Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2016 USD ($)	May 31, 2016 USD ($)	Feb. 29, 2016 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2015 USD ($)	May 31, 2015 USD ($)	Feb. 28, 2015 USD ($)	Nov. 30, 2016 USD ($) segment	Nov. 30, 2015 USD ($) segment	Nov. 30, 2014 USD ($)
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Notional Amount of Nonderivative Instruments		$ 7.6								$ 9.3
trademark/tradename increase in value	$ 6.6								$ 6.6
trademark/tradename decrease in value					$ (4.9)					$ (4.9)
Fair Value Measurements, Sensitivity Analysis, Description									9.3
Number of Reportable Segments | segment									2	2
Derivative, Notional Amount					9.3					$ 9.3
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Present Value of Net Minimum Payments	16.8								$ 16.8
Research and development costs									8.2	8.3	$ 9.7
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1.4				$ 1.3				$ 1.4	$ 1.3
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	47.90%				48.40%				47.90%	48.40%
Reserve for inventory obsolescence	$ (7.1)				$ (7.3)				$ (7.1)	$ (7.3)
Asset impairment	5.4	$ 0.0	$ 0.0	$ 0.3	18.3	$ 0.5	$ 0.6	$ 0.0	5.7	19.4	0.0
Foreign currency translation gain									(0.1)	1.5	1.1
Derivative, Fair Value, Net	$ 0.3				$ 0.1				0.3	$ 0.1
unremitted foreign loss position									$ 46.1
Performance Chemicals [Member]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments | segment									2	2
Number of product lines | segment									2
Asset impairment										$ 18.3
Engineered Surfaces [Member]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of Reportable Segments | segment									2	2
Number of product lines									2
Asset impairment				$ 0.3					$ 5.4	$ 0.5
Minimum [Member]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset useful life									3 years
Maximum [Member]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible asset useful life									53 years
Other Income (Expense) [Member]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Foreign currency translation gain										$ (1.5)	$ (1.1)
Land [Member]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Description of Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Capital Leases									P20Y
Building [Member]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Line Items]
Description of Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Capital Leases									P22Y