CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 72,560	$ 52,609
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	3,995	3,343
Accounts and other receivables, net	9,256	10,517
Receivable from affiliates		115
Inventories, net	16,863	13,235
Prepaid expenses and other	792	809
Deferred income taxes	4,567	3,786
Total current assets	108,033	84,414
Other assets:
Marketable securities	92,131	252,677
Investment in Kronos Worldwide, Inc.	237,719	284,523
Goodwill	27,156	27,156
Other assets, net	2,143	2,707
Deferred income taxes	20	19
Total other assets	359,169	567,082
Property and equipment:
Land	5,138	5,138
Buildings	21,176	20,793
Equipment	62,264	58,195
Construction in progress	909	2,588
Property and equipment, gross	89,487	86,714
Less accumulated depreciation	55,931	52,385
Net property and equipment	33,556	34,329
Total assets	500,758	685,825
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	6,115	3,006
Accrued and other current liabilities	10,862	11,150
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	6,984	4,859
Payable to affiliates	659	49
Income taxes	7	6
Total current liabilities	24,627	19,070
Noncurrent liabilities:
Accrued pension cost	12,242	5,453
Accrued postretirement benefits (OPEB) costs	3,341	3,268
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	103,031	108,777
Deferred income taxes	87,725	161,933
Other	18,342	18,329
Total noncurrent liabilities	224,681	297,760
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	6,085	6,084
Additional paid-in capital	300,388	300,223
Retained earnings	112,588	84,089
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(182,039)	(35,016)
Total NL stockholders' equity	237,022	355,380
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary	14,428	13,615
Total equity	251,450	368,995
Total liabilities and equity	500,758	685,825
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 14 and 18)