Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended														12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 Electronic Materials [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Electronic Materials [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Performance Coatings [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Performance Coatings [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Color and Glass Performance Materials [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Color and Glass Performance Materials [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Polymer Additives [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Polymer Additives [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Polymer Additives [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Specialty Plastics [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Specialty Plastics [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Specialty Plastics [Member]	Dec. 31, 2009 Pharmaceuticals [Member]	Dec. 31, 2011 Pharmaceuticals [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Pharmaceuticals [Member]
Details and activity of goodwill by segment
Gross goodwill, Beginning balance	$ 391,955	$ 393,283	$ 152,595	$ 151,975	$ 46,000	$ 41,984	$ 62,509	$ 68,473	$ 73,447	$ 73,447	$ 73,447	$ 16,973	$ 16,973	$ 16,973		$ 40,431	$ 40,431
Accumulated impairment losses, Beginning balance	(172,239)	(172,239)	0	0	(41,388)	(41,388)	0	0	(73,447)	(73,447)	(73,447)	(16,973)	(16,973)	(16,973)		(40,431)	(40,431)
Balance at beginning of year	219,716	221,044	152,595	151,975	4,612	596	62,509	68,473	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0
Acquisitions		4,038				4,038
Dispositions		(4,237)						(4,237)
Impairment loss	(3,881)				(3,881)										(8,200)
Other adjustments	(48)	(219)	(2)	(17)			(46)	(202)
Currency translation adjustments	(186)	(910)	357	637	(159)	(22)	(384)	(1,525)
Gross goodwill, Ending balance	391,721	391,955	152,950	152,595	45,841	46,000	62,079	62,509	73,447	73,447	73,447	16,973	16,973	16,973	40,431	40,431	40,431
Accumulated impairment losses	(176,120)	(172,239)	0	0	(45,269)	(41,388)	0	0	(73,447)	(73,447)	(73,447)	(16,973)	(16,973)	(16,973)	(40,431)	(40,431)	(40,431)
Balance at end of year	$ 215,601	$ 219,716	$ 152,950	$ 152,595	$ 572	$ 4,612	$ 62,079	$ 62,509	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0