Restructuring and Other - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 6,508,000	[1]		$ 101,211,000	[1]
Write-offs of foreign currency translation adjustments of phosphorous flame retardants business				12,300,000
Workforce reduction charges				13,141,000	[2]
Exit of phosphorous flame retardants business			8,700,000	8,700,000
Charitable contribution				8,000,000
Charitable contribution, after income taxes				5,100,000
Phosphorous Flame Retardant Business Exit
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring charges				94,700,000
Restructuring charges, net of tax				73,600,000
Phosphorous flame retardants business, net asset write off				57,000,000
Write-offs of foreign currency translation adjustments of phosphorous flame retardants business				12,000,000
Workforce reduction charges				13,141,000
Exit of phosphorous flame retardants business				8,700,000
Other estimated exit costs of phosphorous flame retardants business				4,000,000
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	6,508,000			6,508,000
Settlement of Litigation
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Gain of settlement of litigation				8,100,000
Gain of settlement of litigation, after income taxes				5,100,000
Estimated reimbursement of related legal fees				$ 900,000

[1] The three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012 include a settlement charge of $6.5 million ($4.1 million after income taxes) associated with our SERP in connection with the retirement of our former CEO and executive chairman. The nine-month period ended September 30, 2012 also includes charges amounting to $94.7 million ($73.6 million after income taxes) in connection with our exit of the phosphorous flame retardants business.

[2] The nine months ended September 30, 2012 includes a charge of $13.1 million relating to reduction in force liabilities associated with our exit of the phosphorous flame retardants business noted above. The majority of the payments for this liability are expected to occur in 2012.