CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net sales	$ 26,848	$ 24,039	$ 52,629	$ 45,492
Cost of sales	18,235	16,429	36,267	31,862
Gross margin	8,613	7,610	16,362	13,630
Selling, general and administrative expense	4,701	4,667	9,162	9,253
Other operating income (expense):
Insurance recoveries	411	946	1,198	1,576
Other income		14	131	14
Corporate expense and other, net	(9,008)	(16,325)	(13,278)	(21,242)
Loss from operations	(4,685)	(12,422)	(4,749)	(15,275)
Equity in earnings (loss) of Kronos Worldwide, Inc.	10,069	(10,303)	14,412	(22,790)
Other income (expense):
Interest and dividends	297	741	1,022	1,484
Interest expense		(58)		(117)
Income (loss) before income taxes	5,681	(22,042)	10,685	(36,698)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(125)	(8,024)	845	(20,682)
Net income (loss)	5,806	(14,018)	9,840	(16,016)
Noncontrolling interest in net income of subsidiary	334	237	613	357
Net income (loss) attributable to NL stockholders	$ 5,472	$ (14,255)	$ 9,227	$ (16,373)
Amounts attributable to NL stockholders:
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share	$ 0.11	$ (0.29)	$ 0.19	$ (0.34)
Cash dividend per share		$ 0.125		$ 0.250
Weighted average shares used in the calculation of net income (loss) per share	48,678	48,671	48,676	48,670