2,704	$2,623
Research
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,404	1,402	1,398
Applied
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	680	629	598
SAFC Commercial
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$701	$673	$627

Company_Operations_by_Business3

Company Operations by Business Unit - United States Sales to Unaffiliated Customers Outside of the United States (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Net sales to unaffiliated customers outside the U.S.	$63	$60	$61

Company_Operations_by_Business4

Company Operations by Business Unit - Geographic Financial Information - Net Sales to Unaffiliated Customers (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$2,785	$2,704	$2,623
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,058	1,026	987
International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$1,727	$1,678	$1,636

Company_Operations_by_Business5

Company Operations by Business Unit - Geographic Financial Information - Long-lived Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$876	$880	$900
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	556	523	549
International
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Long-lived assets	$320	$357	$351

Pension_and_PostRetirement_Ben2

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jan. 02, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Expected increase in medical costs during period	7.39%
Expected decrease in medical costs in 2030 and thereafter	4.50%
Cost of 401(k) retirement savings plan	$23	$22	$11
United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Change in projected benefit obligation	0	0
International
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Change in projected benefit obligation	0	-11
International | Switzerland
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Change in projected benefit obligation				-11
Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Change in projected benefit obligation	($17)	$0			($17)
Equity Securities | International | United Kingdom
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan assets investment allocation	70.00%
US and International equities | United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan assets investment allocation	75.00%
UK listed companies equities | International | United Kingdom
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan assets investment allocation	42.00%
Non-UK listed companies equities | International | United Kingdom
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan assets investment allocation	28.00%
Non-UK listed companies equities | International | Switzerland
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan assets investment allocation	27.50%
Bonds | United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan assets investment allocation	25.00%					100.00%
Bonds | International | United Kingdom
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan assets investment allocation	30.00%
Bonds | International | Switzerland
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan assets investment allocation	54.50%
Real Estate | International | Switzerland
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan assets investment allocation	15.00%
Other | International | Switzerland
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target plan assets investment allocation	3.00%

Pension_and_PostRetirement_Ben3

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits - Reconciliation of Funded Status of the Plans and the Amounts Included in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
United States
Change in benefit obligations
Beginning obligations		$169	$178
Service cost		0	0	10
Interest cost		7	6	7
Participant contributions		0	0
Plan amendments		0	0
Plan settlements		-9	-7
Benefits and expenses paid		-1	-1
Actuarial loss (gain)		4	-7
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates		0	0
Ending obligations		170	169	178
Changes in plans assets
Beginning fair value		181	158
Actual return on plan assets		10	31
Employer contributions		0	0
Participant contributions		0	0
Plan settlements		-9	-7
Benefits and expenses paid		-1	-1
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates		0	0
Ending fair value		181	181	158
Reconciliation of funded status
Funded status		11	12
Net Consolidated Balance Sheet asset/(liability)		11	12
International
Change in benefit obligations
Beginning obligations		289	299
Service cost		7	9	8
Interest cost		9	8	9
Participant contributions		3	3
Plan amendments		0	-11
Plan settlements		0	-6
Benefits and expenses paid		-6	-7
Actuarial loss (gain)		71	-12
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates		-32	6
Ending obligations		341	289	299
Changes in plans assets
Beginning fair value		255	228
Actual return on plan assets		24	20
Employer contributions		6	8
Participant contributions		3	3
Plan settlements		0	-3
Benefits and expenses paid		-6	-7
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates		-24	6
Ending fair value		258	255	228
Reconciliation of funded status
Funded status		-83	-34
Net Consolidated Balance Sheet asset/(liability)		-83	-34
Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans
Change in benefit obligations
Beginning obligations		39	47
Service cost		0	1	1
Interest cost		1	1	2
Participant contributions		1	1
Plan amendments	-17	-17	0
Plan settlements		0	0
Benefits and expenses paid		-2	-2
Actuarial loss (gain)		0	-9
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates		0	0
Ending obligations		22	39	47
Changes in plans assets
Beginning fair value		0	0
Actual return on plan assets		0	0
Employer contributions		1	1
Participant contributions		1	1
Plan settlements		0	0
Benefits and expenses paid		-2	-2
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates		0	0
Ending fair value		0	0	0
Reconciliation of funded status
Funded status		-22	-39
Net Consolidated Balance Sheet asset/(liability)		($22)	($39)

Pension_and_PostRetirement_Ben4

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits - Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Current liabilities	($2)	($2)
United States
Amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Non current assets	11	12
Current liabilities	0	0
Pension and post-retirement benefits	0	0
Net amount recognized	11	12
Reconciliation of amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets
Prior service (cost) credit	0	0
Net (loss) gain	-34	-30
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-34	-30
Accumulated contributions in excess of (less than) net periodic benefit cost	45	42
Net amount recognized	11	12
International
Amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Non current assets	0	2
Current liabilities	-1	0
Pension and post-retirement benefits	-82	-36
Net amount recognized	-83	-34
Reconciliation of amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets
Prior service (cost) credit	9	11
Net (loss) gain	-90	-39
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	-81	-28
Accumulated contributions in excess of (less than) net periodic benefit cost	-2	-6
Net amount recognized	-83	-34
Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans
Amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Non current assets	0	0
Current liabilities	-1	-2
Pension and post-retirement benefits	-21	-37
Net amount recognized	-22	-39
Reconciliation of amounts recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets
Prior service (cost) credit	18	4
Net (loss) gain	13	15
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	31	19
Accumulated contributions in excess of (less than) net periodic benefit cost	-53	-58
Net amount recognized	($22)	($39)

