Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 11,652	$ 15,461
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	3,337	7,413
Marketable securities		9
Accounts and other receivables, net	14,946	29,834
Receivable from affiliates	214	1,829
Inventories, net	19,578	18,424
Prepaid expenses and other	1,364	1,285
Deferred income taxes	7,213	7,724
Total current assets	58,304	81,979
Other assets:
Marketable securities	311,419	130,824
Investment in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.	281,257	231,693
Goodwill	47,553	44,819
Assets held for sale	6,649	2,415
Other assets, net	4,258	1,447
Total other assets	651,136	411,198
Property and equipment:
Land	11,639	12,963
Buildings	27,301	34,981
Equipment	129,685	129,260
Construction in progress	1,477	965
Property and equipment, gross	170,102	178,169
Less accumulated depreciation	118,300	117,621
Net property and equipment	51,802	60,548
Total assets	761,242	553,725
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current maturities of long-term debt	10,000	10,000
Accounts payable	8,184	9,179
Accrued and other current liabilities	13,974	15,523
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	7,301	8,206
Payable to affiliates	20	1,417
Income taxes	1,327	909
Total current liabilities	40,806	45,234
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt	27,285	64,530
Accrued pension costs	16,743	8,550
Accrued postretirement benefits (OPEB) costs	4,373	5,459
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	34,336	32,194
Deferred income taxes	192,492	115,206
Other	19,215	18,697
Total non-current liabilities	294,444	244,636
NL stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value; 5,000 shares authorized; none issued
Common stock, $.125 par value; 150,000 shares authorized; 48,631 and 48,663 shares issued and outstanding	6,082	6,078
Additional paid-in capital	300,067	299,469
Retained earnings	113,555	56,229
Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss):
Marketable securities	186,451	68,147
Currency translation	(133,041)	(127,032)
Total NL stockholders' equity	414,980	252,949
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	11,012	10,906
Total equity	425,992	263,855
Total liabilities and equity	761,242	553,725
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 15 and 19)
Pension Plans [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss):
Benefit plan	(59,478)	(51,534)
Postretirement Benefit (OPEB) Plan [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income(loss):
Benefit plan	$ 1,344	$ 1,592