CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 52,609	$ 77,987
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	3,343	5,354
Accounts and other receivables, net	10,517	12,049
Receivable from affiliates	115
Inventories, net	13,235	11,223
Prepaid expenses and other	809	1,769
Deferred income taxes	3,786	4,271
Total current assets	84,414	112,653
Other assets:
Marketable securities	252,677	179,662
Investment in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.	284,523	323,128
Goodwill	27,156	27,156
Other assets, net	2,707	3,854
Deferred income taxes	19
Total other assets	567,082	533,800
Property and equipment:
Land	5,138	5,138
Buildings	20,793	20,791
Equipment	58,195	59,010
Construction in progress	2,588	1,442
Property and equipment, gross	86,714	86,381
Less accumulated depreciation	52,385	52,052
Net property and equipment	34,329	34,329
Total assets	685,825	680,782
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	1,000
Accounts payable	3,006	5,363
Accrued and other current liabilities	11,150	12,221
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	4,859	5,667
Payable to affiliates	49	528
Income taxes	6	6
Total current liabilities	19,070	24,785
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt	0	17,480
Accrued pension costs	5,453	13,747
Accrued postretirement benefits (OPEB) costs	3,268	3,861
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	108,777	42,339
Deferred income taxes	161,933	171,915
Other	18,329	18,572
Total noncurrent liabilities	297,760	267,914
NL stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, no par value; 5,000 shares authorized; none issued
Common stock, $.125 par value; 150,000 shares authorized; 48,669 and 48,674 shares issued and outstanding	6,084	6,083
Additional paid-in capital	300,223	300,227
Retained earnings	84,089	163,758
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(35,016)	(95,253)
Total NL stockholders’ equity	355,380	374,815
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	13,615	13,268
Total equity	368,995	388,083
Total liabilities and equity	685,825	680,782
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 14 and 18)