CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 52,573	$ 52,609
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	3,244	3,343
Accounts and other receivables, net	13,134	10,632
Inventories, net	15,131	13,235
Prepaid expenses and other	696	809
Deferred income taxes	3,787	3,786
Total current assets	88,565	84,414
Other assets:
Marketable securities	126,770	252,677
Investment in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.	280,130	284,523
Goodwill	27,156	27,156
Other assets, net	2,867	2,707
Deferred income taxes	19	19
Total other assets	436,942	567,082
Property and equipment:
Land	5,138	5,138
Buildings	20,793	20,793
Equipment	60,384	58,195
Construction in progress	1,140	2,588
Property and equipment, gross	87,455	86,714
Less accumulated depreciation	53,262	52,385
Net property and equipment	34,193	34,329
Total assets	559,700	685,825
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	5,285	3,006
Accrued and other current liabilities	8,798	11,199
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	4,838	4,859
Income taxes	14	6
Total current liabilities	18,935	19,070
Noncurrent liabilities:
Accrued pension costs	5,005	5,453
Accrued postretirement benefit (OPEB) costs	3,143	3,268
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	108,389	108,777
Deferred income taxes	117,036	161,933
Other	18,310	18,329
Total noncurrent liabilities	251,883	297,760
NL stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	6,084	6,084
Additional paid-in capital	300,223	300,223
Retained earnings	87,844	84,089
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(119,081)	(35,016)
Total NL stockholders’ equity	275,070	355,380
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	13,812	13,615
Total equity	288,882	368,995
Total liabilities and equity	559,700	685,825
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 12 and 13)