Operating Segments and Geographic Area Information - Goodwill and Identifiable Assets by Reportable Segments (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets:	$ 5,223,103		$ 3,584,797	$ 3,437,291
Goodwill	243,262		284,203	276,966
Performance Chemicals
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets:	1,042,177		1,129,838	1,110,006
Goodwill	42,282		43,603	43,519
Catalyst Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets:	1,375,202		1,695,120	1,572,883
Goodwill	200,980		240,600	233,447
Corporate & other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets:	$ 2,805,724	[1]	$ 759,839	$ 754,402

[1] As of December 31, 2014, Corporate & other included net proceeds received from the issuance of the 2014 Senior Notes, which, together with borrowings from our Commercial Paper Notes, Term Loan and Cash Bridge Facility, were used to finance the cash portion of the Merger Consideration, pay related fees and expenses and repay our senior notes which matured on February 1, 2015. See Note 13, “Long-Term Debt” and Note 23 “Acquisitions” for additional details about these transactions.