CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 77,987	$ 11,652
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	5,354	3,337
Accounts and other receivables, net	12,049	14,946
Receivable from affiliates		214
Inventories, net	11,223	19,578
Prepaid expenses and other	1,769	1,364
Deferred income taxes	4,271	7,213
Total current assets	112,653	58,304
Other assets:
Marketable securities	179,662	311,419
Investment in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.	323,128	281,257
Goodwill	27,156	47,553
Assets held for sale	1,965	6,649
Other assets, net	1,889	4,258
Total other assets	533,800	651,136
Property and equipment:
Land	5,138	11,639
Buildings	20,791	27,301
Equipment	59,010	129,685
Construction in progress	1,442	1,477
Property and equipment, gross	86,381	170,102
Less accumulated depreciation	52,052	118,300
Net property and equipment	34,329	51,802
Total assets	680,782	761,242
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	1,000	10,000
Accounts payable	5,363	8,184
Accrued and other current liabilities	12,221	13,974
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	5,667	7,301
Payable to affiliates	528	20
Income taxes	6	1,327
Total current liabilities	25,126	40,806
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt	17,480	27,285
Accrued pension costs	13,747	16,743
Accrued postretirement benefits (OPEB) costs	3,861	4,373
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	42,339	34,336
Deferred income taxes	171,915	192,492
Other	18,572	19,215
Total noncurrent liabilities	267,914	294,444
NL stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, no par value; 5,000 shares authorized; none issued
Common stock, $.125 par value; 150,000 shares authorized; 48,663 and 48,669 shares issued and outstanding	6,083	6,082
Additional paid-in capital	300,227	300,067
Retained earnings	163,758	113,555
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(95,253)	(4,724)
Total NL stockholders' equity	374,815	414,980
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	13,268	11,012
Total equity	388,083	425,992
Total liabilities and equity	680,782	761,242
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 15 and 19)