Accounts and other receivables recognized in fair value of currency forward contracts. Accounts And Other Receivables Recognized In Fair Value Of Currency Forward Contracts Estimated fair value of currency forward contracts included accounts and other receivables Accounts Notes Loans And Financing Receivable By Receivable Type [Axis] Receivable Type [Axis] Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Current Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Total Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Line Items] Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Line Items] Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Line Items] Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Table] Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Table] Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Table] Accounts Payable Current Accounts payable Accounts Receivable Gross Current Accounts and other receivables Accrued Employee Benefits Current Employee benefits Accrued Income Taxes Current Income taxes Accrued Marketing Costs Current Accrued sales discounts and rebates Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Accumulated other comprehensive loss Additional Paid In Capital Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Additional paid-in capital Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Benefit plan expense greater (less) than cash funding: Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Current Allowance for doubtful accounts Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Amount of term loan issued. Amount Of Term Loan Issued Amount of Term Loan Issued Assets Total assets Assets Current Total current assets Assets Current [Abstract] Current assets: Assets Noncurrent Total other assets Assets Noncurrent [Abstract] Other assets: Available For Sale Securities Amortized Cost Cost Basis Available For Sale Securities Gross Unrealized Gain Loss Unrealized gains (losses) Available For Sale Securities [Text Block] Classification of Marketable Securities Number of shares held of an available for sale security. Available For Sale Security Held Outstanding common stock Base rate. Base Rate [Member] Base Rate Basis Of Accounting Policy Policy [Text Block] Basis of presentation Buildings And Improvements Gross Buildings Call premium paid. Call Premium Paid Call premium and interest paid on Senior Notes redeemed Canadian first-tier European subsidiaries. Canadian First Tier European Subsidiaries [Member] Canadian first-tier European subsidiaries Capital Expenditures Incurred But Not Yet Paid Accrual for capital expenditures Carrying Reported Amount Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Carrying Amount Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Balance at end of period Balance at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Fair Value Disclosure Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents - net change from: Cash paid Cash Paid [Abstract] Cash paid for: Commitments And Contingencies Commitments and contingencies (Notes 8 and 11) Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and contingencies Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid Cash dividends per share Common Stock [Member] Common stock Common Stock Value Common stock Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Comprehensive income Construction In Progress Gross Construction in progress Contran Corporation [Member] Contran Corporation [Member] Contran Corporation Cost Of Goods Sold Cost of sales Counterparty Name [Axis] Counterparty Name [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt instrument base principal amount. Debt Instrument Base Principal Amount Debt instrument base principal amount Debt Instrument Basis Spread On Variable Rate Percentage spread on LIBOR Debt Instrument Basis Spread On Variable Rate Before Amendment Debt Instrument Basis Spread On Variable Rate Before Amendment Percentage spread on LIBOR before amendment Debt Instrument Carrying Amount Outstanding Amount of Senior Secured Notes Debt instrument estimated market price per base principal amount Debt Instrument Estimated Market Price Per Base Principal Amount Debt instrument, estimated market price per euro 1,000 principal amount Debt Instrument Increase Additional Borrowings Additional Term Loan Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage Percentage of senior secured notes Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument Maturity Date Remaining principal balance due date Debt Instrument Name [Domain] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument Periodic Payment Principal Quarterly principal repayments Debt Instrument Repurchased Face Amount Senior notes repurchased Debt Instrument [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument Unamortized Discount Unamortized discount balance Deferred Finance Costs Noncurrent Net Deferred financing costs, net Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities Current Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent Deferred income taxes The amount of benefit expense during the period for defined benefit plans greater (less) than the cash funding payments during the period. Defined Benefit Pension Expense Defined benefit pension plans Defined Benefit Pension Plan Liabilities Noncurrent Accrued pension cost Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Gain Loss Recognized actuarial loss Defined Benefit Plan Amortization Of Prior Service Cost Credit Amortization of prior service (credit) cost Defined Benefit Plan Amortization Of Transition Obligations Assets Amortization of net transition obligations Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] Defined Benefit Plan Estimated Future Employer Contributions In Current Fiscal Year Expected contributions for pension plans in 2012 Defined Benefit Plan Expected Return On Plan Assets Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan Interest Cost Interest cost Defined Benefit Plan Net Periodic Benefit Cost Total Defined Benefit Plans Disclosure Defined Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans Disclosure Defined Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans