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Business segment information - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2012 | Mar. 31, 2011 | Sep. 30, 2012 | Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Direct controlling interest in subsidiary | 50.00% |  | 50.00% |
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary | 30.00% |  | 30.00% |
Proceeds from patent litigation settlement |  | $ 7.5 |  | $ 7.5
Impairment charge for assets held for sale | 0.4 |  | 0.4 | 1.1
Reversal of accrued contingent consideration | 0.8 |  | 0.8 |
NL Industries Inc [Member] |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Total controlling interest | 83.00% |  | 83.00% |
Proceeds from patent litigation settlement |  | $ 7.5 |  |

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- Definition Percentage of voting equity interests acquired in the business combination. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7659399&loc=d3e1392-128463 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141R -Paragraph 68 -Subparagraph c -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition This element represents the amount of any change, including any differences arising upon settlement, recognized during the reporting period in the value of a liability, arising from an item of contingent consideration, assumed in a business combination. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7488404&loc=d3e7008-128479 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 141R -Paragraph 72 -Subparagraph b -Clause 1 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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- Definition The loss recognized for any initial write-down from carrying value to fair value less cost to sell for a classified as held for sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 144 -Paragraph 33, 47 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760 + Details
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- Definition Proceeds from legal settlement related to patent claims. + References No definition available. + Details
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