XML 167 R108.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.4

Financial instruments - additional disclosures - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) |  | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
May 27, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Mar. 06, 2019
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Contingent liabilities recognised in business combination |  |  | $ 470,000,000 | $ 510,000,000 |
Derivative liabilities |  |  | 4,000,000 | 15,000,000 |
Derivative financial instruments |  |  | 3,000,000 | 1,000,000 |
Current derivative financial liabilities |  |  | 7,000,000 | 16,000,000 |
Proceeds from borrowings | $ 750,000,000 |  |  |  |
Borrowings, interest rate | 2.60% |  |  |  |
Senior notes due 2030 [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from borrowings | $ 750,000,000 |  |  |  |
Borrowings, interest rate | 2.60% |  |  |  |
Notional amount | $ 750,000,000 |  |  |  |
Revolving facility [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Notional amount |  |  | $ 1,000,000,000.0 |  | $ 1,000,000,000.0
Interest rate risk [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Reasonably possible change in risk variable, percent |  |  | 1.00% |  |
Reasonably possible change in risk variable, impact on loss before taxes |  |  | $ 14,000,000 |  |
Commodity price risk [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Reasonably possible change in risk variable, percent |  |  | 10.00% |  |
Contingent consideration liabilities [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Purchases, fair value measurement, liabilities |  | $ 135,000,000 |  |  |
Contingent consideration liabilities [member] | Level 3 [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Payments |  |  | $ 40,000,000 | 0 |
Adjustments for changes in assumptions |  |  | 63,000,000 | 75,000,000 |
Purchases, fair value measurement, liabilities |  |  | $ 0 | $ 135,000,000 |
Minimum [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Success probability |  |  | 55.00% | 70.00% |
Maximum [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Success probability |  |  | 100.00% | 100.00% |
Significant parameters, measurement input [Member] | Contingent consideration liabilities [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of possible increase in unobservable input, liabilities |  |  | 10.00% |  |
Percentage of reasonably possible decrease in unobservable input, liabilities |  |  | 10.00% |  |
Increase (decrease) in fair value due to possible increase in unobservable input, recognised in profit or loss, before tax, liabilities |  |  | $ 23,000,000 |  |
Increase (decrease) in fair value measurement due to reasonably possible decrease in unobservable input, recognised in profit or loss, before tax, liabilities |  |  | 23,000,000 |  |
Probability of success, measurement input [Member] | Contingent consideration liabilities [member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Increase (decrease) in fair value due to possible increase in unobservable input, recognised in profit or loss, before tax, liabilities |  |  | 24,000,000 |  |
Increase (decrease) in fair value measurement due to reasonably possible decrease in unobservable input, recognised in profit or loss, before tax, liabilities |  |  | $ 24,000,000 |  |
Long-term financial investments [member] | Pricing, measurement input [Member] |  |  |  |  |
Disclosure of nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments [line items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of possible increase in unobservable input, assets |  |  | 10.00% |  |
Percentage of reasonably possible decrease in unobservable input, assets |  |  | 10.00% |  |
Increase (decrease) in fair value due to increase in unobservable input, assets |  |  | $ 4,000,000 |  |
Increase (decrease) in fair value measurement due to reasonably possible decrease in unobservable input, recognised in other comprehensive income, before tax, assets |  |  | $ 4,000,000 |  |

X
- Definition Adjustments, Fair Value Measurement, Liabilities + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_AdjustmentsFairValueMeasurementLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Contingent Liabilities, Success Probability + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_ContingentLiabilitiesSuccessProbability
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Current Derivative Financial Assets (Liabilities), Net + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_CurrentDerivativeFinancialAssetsLiabilitiesNet
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Payments, Fair Value Measurement, Liabilities + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_PaymentsFairValueMeasurementLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sensitivity Analysis For Types Of Market Risk, Reasonably Possible Change In Risk Variable, Impact On Pre-Tax Earnings + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_SensitivityAnalysisForTypesOfMarketRiskReasonablyPossibleChangeInRiskVariableImpactOnPreTaxEarnings
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Sensitivity Analysis For Types Of Market Risk, Reasonably Possible Change In Risk Variable, Percent + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | alc_SensitivityAnalysisForTypesOfMarketRiskReasonablyPossibleChangeInRiskVariablePercent
Namespace Prefix: | alc_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The interest rate on borrowings. [Refer: Borrowings] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IFRS -Number 7 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 7 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=7&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_7&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_BorrowingsInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of contingent liabilities recognised in a business combination. [Refer: Contingent liabilities [member]; Business combinations [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 3 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph B67 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=3&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_B67_c&doctype=Appendix&subtype=B -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ContingentLiabilitiesRecognisedInBusinessCombination
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of current derivative financial assets. [Refer: Derivative financial assets] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 55 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_55&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CurrentDerivativeFinancialAssets
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of current derivative financial liabilities. [Refer: Derivative financial liabilities] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 55 -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_55&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_CurrentDerivativeFinancialLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes of the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_DisclosureOfNatureAndExtentOfRisksArisingFromFinancialInstrumentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of increase (decrease) in the fair value measurement of assets, recognised in other comprehensive income before tax, due to a reasonably possible decrease in an unobservable input. [Refer: Tax income (expense)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IFRS -Number 13 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 93 -Subparagraph h -Clause ii -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=13&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_93_h_ii&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueMeasurementDueToReasonablyPossibleDecreaseInUnobservableInputRecognisedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTaxAssets
