CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 72,503	$ 52,609
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	3,880	3,343
Accounts and other receivables, net	12,310	10,632
Inventories, net	15,082	13,235
Prepaid expenses and other	794	809
Deferred income taxes	3,786	3,786
Total current assets	108,355	84,414
Other assets:
Marketable securities	93,855	252,677
Investment in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.	274,132	284,523
Goodwill	27,156	27,156
Other assets, net	3,137	2,707
Deferred income taxes	19	19
Total other assets	398,299	567,082
Property and equipment:
Land	5,138	5,138
Buildings	21,176	20,793
Equipment	61,834	58,195
Construction in progress	594	2,588
Property and equipment, gross	88,742	86,714
Less accumulated depreciation	55,049	52,385
Net property and equipment	33,693	34,329
Total assets	540,347	685,825
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	5,978	3,006
Accrued and other current liabilities	13,535	11,199
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	12,681	4,859
Income taxes	15	6
Total current liabilities	32,209	19,070
Noncurrent liabilities:
Accrued pension cost	3,954	5,453
Accrued postretirement benefits (OPEB) costs	2,986	3,268
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	104,289	108,777
Deferred income taxes	100,984	161,933
Other	18,295	18,329
Total noncurrent liabilities	230,508	297,760
NL stockholders' equity:
Common stock	6,085	6,084
Additional paid-in capital	300,388	300,223
Retained earnings	107,205	84,089
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(150,331)	(35,016)
Total NL stockholders' equity	263,347	355,380
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	14,283	13,615
Total equity	277,630	368,995
Total liabilities and equity	540,347	685,825
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 12 and 13)