Significant Accounting Policies Level 2 (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and also requires the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. In addition, it requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment—The Company reviews long-lived definite-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is based on estimated undiscounted cash flows. Measurement of the loss, if any, is based on the difference between the carrying value and fair value.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as a result of the likelihood that certain long-lived assets would be disposed of before the end of their estimated useful lives, resulting in lower future cash flows associated with these assets, the Company recorded impairments of $7 on these assets in its Epoxy, Phenolic and Coating Resins segment.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded the following asset impairments:

As a result of the likelihood that certain long-lived assets would be disposed of before the end of their estimated useful lives, resulting in lower future cash flows associated with these assets, the Company recorded impairments of $15 and $6 on these assets in its Epoxy, Phenolic and Coating Resins and Forest Products Resins segments, respectively.

As a result of market weakness and the loss of a customer, resulting in lower future cash flows associated with certain long-lived assets within the Company’s European forest products resins business, the Company recorded impairments of $2 on these assets in its Forest Products Resins segment.

In addition, the Company recorded accelerated depreciation of $1 and $7 related to closing facilities during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Subsequent Events—The Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to September 30, 2013 through November 13, 2013, the date of issuance of its unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Reclassifications, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications—Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform with current presentations.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Newly Adopted Accounting Standards

On February 5, 2013, the Company adopted the provisions of Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02: Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”). ASU 2013-02 amended existing comprehensive income guidance and is intended to improve the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU 2013-02 requires entities to disclose additional detail about the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the respective line items in net income if the amount being reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in its entirety to net income. ASU 2013-02 allows an entity to provide information about the effects on net income of significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income on the face of the statement where net income is presented or as a separate disclosure in the notes to the financial statements. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 did not have a material impact on the Company’s unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 12 for the disclosures required by ASU 2013-02.

Newly Issued Accounting Standards

In July 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 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 (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 amended existing income tax guidance and is intended to reduce the diversity in practice by providing guidance on the presentation of unrecognized tax benefits and will better reflect the manner in which an entity would settle at the reporting date any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position when net operating loss carryforwards, similar tax losses or tax credit carryforwards exist. ASU 2013-11 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2014. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the adoption of ASU 2013-11 on its financial statements.