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Financial instruments and fair value measurements - Additional Information (Detail) |  |  |  |  | 3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2013 Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC [Member] USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2013 Kronos International, Inc. [Member] USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2012 Kronos International, Inc. [Member] USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] Canadian Dollar [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] Canadian Dollar [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] U S Dollar [Member] USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] U.S. Dollar [Member] Norwegian Kroner [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] U.S. Dollar [Member] Norwegian Kroner [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] Minimum [Member] | Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] U.S. Dollar [Member] Norwegian Kroner [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] Maximum [Member] | Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] Euro [Member] Norwegian Kroner [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] EUR (€) | Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] Euro [Member] Norwegian Kroner [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] Minimum [Member] | Mar. 31, 2013 Chemicals [Member] Euro [Member] Norwegian Kroner [Member] Forward Contracts [Member] Maximum [Member]
Financial Instrument At Fair Value [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notional amount currency forward contract |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 33,000,000 | $ 20,000,000 |  |  | € 18,000,000 |  |
Exchange floor rate |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.02 |  |  | 5.84 | 6.02 |  | 7.48 | 7.57
Maturity rate of derivative |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,000,000 |  | 5,000,000 |  |  | 2,000,000 |  |
Estimated fair value of currency forward contracts | (100,000) | 1,800,000 |  |  |  | 100,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts and other receivables |  |  |  |  |  | 100,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |  |  |  |  |  | 200,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Currency transaction gain |  |  |  |  |  | 100,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated market price of the notes |  |  |  | 1,016.3 | 1,017.5 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Principal amount of debt instrument |  |  |  | 1,000 | 1,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Redemption price of investment |  |  | $ 250,000,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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- Definition Aggregate notional amount specified by the derivative(s). Expressed as an absolute value. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Article 12 -Section 13 -Sentence Column B + Details
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- Definition This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents Available-for-sale Securities which consist of all investments in certain debt and equity securities neither classified as trading or held-to-maturity securities. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities which are categorized as Available-for-sale. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 320 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7534914&loc=d3e22054-111558 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 115 -Paragraph 12 -Subparagraph b -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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Available-for-Sale Securities -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6505594 + Details
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- Definition The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 55 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6584090&loc=d3e28878-108400 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 21 -Paragraph 16, 20 -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 Contractual rate at which a foreign currency can be purchased or sold. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents contracts related to the exchange of different currencies, including foreign currency options, forward (delivery or nondelivery) contracts, and swaps entered into and existing as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents contracts related to the exchange of different currencies, including foreign currency options, forward (delivery or nondelivery) contracts, and swaps entered into and existing as of the balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Aggregate impact of foreign currency derivatives on earnings for the period. Includes impact of foreign currency cash flow hedge ineffectiveness and the ineffectiveness of fair value hedging derivatives and full change in fair value of the foreign currency derivatives not designated as hedging instruments. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 25 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6886632&loc=d3e76258-113986 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4D -Subparagraph (a)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624177-113959 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 45 -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 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4C -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 815 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5618551-113959 + Details
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- Definition This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents notes payable as of the balance sheet date. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 20, 22 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 4 -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 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20,22) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
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- Definition Notional amount of currency the company is contractually obligated to exchange per month. + References No definition available. + Details
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