Other Intangibles (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	$ 237,491		$ 229,624
Acquisitions	1,500	[1]	1,400	[2]
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business	(44,137)	[3]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	3,270		6,467
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	198,124		237,491		229,624
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(107,210)		(94,860)
Amortization	(10,723)		(13,149)		(13,100)
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business accumulated amortization	16,753	[3]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(2,480)		799
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(103,660)		(107,210)		(94,860)
Net Book Value	94,464		130,281
Customer Lists and Relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	100,078		100,509
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business	(16,189)	[3]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	1,278		(431)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	85,167		100,078
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(30,281)		(27,050)
Amortization	(4,499)		(4,780)
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business accumulated amortization	4,134	[3]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(838)		1,549
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(31,484)		(30,281)
Net Book Value	53,683		69,797
Trade Names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	45,399	[4]	44,800	[4]
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business	(19,441)	[3],[4]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	985	[4]	599	[4]
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	26,943	[4]	45,399	[4]
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(12,220)	[4]	(10,497)	[4]
Amortization	(1,307)	[4]	(1,658)	[4]
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business accumulated amortization	5,791	[3],[4]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(750)	[4]	(65)	[4]
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(8,486)	[4]	(12,220)	[4]
Net Book Value	18,457	[4]	33,179	[4]
Patents and Technology
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	45,973		44,592
Acquisitions	1,500	[1]	1,400	[2]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	403		(19)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	47,876		45,973
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(35,212)		(30,539)
Amortization	(3,176)		(4,982)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(390)		309
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(38,778)		(35,212)
Net Book Value	9,098		10,761
Land Use Rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	8,098		7,318
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business	(1,915)	[3]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	20		780
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	6,203		8,098
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(1,118)		(484)
Amortization	(183)		(176)
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business accumulated amortization	236	[3]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(14)		(458)
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(1,079)		(1,118)
Net Book Value	5,124		6,980
Manufacturing Contracts and Supply/Service Agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	13,782		12,087
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business	(5,470)	[3]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	211		1,695
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	8,523		13,782
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(11,113)		(10,467)
Amortization	(658)		(551)
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business accumulated amortization	5,470	[3]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(211)		(95)
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(6,512)		(11,113)
Net Book Value	2,011		2,669
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	24,161		20,318
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business	(1,122)	[3]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	373		3,843
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	23,412		24,161
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(17,266)		(15,823)
Amortization	(900)		(1,002)
Exit of phosphorus flame retardants business accumulated amortization	1,122	[3]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(277)		(441)
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(17,321)		(17,266)
Net Book Value	$ 6,091		$ 6,895

[1] The increase of $1.5 million in Patents and Technology relates to our acquisition of certain patents in 2012 related to catalysts useful in the production of fuel products from renewable feedstocks.

[2] The increase of $1.4 million in Patents and Technology relates to our acquisition of Catilin, Inc. in 2011 as discussed in Note 22 "Acquisitions."

[3] In 2012 we reduced intangible assets by $44.1 million and related accumulated amortization by $16.8 million in connection with our exit of the phosphorus flame retardants business. See Note 19 "Special Items."

[4] Trade names include a gross carrying amount of $10.3 million for an indefinite-lived intangible asset.