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Business Segment Information - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Jun. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2015
Chemicals | Employee Severance |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Restructuring charges | $ 21.1 | $ 21.5
Kronos Worldwide, Inc. |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Direct controlling interest in subsidiary |  | 50.00%
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary |  | 30.00%
NL |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total controlling interest |  | 83.00%
LandWell |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Direct controlling interest in subsidiary |  | 27.00%
Indirect controlling interest in subsidiary |  | 50.00%
BMI |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Total controlling interest |  | 63.00%

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