Pension_and_PostRetirement_Ben5

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits - Post Retirement Benefits Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
United States
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
New prior service cost	$0	$0	$0
Net loss (gain) arising during the year	7	-27	-11
Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI	0	0	0
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service credit	0	0	0
Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss	-2	-1	-5
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)bpretax	5	-28	-16
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss	1	-31	-5
Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income over the next fiscal year
Prior service (cost) credit	0	0	0
Net loss	0	0	-1
Total estimated amortization	0	0	-1
International
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
New prior service cost	0	-11	0
Net loss (gain) arising during the year	59	-21	9
Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI	-6	0	2
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service credit	1	0	0
Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss	-1	-6	-4
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)bpretax	53	-38	7
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss	57	-28	18
Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income over the next fiscal year
Prior service (cost) credit	1	1	0
Net loss	-6	-1	-4
Total estimated amortization	-5	0	-4
Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income
New prior service cost	-17	0	0
Net loss (gain) arising during the year	0	-8	-8
Effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI	0	0	0
Amounts recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost
Amortization or curtailment recognition of prior service credit	4	1	1
Amortization or settlement recognition of net loss	1	0	0
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)bpretax	-12	-7	-7
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive loss	-16	-6	-5
Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income over the next fiscal year
Prior service (cost) credit	4	1	1
Net loss	1	1	0
Total estimated amortization	$5	$2	$1

Pension_and_PostRetirement_Ben6

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits - Components of the Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
United States
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost	$0	$0	$10
Interest cost	7	6	7
Expected return on plan assets	-13	-11	-11
Amortization	0	1	5
Settlement loss	2	1	0
Net periodic benefit cost	-4	-3	11
International
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost	7	9	8
Interest cost	9	8	9
Expected return on plan assets	-12	-11	-10
Amortization	0	4	4
Settlement loss	0	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	4	10	11
Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service cost	0	1	1
Interest cost	1	1	2
Expected return on plan assets	0	0	0
Amortization	-5	-1	-1
Settlement loss	0	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	($4)	$1	$2

Pension_and_PostRetirement_Ben7

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits - Rate Assumptions Associated with the Pension and Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans to Determine Benefit Obligations and Additional Year-End Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Additional year-end information
Fair value of plan assets	$11	$14
United States
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used in Calculations [Abstract]
Discount rate	4.07%	4.45%
Measurement date	31-Dec	31-Dec
Additional year-end information
Accumulated benefit obligation	170	169
United States | Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
Additional year-end information
Projected benefit obligation	0	0
Accumulated benefit obligation	0	0
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
United States | Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
Additional year-end information
Projected benefit obligation	0	0
Fair value of plan assets	0	0
International
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used in Calculations [Abstract]
Discount rate	2.05%	3.36%
Compensation rate increase	2.64%	2.74%
Measurement date	31-Dec	31-Dec
Additional year-end information
Accumulated benefit obligation	321	271
International | Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
Additional year-end information
Projected benefit obligation	341	189
Accumulated benefit obligation	321	176
Fair value of plan assets	258	153
International | Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
Additional year-end information
Projected benefit obligation	341	189
Fair value of plan assets	258	153
Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used in Calculations [Abstract]
Discount rate	3.55%	4.80%
Measurement date	31-Dec	31-Dec
Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans | Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
Additional year-end information
Projected benefit obligation	22	39
Fair value of plan assets	$0	$0

Pension_and_PostRetirement_Ben8

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits - Rate Assumptions Associated with the Pension and Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans to Determine Periodic Pension Costs (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.45%	3.60%	4.35%
Expected rate of return on plan assets	7.75%	7.75%	8.25%
Compensation rate increase			3.55%
International
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	3.36%	2.96%	3.52%
Expected rate of return on plan assets	4.95%	4.87%	4.98%
Compensation rate increase	2.74%	2.59%	2.95%
Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Discount rate	4.80%	3.90%	4.50%

Pension_and_PostRetirement_Ben9

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits - Expected Employer Contributions and Benefit Payments (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
United States
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Contributions [Abstract]
Expected employer contributions	$0
Expected benefit payments for year ending December 31st
2015	177
2016	0
2017	0
2018	0
2019	0
Next 5 years	0
International
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Contributions [Abstract]
Expected employer contributions	5
Expected benefit payments for year ending December 31st
2015	6
2016	7
2017	6
2018	7
2019	7
Next 5 years	46
Post-Retirement Medical Benefit Plans
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Contributions [Abstract]
Expected employer contributions	1
Expected benefit payments for year ending December 31st
2015	1
2016	2
2017	2
2018	2
2019	2
Next 5 years	10
Expected Medicare Subsidy, 2015	0
Expected Medicare Subsidy, 2016	0
Expected Medicare Subsidy, 2017	0
Expected Medicare Subsidy, 2018	0
Expected Medicare Subsidy, 2019	0
Expected Medicare Subsidy, Next 5 Years	$0

