Operating Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013 segment	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating segment information
Chapter 11 Related Costs									$ 16.4	$ 15.6	$ 23.9
Number of operating segments									3
Net Sales
Net sales	776.7	771.3	802.8	709.9	797.8	776.6	826.7	754.4	3,060.7	3,155.5	3,211.9
Adjusted EBIT
Grace Adjusted EBIT									550.8	558.2	513.3
Depreciation and Amortization									123.1	119.0	120.0
Capital Expenditures									156.2	138.5	144.0
Total Assets	5,396.1				5,090.4				5,396.1	5,090.4	4,495.6
Certain Pension Costs									27.4	30.4	28.7
Reconciliation of operating segment data to financial statements
Grace Adjusted EBIT									550.8	558.2	513.3
Chapter 11- and asbestos-related costs, net									(11.9)	(7.6)	(20.8)
Asbestos and bankruptcy-related charges									(21.9)	(384.6)	0
Default interest settlement on prepetition debt									(129.0)	0	0
Defined Benefit Pension Mark to Market Adjustment									50.6	(119.2)	(111.2)
Restructuring expenses and related asset impairments									(12.5)	(6.9)	(6.9)
Loss on sale of product line									(1.0)	(0.2)	(0.4)
Divestment expenses										(0.2)	(0.4)
Exchange Rate Net Charges									8.5	0	0
Interest expense and related financing costs									(43.8)	(46.5)	(43.3)
Consolidated Exchange Rate Net Charges									6.9
Interest income of non-Debtor subsidiaries									1.0	1.0	1.2
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests									1.6	1.0	(0.6)
Income before income taxes									360.6	(20.6)	307.0
Catalysts Technologies
Net Sales
Net sales									1,124.0	1,268.1	1,347.3
Adjusted EBIT
Operating income (loss)									327.5	393.8	388.8
Depreciation and Amortization									54.2	54.0	52.5
Capital Expenditures									58.7	70.8	74.5
Total Assets	1,361.8				794.8				1,361.8	794.8	804.5
Reconciliation of operating segment data to financial statements
Restructuring expenses and related asset impairments									(4.0)	(0.2)
Materials Technologies
Net Sales
Net sales									878.5	862.6	872.6
Adjusted EBIT
Operating income (loss)									181.8	162.0	158.7
Depreciation and Amortization									31.4	29.5	30.9
Capital Expenditures									33.0	27.1	32.3
Total Assets	508.9				494.9				508.9	494.9	481.1
Reconciliation of operating segment data to financial statements
Restructuring expenses and related asset impairments									(0.4)	(1.0)
Construction Products
Net Sales
Net sales									1,058.2	1,024.8	992.0
Adjusted EBIT
Operating income (loss)									151.7	125.2	97.3
Depreciation and Amortization									31.8	32.9	34.0
Capital Expenditures									32.8	26.5	19.5
Total Assets	609.1				616.0				609.1	616.0	545.9
Reconciliation of operating segment data to financial statements
Restructuring expenses and related asset impairments									(6.1)	(2.0)
Corporate costs
Adjusted EBIT
Operating income (loss)									(82.8)	(92.4)	(102.8)
Reconciliation of operating segment data to financial statements
Exchange Rate Net Charges				(6.9)						0	0
Corporate [Member]
Adjusted EBIT
Depreciation and Amortization									5.7	2.6	2.6
Capital Expenditures									31.7	14.1	17.7
Total Assets	2,916.3				3,184.7				2,916.3	3,184.7	2,664.1
Reconciliation of operating segment data to financial statements
Restructuring expenses and related asset impairments									$ (2.0)	$ (3.7)