Basis of Presentation Accounting Policies (Notes)	6 Months Ended
May 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Business Description and Accounting Policies	The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the OMNOVA Solutions Inc. (“OMNOVA Solutions” or the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2013, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The balance sheet at May 31, 2014 has been derived from the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements at that date and does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim period and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature except as disclosed herein. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative, if annualized, of those to be expected for the full year. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. A detailed description of the Company’s significant accounting policies and management judgments is located in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended November 30, 2013, included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Description of Business – The Company is an innovator of emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals and engineered surfaces for a variety of commercial, industrial and residential end uses. Our products provide a variety of important functional and aesthetic benefits to hundreds of products that people use daily. We hold leading positions in key market categories, which have been built through innovative products, customized product solutions, strong technical expertise, well-established distribution channels, recognized brands and long-standing customer relationships. We utilize strategically located manufacturing, technical and other facilities in North America, Europe, China, Thailand and India to service our broad customer base. OMNOVA operates two business segments: Performance Chemicals and Engineered Surfaces. The Company’s operations are located primarily in the United States, France, China, India and Thailand. Performance Chemicals – The Performance Chemicals segment produces a broad range of emulsion polymers and specialty chemicals based primarily on styrene butadiene (SB), styrene butadiene acrylonitrile (SBA), styrene butadiene vinyl pyridine, nitrile butadiene (NBR), polyvinyl acetate, acrylic, styrene acrylic, vinyl acrylic, glyoxal, phenolic and diphenylamine antioxidants, hollow plastic pigment, fluorochemicals and bio-based chemistries. Performance Chemicals’ custom-formulated products are tailored resins, binders, adhesives, specialty rubbers, antioxidants and elastomeric modifiers which are used in paper, specialty coatings, carpet, nonwovens, construction, oil/gas drilling and recovery, adhesives, tape, tire cord, floor care, textiles, graphic arts, polymer stabilization, industrial rubbers & hoses, bio-based polymers and various other specialty applications. Its products provide a variety of functional properties to enhance the Company’s customers’ products, including greater strength, adhesion, dimensional stability, water resistance, flow and leveling, improved processibility and enhanced appearance. The Performance Chemicals segment consists of two product lines. The Performance Materials product line encompasses products that have applications in the paper, paperboard and carpet industries. Paper and paperboard coatings are used in magazines, catalogs, direct mail advertising, brochures, printed reports, food cartons, household and other consumer and industrial packaging. Carpet binders are used to secure carpet fibers to carpet backing and meet the stringent manufacturing, environmental, odor, flammability and flexible installation requirements. The Specialty Chemicals product line encompasses products that have applications for specialty coatings, nonwovens (such as disposable hygiene products, engine filters, roofing mat, scrub pads), construction, oil/gas drilling and recovery, adhesives, tape, tire cord, floor care, textiles, graphic arts, polymer stabilization, industrial rubbers & hoses, bio-based polymers, and various other specialty applications. Note A – Basis of Presentation (Continued) Engineered Surfaces – The Engineered Surfaces segment develops, designs, produces and markets a broad line of engineered surfacing products, including coated fabrics; vinyl, paper and specialty laminates; and industrial films. These products are used in numerous applications, including commercial building refurbishment, remodeling and new construction, residential cabinets, flooring, ceiling tile and furnishings, transportation markets including busses and mass transit vehicles, marine, automotive and motorcycle OEM seating and manufactured housing, recreational vehicles, medical devices and products and a variety of industrial films applications. The Engineered Surfaces segment consists of two product lines. The Coated Fabrics product line applications include upholstery used in transportation seating, automotive OEM and aftermarket applications; refurbishment and new construction for the commercial office, hospitality, health care, retail, education and restaurant markets; marine; commercial and residential furniture. The Laminates and Performance Films product line applications include kitchen and bath cabinets; wall surfacing; manufactured housing and recreational vehicle interiors; flooring; commercial and residential furniture; retail display fixtures; home furnishing; commercial appliances; and a variety of industrial film applications. Subsequent Events – The Company has evaluated subsequent events from the date on the balance sheet through the date that these financial statements are being filed with the SEC. No material events or transactions have occurred during this subsequent event reporting period which required recognition or disclosure in the financial statements. Accounting Standards Adopted in 2014 In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income” which requires companies to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated comprehensive income by component as well as requiring additional disclosures for these amounts. This ASU was effective for the Company on December 1, 2013. The adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” which amends ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” This ASU provides guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit, as either a reduction of a deferred tax asset or as a liability, when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This ASU will be effective for the Company December 1, 2014. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant, and Equipment" which revises what qualifies as a discontinued operation and changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. This ASU will be effective for the Company for applicable transactions occurring after December 1, 2015. The Company will prospectively apply the guidance to applicable transactions. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which clarifies existing accounting literature relating to how and when a company recognizes revenue. Under ASU 2014-09, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company December 1, 2017. The Company is in the process of determining what impact, if any, the adoption of this ASU will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These interim statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the OMNOVA Solutions Inc. (“OMNOVA Solutions” or the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 2013, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The balance sheet at May 31, 2014 has been derived from the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements at that date and does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

These interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim period and all such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature except as disclosed herein. The results of operations for the interim period are not necessarily indicative, if annualized, of those to be expected for the full year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

A detailed description of the Company’s significant accounting policies and management judgments is located in the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended November 30, 2013, included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

Description of Business – The Company is an innovator of emulsion polymers, specialty chemicals and engineered surfaces for a variety of commercial, industrial and residential end uses. Our products provide a variety of important functional and aesthetic benefits to hundreds of products that people use daily. We hold leading positions in key market categories, which have been built through innovative products, customized product solutions, strong technical expertise, well-established distribution channels, recognized brands and long-standing customer relationships. We utilize strategically located manufacturing, technical and other facilities in North America, Europe, China, Thailand and India to service our broad customer base. OMNOVA operates two business segments: Performance Chemicals and Engineered Surfaces.

The Company’s operations are located primarily in the United States, France, China, India and Thailand.

Performance Chemicals – The Performance Chemicals segment produces a broad range of emulsion polymers and specialty chemicals based primarily on styrene butadiene (SB), styrene butadiene acrylonitrile (SBA), styrene butadiene vinyl pyridine, nitrile butadiene (NBR), polyvinyl acetate, acrylic, styrene acrylic, vinyl acrylic, glyoxal, phenolic and diphenylamine antioxidants, hollow plastic pigment, fluorochemicals and bio-based chemistries. Performance Chemicals’ custom-formulated products are tailored resins, binders, adhesives, specialty rubbers, antioxidants and elastomeric modifiers which are used in paper, specialty coatings, carpet, nonwovens, construction, oil/gas drilling and recovery, adhesives, tape, tire cord, floor care, textiles, graphic arts, polymer stabilization, industrial rubbers & hoses, bio-based polymers and various other specialty applications. Its products provide a variety of functional properties to enhance the Company’s customers’ products, including greater strength, adhesion, dimensional stability, water resistance, flow and leveling, improved processibility and enhanced appearance.

The Performance Chemicals segment consists of two product lines. The Performance Materials product line encompasses products that have applications in the paper, paperboard and carpet industries. Paper and paperboard coatings are used in magazines, catalogs, direct mail advertising, brochures, printed reports, food cartons, household and other consumer and industrial packaging. Carpet binders are used to secure carpet fibers to carpet backing and meet the stringent manufacturing, environmental, odor, flammability and flexible installation requirements. The Specialty Chemicals product line encompasses products that have applications for specialty coatings, nonwovens (such as disposable hygiene products, engine filters, roofing mat, scrub pads), construction, oil/gas drilling and recovery, adhesives, tape, tire cord, floor care, textiles, graphic arts, polymer stabilization, industrial rubbers & hoses, bio-based polymers, and various other specialty applications.

Note A – Basis of Presentation (Continued)

Engineered Surfaces – The Engineered Surfaces segment develops, designs, produces and markets a broad line of engineered surfacing products, including coated fabrics; vinyl, paper and specialty laminates; and industrial films. These products are used in numerous applications, including commercial building refurbishment, remodeling and new construction, residential cabinets, flooring, ceiling tile and furnishings, transportation markets including busses and mass transit vehicles, marine, automotive and motorcycle OEM seating and manufactured housing, recreational vehicles, medical devices and products and a variety of industrial films applications.

The Engineered Surfaces segment consists of two product lines. The Coated Fabrics product line applications include upholstery used in transportation seating, automotive OEM and aftermarket applications; refurbishment and new construction for the commercial office, hospitality, health care, retail, education and restaurant markets; marine; commercial and residential furniture. The Laminates and Performance Films product line applications include kitchen and bath cabinets; wall surfacing; manufactured housing and recreational vehicle interiors; flooring; commercial and residential furniture; retail display fixtures; home furnishing; commercial appliances; and a variety of industrial film applications.

Subsequent Events – The Company has evaluated subsequent events from the date on the balance sheet through the date that these financial statements are being filed with the SEC. No material events or transactions have occurred during this subsequent event reporting period which required recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

Accounting Standards Adopted in 2014

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income” which requires companies to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated comprehensive income by component as well as requiring additional disclosures for these amounts. This ASU was effective for the Company on December 1, 2013. The adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists,” which amends ASC 740, “Income Taxes.” This ASU provides guidance on the financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit, as either a reduction of a deferred tax asset or as a liability, when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. This ASU will be effective for the Company December 1, 2014. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant, and Equipment" which revises what qualifies as a discontinued operation and changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and modifies related disclosure requirements. This ASU will be effective for the Company for applicable transactions occurring after December 1, 2015. The Company will prospectively apply the guidance to applicable transactions.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", which clarifies existing accounting literature relating to how and when a company recognizes revenue. Under ASU 2014-09, a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for the Company December 1, 2017. The Company is in the process of determining what impact, if any, the adoption of this ASU will have on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.