CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands	Total	Common stock [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive loss [Member]	Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 425,992	$ 6,082	$ 300,067	$ 113,555	$ (4,724)	$ 11,012
Net income	57,839			57,029		810
Other comprehensive income (loss), net	(73,811)				(73,946)	135
Issuance of NL common stock	75	1	74
Dividends	(18,863)			(18,250)		(613)
Other, net	96		86			10
Balance at Sep. 30, 2012	$ 391,328	$ 6,083	$ 300,227	$ 152,334	$ (78,670)	$ 11,354