Business Segment Information - Summary of Operations by Segment and Reconciliation of Segment sales (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 251.7	$ 275.9
Operating Profit (Loss)	15.0	28.2
Interest expense	(8.6)	(9.5)
Corporate expense	(5.6)	(4.5)
Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes	0.8	14.2
Performance Chemicals
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Sales	191.2	218.4
Operating Profit (Loss)	14.5	25.7
Performance Chemicals | Paper and Carpet Chemicals
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Sales	67.3	86.5
Performance Chemicals | Specialty Chemicals
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Sales	123.9	131.9
Decorative Products
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Sales	60.5	57.5
Operating Profit (Loss)	0.5	2.5
Decorative Products | Coated Fabrics
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Sales	28.9	28.2
Decorative Products | Laminates and Performance Films
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 31.6	$ 29.3