Component of Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2012
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Write-offs of foreign currency translation adjustments of phosphorous flame retardants business			$ 12,300,000
Restructuring and other charges	6,508,000	[1]	101,211,000	[1]
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 6,508,000		$ 6,508,000

[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.