Disclosure Defined Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans Disclosure Defined Benefit Plans [Domain] Defined Benefit Plans Disclosure Defined Benefit Plans [Domain] Defined Benefit Plans Disclosure Defined Benefit Plans [Domain] Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures Defined Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plans [Domain] Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Domain] Defined Benefit Plan Service Cost Service cost Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Depreciation and amortization Derivative Forward Exchange Rate 1 Forward currency contracts, exchange rate Derivative [Line Items] Derivative [Line Items] Derivatives Policy [Text Block] Derivatives and Hedging Derivative [Table] Derivative [Table] Description Of New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Recent accounting standards Disclosure - Accounts and other receivables [Abstract] Disclosure Accounts And Other Receivables [Abstract] Disclosure - Accounts and other receivables [Abstract] Disclosure - Accounts payable and accrued liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure - Accounts payable and accrued liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] Disclosure Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] Disclosure Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract] Disclosure - Employee benefit plans (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) [Abstract] Disclosure Employee Benefit Plans Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Disclosure - Employee benefit plans (Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost) [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial instruments (Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value but Which Require Fair Value Disclosure) [Abstract] Disclosure Financial Instruments Financial Instruments Not Carried At Fair Value But Which Require Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial instruments (Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value but Which Require Fair Value Disclosure) [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial instruments (Textual) [Abstract] Disclosure Financial Instruments Textual [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial instruments (Textual) [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial instruments (Valuation of Financial Instruments Recorded on Fair Value Basis) [Abstract] Disclosure Financial Instruments Valuation Of Financial Instruments Recorded On Fair Value Basis [Abstract] Disclosure - Financial instruments (Valuation of Financial Instruments Recorded on Fair Value Basis) [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes [Abstract] Disclosure - Income taxes (Textual) [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Textual [Abstract] Disclosure - Income taxes (Textual) [Abstract] Disclosure Inventories [Abstract] Disclosure Inventories [Abstract] Disclosure Inventories [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt Components Of Long Term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt Components Of Long Term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure Long Term Debt Components Of Long Term Debt [Abstract] Disclosure - Marketable securities [Abstract] Disclosure Marketable Securities [Abstract] Disclosure - Marketable securities [Abstract] Disclosure - Marketable securities (Classification of Marketable Securities) [Abstract] Disclosure Marketable Securities Classification Of Marketable Securities [Abstract] Disclosure - Marketable securities (Classification of Marketable Securities) [Abstract] Disclosure - Organization and basis of presentation [Abstract] Disclosure Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract] Disclosure - Organization and basis of presentation [Abstract] Disclosure Other Non Current Assets [Abstract] Disclosure Other Non Current Assets [Abstract] Disclosure Other Non Current Assets [Abstract] Disclosure - Other noncurrent liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure Other Noncurrent Liabilities [Abstract] Disclosure - Other noncurrent liabilities [Abstract] Dividend Distributed By Subsidiary To Individual Shareholder Dividend Distributed By Subsidiary To Individual Shareholder Dividend distributed by french subsidiary Dividends Common Stock Cash Dividends paid Dividend Surtax Dividend Surtax French dividend surtax DnB Nor Bank ASA. Dnb Nor Bank Asa [Member] Dnb Nor Bank ASA Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Documentand Entity Information [Abstract] Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Information [Table] Document Information [Table] Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Document Type Due To Affiliate Current Payable to affiliates Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted Net income per basic and diluted share Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate Effect Of Exchange Rate On Cash And Cash Equivalents Currency translation Employee Related Liabilities Current And Noncurrent Employee benefits Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Equity Component [Domain] Equity Component [Domain] Equity Method Investee Name [Domain] Equity Method Investee, Name [Domain] Equity Method Investment Dividends Or Distributions Distributions from (contributions to) TiO2 manufacturing joint venture, net Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage Ownership percentage in company Estimate Of Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member] Fair Value Extinguishment Of Debt Amount Principal amount of debt redeemed or repurchased Fair Value By Balance Sheet Grouping Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair Value By Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value By Balance Sheet Grouping [Text Block] Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value but Which Require Fair Value Disclosure Fair Value By Fair Value Hierarchy Level [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Financial instruments Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items] Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items] Fair