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Goodwill and intangible assets - Goodwill and intangible asset by segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019
--- | --- | ---
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | $ 9,097 | $ 10,231
Goodwill [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 8,905 | 8,905
Alcon brand name [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 2,980 | 2,980
Acquired research & development [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 727 | 725
Technologies [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 170 | 677
Currently marketed products [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 1,243 | 1,598
Marketing know-how [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 3,576 | 3,814
Other intangible assets (including software) [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 401 | 437
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 4,953 | 5,770
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Goodwill [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 4,544 | 4,544
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Acquired research & development [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 723 | 721
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Technologies [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 170 | 677
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Currently marketed products [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 247 | 374
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Marketing know-how [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 3,576 | 3,814
Operating segments [member] | Surgical [member] | Other intangible assets (including software) [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 237 | 184
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 1,164 | 1,481
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] | Goodwill [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 4,361 | 4,361
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] | Acquired research & development [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 4 | 4
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] | Currently marketed products [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 996 | 1,224
Operating segments [member] | Vision Care [member] | Other intangible assets (including software) [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 164 | 253
Unallocated amounts [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | 2,980 | 2,980
Unallocated amounts [member] | Alcon brand name [member] |  |
Disclosure of detailed information about intangible assets [line items] |  |
Intangible assets and goodwill | $ 2,980 | $ 2,980

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