Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated site remediation liabilities		$ 20,481,000	$ 12,359,000
Potential revision on future environmental remediation costs before tax		16,000,000
Exit of phosphorous flame retardants business	8,700,000	8,700,000
Bergheim, Germany Site
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated site remediation liabilities		8,000,000
Period of post-closure monitoring		30 years thereafter
Pledged land and housing facilities		$ 5,700,000