Value Inputs Assets Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items] Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1) Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Foreign currency contracts monthly maturing amounts. Foreign Currency Contracts Maturing Value Foreign currency contracts maturing value Foreign Currency Derivatives At Fair Value Net Currency forward contracts Estimated fair value of currency forward contracts included in balance sheet Foreign Currency Transaction Gain Loss Before Tax Currency transaction gains (losses), net Foreign Currency Transaction Loss Before Tax Currency transaction loss France [Member] France [Member] French subsidiary Gains Losses On Extinguishment Of Debt Gain (loss) on prepayment of debt, net Net gain on senior notes repurchased Loss on prepayment of debt, net Gross Profit Gross margin Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Income before income taxes Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Axis] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Tax Authority [Domain] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income taxes Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes Paid Net Income taxes Income Taxes [Table] Income Taxes [Table] Income Taxes [Table] Income Tax Examination Range Of Possible Losses Possible cash tax liability Income Tax Expense Benefit Income tax expense (benefit) Total Income Tax Reconciliation Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential Non-U.S. tax rates Income Tax Reconciliation Income Tax Expense Benefit At Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate Expected tax expense, at U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate of 35% Income Tax Reconciliation Other Reconciling Items Other, net Income Tax Reconciliation State And Local Income Taxes U.S. state income taxes, net Increase Decrease Due From Affiliates Accounts with affiliates Increase Decrease In Accounts And Other Receivables Accounts and other receivables Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase Decrease In Accrued Income Taxes Payable Income taxes Increase Decrease In Inventories Inventories Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Change in assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Other Operating Capital Net Other, net Increase Decrease In Prepaid Deferred Expense And Other Assets Prepaid expenses Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash Change in restricted cash equivalents Additional tax incurred domestically for amounts earned overseas. Incremental Tax On Equity In Earnings Incremental tax on earnings of non-U.S. companies Incremental income taxes on current earnings repatriated from a non-U.S. subsidiary. Incremental United States Tax Provision for income taxes Interest Expense Interest expense Interest Paid Net Interest (including call premium paid) Interest Payable Current Accrued interest Inventories Net [Line Items] Inventories Net [Line Items] Inventories Net [Line Items] Inventories [Table] Inventories [Table] Inventories [Table] Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] Inventories Inventory Finished Goods Finished products Inventory Net Inventories Total Inventory Raw Materials Raw materials Inventory Work In Process Work in process Investment Income Interest And Dividend Interest and dividend income Investments In Affiliates Subsidiaries Associates And Joint Ventures Investment in TiO2 manufacturing joint venture Land Land Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Letter Of Credit [Member] Letter of Credit Letters Of Credit Outstanding Amount Aggregate letter of credit outstanding amount Letter of credit Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities Noncurrent Total noncurrent liabilities Liabilities Noncurrent [Abstract] Noncurrent liabilities: Liability For Uncertain Tax Positions Noncurrent Reserve for uncertain tax positions Libor. Libor [Member] Libor Line Of Credit Facility Amount Outstanding Outstanding borrowings under this revolving credit facility Revolving European credit facility Line Of Credit Facility Current Borrowing Capacity Available for borrowing Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate At Period End Percentage of average interest rate Line Of Credit Facility Interest Rate During Period Percentage of average interest rate, during period Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity Issuance of letter of credit Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity Before Amendment Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity Before Amendment Line of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity Before Amendment Line Of Credit Maturity Month And Year Line Of Credit Maturity Month And Year Line of Credit Maturity Date Before Amendment Line Of Credit Maturity Month And Year Before Amendment Line Of Credit Maturity Month And Year Before Amendment Line of Credit Maturity Date Line Of Credit [Member] Revolving European Credit Facility Lines Of Credit Fair Value Disclosure European credit facility Loans Notes Trade And Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Accounts and other receivables Loans Payable Term loan Loans Payable Fair Value Disclosure Term loan Long Term Debt Total debt Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Long-term debt Total long-term debt Long Term Debt Current Current maturities of long-term debt Less current maturities Long Term Debt Current And Noncurrent [Line Items] Long Term Debt Current And Noncurrent [Line Items] Long Term Debt Current And Noncurrent [Line Items] Long Term Debt Current And Noncurrent [Table] Long Term Debt Current And Noncurrent [Table] Long Term Debt Current And Noncurrent [Table] Long Term Debt [Text Block] Long-term debt Longterm Debt Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Longterm Debt Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Louisiana Pigment Company [Member] Louisiana Pigment Company [Member] Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. Machinery And Equipment Gross Equipment Major Types Of Debt And Equity Securities [Axis] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Major Types Of Debt And Equity Securities [Domain] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Marketable Securities Current Current marketable securities Current marketable securities Marketable securities Marketable Securities Noncurrent Marketable securities Noncurrent marketable securities Marketable Securities Policy Marketable Securities Marketable Securities [Text Block] Marketable securities Maximum ratio of EBITDA to leverage to to be maintained. Maximum Leverage To Ebit To Be Maintained Maintenence of specified financial covenant Maximum [Member] Maximum Minimum amount of debt default for using customary default provisions. Minimum Amount Of Debt Default For Using Customary Default Provisions Minimum amount of debt default for using customary default provisions Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio to be maintained. Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio To Be Maintained Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio to be maintained Minimum [Member] Minimum Mining properties. Mining Properties Mining properties Mutual Funds [Member] Mutual Funds [Member] Mutual funds Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net cash used in provided by operating investing and financing activities. Net Cash Used In Provided By Operating Investing And Financing Activities Operating, investing and financing activities Net Income Loss Net income Net income New Accounting Pronouncements Policy Policy [Text Block] Recent Accounting Standards NL and CompX common stocks. Nl And Compx Common Stocks [Member] NL and CompX common stocks NL industries inc. Nl Industries Inc [Member] NL Industries Inc. Nonoperating Income Expense [Abstract] Other income (expense): Note receivable pledged as collateral with related party. Note Receivable Pledged As Collateral With Related Party Note receivable pledged as collateral with related parties Notes Payable Fair Value Disclosure Fixed rate with market quotes - 6.5% Senior Secured Notes Notes Receivable Related Parties Noncurrent Note receivable from Valhi Notional Amount Of Foreign Currency Derivatives Forward currency contracts aggregate exchange value Open market transactions. Open Market Transactions [Member] Open market transactions Operating Income Loss Income from operations Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items] Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Table] Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Table] Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Table] Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Organization and basis of presentation Organization [Policy Text Block] Organization Policy [Text Block] Organization Other Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Other Other Assets Miscellaneous Noncurrent Other Other Assets Noncurrent Other Total Other Comprehensive Income Availableforsale Securities Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent Marketable securities adjustment Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent Benefit plans Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Currency Transaction And Translation Adjustment Net Of Tax Portion Attributable To Parent Currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Other comprehensive income, net Total other comprehensive income (loss) Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Other Inventory Supplies Supplies Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] Other noncurrent liabilities Other Liabilities Noncurrent Other Total Other Long Term Debt Other Other Long Term Liabilities [Line Items] Other Long Term Liabilities [Line Items] Other Long Term Liabilities [Line Items] Other Long Term Liabilities [Table] Other Long Term Liabilities [Table] Other Long Term Liabilities [Table] Other Noncash Income Expense Other, net Other Noncurrent Assets [Line Items] Other Noncurrent Assets [Line Items] Other Noncurrent Assets [Line Items] Other Noncurrent Assets [Table] Other Noncurrent Assets [Table] Other Noncurrent Assets [Table] Other noncurrent assets [Text Block]. Other Noncurrent Assets [Text Block] Other noncurrent assets Tabular disclosure of other noncurrent liabilities. Other Noncurrent Liabilities Table [Text Block] Components of Other Noncurrent Liabilities Other Operating Income Expense Net Other operating expense, net Other Postretirement Benefit Expense Other postretirement benefits Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Defined Benefit [Member] Postretirement benefits Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plan Liabilities Noncurrent Accrued postretirement benefit cost Other Sundry Liabilities Noncurrent Other Parent Company [Member] Valhi, Inc. Payable to affiliates. Payable To Affiliates [Abstract] Payable to affiliates: Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities Other, net Payments Of Dividends Common Stock Dividends paid Payments To Acquire Available For Sale Securities Equity Purchase of marketable securities Payments To Acquire Investments [Abstract] Purchase of marketable securities: Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment Capital expenditures Payments To Fund Longterm Loans To Related Parties Loans Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Employee benefit plans Pension Plans Defined Benefit [Member] Defined benefit plans Percentage of ownership in affiliate's outstanding common stock. Percentage Of Affiliate Ownership Percentage of common stock outstanding Percentage of interest in subsidiary pledged. Percentage Of Interest In Subsidiary Pledged Term Loan Collateralized Priority Percentage of term loan issued amount to principal amount. Percentage Of Term Loan Issued Amount To Principal Amount Percentage of term loan issued amount to principal amount Percentage spread on Base Rate. Percentage Spread On Base Rate Percentage spread on base rate Percentage Tax Due On Future Dividend Distributions Percentage Tax Due On Future Dividend Distributions Additional tax on future dividend distributions Prepaid Expense And Other Assets Current Prepaid expenses and other Proceeds From Collection Of Longterm Loans To Related Parties Collections Proceeds From Collection Of Payments To Fund Longterm Loans To Related Parties [Abstract] Loans to Valhi: Proceeds From Long Term Lines Of Credit Borrowings Revolving credit facility, borrowings Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities Other, net Proceeds From Repayments Of Long Term Debt And Capital Securities [Abstract] Indebtedness: Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Proceeds from sale of marketable securities - mutual funds Property Plant And Equipment Gross Gross property and equipment Property Plant And Equipment Net Net property and equipment Property Plant And Equipment Net [Abstract] Property and equipment: Quoted market price per common share. Quoted Market Price Per Common Share Quoted market price of per share Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Member] Range [Domain] Receivable From Affiliate [Member] Receivable From Affiliate [Member] Receivable from affiliate Receivables [Line Items] Receivables [Line Items] Receivables [Line Items] Receivables Net Current Accounts and other receivables Total Receivables [Table] Receivables [Table] Receivables [Table] Receivable Type [Domain] Receivable Type [Domain] Recoverable VAT And Other Receivables [Member] Recoverable Vat And Other Receivables [Member] Recoverable VAT and other receivables Redemption Premium Call premium Refundable Income Taxes [Member] Refundable Income Taxes [Member] Refundable income taxes Related party and subsidiary ownership percentage outstanding common stock. Related Party And Subsidiary Ownership Percentage Outstanding Common Stock Ownership percentage in subsidiary Related Party [Domain] Related Party [Domain] Related Party Transactions By Related Party [Axis] Related Party [Axis] Repayment of debt, percentage on principal amount. Repayment Of Debt Percentage On Principal Amount Repayment of debt, percentage on principal amount Repayments Of Lines Of Credit Repayments of Lines of Credit Repayments Of Long Term Debt Principal payments Repayments Of Notes Payable Aggregate redemption or repurchase price on principal amount Repurchase Agreement Counterparty Name [Domain] Counterparty Name [Domain] Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Restricted cash Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Noncurrent Restricted cash Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Retained deficit Retained Earnings [Member] Retained deficit Revolving European Credit Facility [Member] Revolving European Credit Facility [Member] Revolving European Credit Facility Revolving North American credit facility. Revolving North American Credit Facility [Member] Revolving North American Credit Facility Sales Revenue Net Net sales Schedule Of Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Table [Text Block] Components of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Line Items] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] Schedule Of Available For Sale Securities [Table] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table] Tabular disclosure of the detail of balances comprising Accounts and Other Receivables on the consolidated balance sheet. Schedule Of Components Of Accounts And Other Receivables Net Table [Text Block] Schedule of Accounts and Other Receivables Schedule Of Debt Instruments [Text Block] Components of Long Term Debt Schedule Of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Table [Text Block] Component of Income Taxes Schedule Of Equity Method Investment Equity Method Investee Name [Axis] Equity Method Investee, Name [Axis] Schedule Of Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Table [Text Block] Valuation of Financial Instruments Recorded on Fair Value Basis Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items] Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items] Schedule Of Income Taxes [Line Items] Schedule Of Income Taxes [Table] Schedule Of Income Taxes [Table] Schedule Of Income Taxes [Table] Schedule Of Inventory Current Table [Text Block] Schedule of Inventories Schedule Of Net Benefit Costs Table [Text Block] Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Schedule Of Other Assets Noncurrent [Text Block] Schedule of Other Noncurrent Assets Selling General And Administrative Expense Selling, general and administrative expense Senior Notes Kronos International, Inc. 6.5% Senior Secured Notes Six point five percent senior secured notes. Six Point Five Percent Senior Secured Notes [Member] 6.5% Senior Secured Notes Special Dividend Included In Cash Dividend for First Quarter 2011. Special Dividend Included In Cash Dividend Special dividend included in cash dividend for first quarter 2011 Spread Base [Axis] Spread Base [Axis] Spread Base [Axis] Spread Base [Domain] Spread Base [Domain] Spread Base [Domain] Statement Equity Components [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Stockholders Equity Ending balance Beginning balance Common stockholders' equity Total stockholders' equity Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Stockholders' equity: Stockholders Equity Note Stock Split Conversion Ratio Split of common stock Stock split conversion ratio Stock Issued During Period Value New Issues Issuance of common stock Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Surtax Levied On Dividends And Other Distributions Percentage Surtax Levied On Dividends And Other Distributions Percentage Nondeductible surtax on dividend distributions Term loan. Term Loan [Member] Term Loan Text Block [Abstract] Text Block [Abstract] TIMET common stock. Timet Common Stock [Member] TIMET common stock Trade Accounts Receivable [Member] Trade receivables Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Undistributed Earnings Of Subsidiary Undistributed Earnings Of Subsidiary Undistributed earnings of french subsidiary Us wholly owned subsidiaries. Us Wholly Owned Subsidiaries [Member] U.S. wholly-owned subsidiaries Valhi common stock. Valhi Common Stock [Member] Valhi common stock Weighted Average Number Of Share Outstanding Basic And Diluted Weighted-average shares used in the calculation of net income per share Wells Fargo Bank, NA. Wells Fargo Bank Na [Member] Wells Fargo Bank, NA