Reporting for Segments - Each Segment's Gross Profit and Reconciliation to Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes from Continuing Operations (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Other cost of sales	$ (2,398)	$ (7,356)	$ (4,916)	$ (8,740)
Total gross profit	84,247	60,710	251,138	232,249
Selling, general and administrative expenses	59,078	63,863	184,986	202,675
Restructuring and impairment charges	3,834	198,695	26,738	203,734
Other expense, net	7,817	8,325	15,386	23,204
Income (loss) before income taxes	13,518	(210,173)	24,028	(197,364)
Pigments, Powders and Oxides [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total segment gross profit	8,390	7,231	25,882	28,363
Performance Colors and Glass [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total segment gross profit	28,713	21,086	87,203	77,220
Performance Coatings [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total segment gross profit	36,410	23,858	100,237	85,328
Polymer Additives [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total segment gross profit	6,251	8,907	20,616	26,871
Specialty Plastics [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total segment gross profit	$ 6,881	$ 6,984	$ 22,116	$ 23,207

Other operating and non operating income (expense).

No definition available.

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- Definition

The amount charged against earnings during an accounting period for incurred and estimated restructuring cost and for impairment loss of long lived assets, including goodwill.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Other costs incurred during the reporting period related to other revenue generating activities.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Details

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- Definition

The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 4

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section 30

-Paragraph 8

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6386349&loc=d3e3636-108311

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