Recovered_Sheet1

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits - Target Asset Allocations and Weighted Average Asset Allocations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Securities | United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations, Minimum	0.00%
Target Asset Allocations, Maximum	0.00%
Weighted Average Asset Allocations	0.00%
Equity Securities | International
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations, Minimum	38.00%
Target Asset Allocations, Maximum	50.00%
Weighted Average Asset Allocations	49.00%
Real Estate | United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations, Minimum	0.00%
Target Asset Allocations, Maximum	0.00%
Weighted Average Asset Allocations	0.00%
Real Estate | International
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations, Minimum	6.00%
Target Asset Allocations, Maximum	12.00%
Weighted Average Asset Allocations	9.00%
Debt Securities | United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations, Minimum	100.00%
Target Asset Allocations, Maximum	100.00%
Weighted Average Asset Allocations	100.00%
Debt Securities | International
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations, Minimum	36.00%
Target Asset Allocations, Maximum	57.00%
Weighted Average Asset Allocations	39.00%
Other | United States
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations, Minimum	0.00%
Target Asset Allocations, Maximum	0.00%
Weighted Average Asset Allocations	0.00%
Other | International
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Asset Allocations, Minimum	0.00%
Target Asset Allocations, Maximum	10.00%
Weighted Average Asset Allocations	3.00%

Recovered_Sheet2

Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits - Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Real estate	$23	$22
Common/collective trust funds b equity	126	260
Common/collective trust funds b government debt	161	18
Common/collective trust funds b Corporate and other non-government debt	120	126
Common/collective trust funds b real estate	1	1
Cash and cash equivalents	8	9
Total	439	436
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Real estate	0	0
Common/collective trust funds b equity	0	0
Common/collective trust funds b government debt	0	0
Common/collective trust funds b Corporate and other non-government debt	0	0
Common/collective trust funds b real estate	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	4	5
Total	4	5
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Real estate	23	22
Common/collective trust funds b equity	126	260
Common/collective trust funds b government debt	161	18
Common/collective trust funds b Corporate and other non-government debt	120	126
Common/collective trust funds b real estate	1	1
Cash and cash equivalents	4	4
Total	$435	$431

Other_Assets_and_Liabilities_O

Other Assets and Liabilities - Other Current Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Assets, Current [Abstract]
Other receivables	$69	$36
Prepaid expenses	20	22
Short-term investment securities	56	27
Other current assets	2	2
Total other current assets	$147	$87

Other_Assets_and_Liabilities_O1

Other Assets and Liabilities - Other Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Assets [Abstract]
Other investments	$14	$11
Cash value of life insurance policies	40	34
Deferred taxes	13	11
Long-term investment securities	0	33
Pension and post-retirement asset	11	14
Other non-current assets	36	29
Total other assets	$114	$132

Other_Assets_and_Liabilities_O2

Other Assets and Liabilities - Other Current Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Legal and professional	$7	$5
Pension and post-retirement liability	2	2
Freight	7	7
Other accrued expenses	65	63
Total other current liabilities	$81	$77

Other_Assets_and_Liabilities_O3

Other Assets and Liabilities - Other Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred compensation	$36	$31
Non-current income taxes	52	37
Other non-current liabilities	15	12
Total other non-current liabilities	$103	$80

Earnings_Per_Share_Reconciliat

Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share Reconciliation [Abstract]
Net income available to common shareholders	$500	$491	$460
Weighted average shares
Basic shares	119,000,000	120,000,000	121,000,000
Effect of dilutive securitiesboptions outstanding	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
Diluted shares	120,000,000	121,000,000	122,000,000
Net income per share - Basic (in dollars per share)	$4.20	$4.09	$3.80
Net income per share - Diluted (in dollars per share)	$4.17	$4.06	$3.77
Antidilutive Shares Excluded From Earnings Per Share Calculation [Abstract]
Number of potential common shares excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares - considered to be antidilutive	0	1,000,000	1,000,000

Share_Repurchases_Details

Share Repurchases (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Repurchase Agreements [Abstract]
Stock repurchases (in shares)	102,000,000	101,000,000
Authorized shares repurchase (in shares)	110,000,000

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$120	$69	$30
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	-130	58	33
Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	8	7	-6
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-138	51	39
Ending balance	-18	120	69
Amount Recorded as Cost of Products and Services Sold
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	6	5
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	2	2	-6
Accumulated Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	141	141	118
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	-120	0	23
Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	0	0	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-120	0	23
Ending balance	21	141	141
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	-23	-78	-88
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	-38	51	4
Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	2	-4	-6
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	-40	55	10
Ending balance	-63	-23	-78
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0	3	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	0	3	3
Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	0	6	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	0	-3	3
Ending balance	0	0	3
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	2	3	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification	28	4	3
Less: Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net income	6	5	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)	22	-1	3
Ending balance	$24	$2	$3