Unconsolidated Affiliates (Details) (Advanced Refining Technologies LLC joint venture (ART), USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
Equity method investment, ownership interest (as a percent)	50.00%
Sales of catalysts to equity method investee	$ 50.5	$ 59.4
Charges to equity method investee for fixed costs, research and development and selling general and administrative services	7.4	6.5
Commitment fee on credit facility (as a percent)	0.10%
W.R. Grace & Co
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
Line of credit facility, maximum provided by Grace and Chevron each	15.0
Chevron
Investment in unconsolidated affiliates
Line of credit facility, maximum provided by Grace and Chevron each	$ 15.0

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

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