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Financial Information by Segment - Schedule of Performance Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Mar. 31, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2015 | Mar. 31, 2016 | Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Net sales | $ 568 | $ 694 | $ 1,171 | $ 1,506
Operating Segments [Member] |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Net sales | 550 | 674 | 1,118 | 1,455
Performance Chemicals [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Net sales | 216 | 237 | 423 | 466
Performance Chemicals [Member] | Specialty Carbons and Formulations [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Net sales | 145 | 162 | 285 | 319
Performance Chemicals [Member] | Metal Oxides [Member] | Operating Segments [Member] |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Net sales | $ 71 | $ 75 | $ 138 | $ 147

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