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of increase (decrease) in the fair value measurement of liabilities, recognised in profit or loss before tax, due to a reasonably possible decrease in an unobservable input. [Refer: Tax income (expense)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IFRS -Number 13 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 93 -Subparagraph h -Clause ii -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=13&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_93_h_ii&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueMeasurementDueToReasonablyPossibleDecreaseInUnobservableInputRecognisedInProfitOrLossBeforeTaxLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of increase (decrease) in the fair value measurement of assets, recognised in other comprehensive income before tax, due to a reasonably possible increase in an unobservable input. [Refer: Tax income (expense)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IFRS -Number 13 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 93 -Subparagraph h -Clause ii -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=13&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_93_h_ii&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueMeasurementDueToReasonablyPossibleIncreaseInUnobservableInputRecognisedInOtherComprehensiveIncomeBeforeTaxAssets
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of increase (decrease) in the fair value measurement of liabilities, recognised in profit or loss before tax, due to a reasonably possible increase in an unobservable input. [Refer: Tax income (expense)] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IFRS -Number 13 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 93 -Subparagraph h -Clause ii -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=13&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_93_h_ii&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueMeasurementDueToReasonablyPossibleIncreaseInUnobservableInputRecognisedInProfitOrLossBeforeTaxLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The nominal or face amount of a financial instrument, used to calculate payments made on that instrument. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IAS -Number 1 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 112 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=1&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_112_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_NotionalAmount
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The percentage of a reasonably possible decrease in an unobservable input used in fair value measurement of assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IFRS -Number 13 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 93 -Subparagraph h -Clause ii -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=13&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_93_h_ii&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_PercentageOfReasonablyPossibleDecreaseInUnobservableInputAssets
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The percentage of a reasonably possible decrease in an unobservable input used in fair value measurement of liabilities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IFRS -Number 13 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 93 -Subparagraph h -Clause ii -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=13&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_93_h_ii&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_PercentageOfReasonablyPossibleDecreaseInUnobservableInputLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The percentage of a reasonably possible increase in an unobservable input used in fair value measurement of assets. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IFRS -Number 13 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 93 -Subparagraph h -Clause ii -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=13&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_93_h_ii&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_PercentageOfReasonablyPossibleIncreaseInUnobservableInputAssets
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The percentage of a reasonably possible increase in an unobservable input used in fair value measurement of liabilities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Name IFRS -Number 13 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 93 -Subparagraph h -Clause ii -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=13&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_93_h_ii&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_PercentageOfReasonablyPossibleIncreaseInUnobservableInputLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cash inflow from borrowings obtained. [Refer: Borrowings] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name IAS -Number 7 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph c -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IAS&num=7&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_17_c&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ProceedsFromBorrowingsClassifiedAsFinancingActivities
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The increase in the fair value measurement of liabilities resulting from purchases of those liabilities. [Refer: At fair value [member]] + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name IFRS -Number 13 -IssueDate 2020-01-01 -Paragraph 93 -Subparagraph e -Clause iii -URI http://eifrs.ifrs.org/eifrs/xifrs-link?type=IFRS&num=13&code=ifrs-tx-2020-en-r&anchor=para_93_e_iii&doctype=Standard -URIDate 2020-01-01 + Details
Name: | ifrs-full_PurchasesFairValueMeasurementLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | ifrs-full_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_BorrowingsByNameAxis=alc_SeniorNotesDue2030Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_BorrowingsByNameAxis=alc_RevolvingFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_TypesOfRisksAxis=ifrs-full_InterestRateRiskMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_TypesOfRisksAxis=ifrs-full_CommodityPriceRiskMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ClassesOfFinancialLiabilitiesAxis=alc_FinancialLiabilitiesContingentConsiderationLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_LevelsOfFairValueHierarchyAxis=ifrs-full_Level3OfFairValueHierarchyMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_UnobservableInputsAxis=alc_SignificantParametersMeasurementInputMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_UnobservableInputsAxis=alc_ProbabilityOfSuccessMeasurementInputMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_ClassesOfFinancialAssetsAxis=alc_FinancialAssetsLongtermFinancialInvestmentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | ifrs-full_UnobservableInputsAxis=alc_PricingMeasurementInputMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |