Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011 T		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009		Sep. 22, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Initial investment of joint venture		$ 3.2		$ 0		$ 0
Armand Products Company [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interests	50.00%	50.00%
Purchases by Company		19.6		13.8		9.9
Sales by Company		0		0		0
Outstanding Accounts Receivable	0.3	0.3		0.3		0
Outstanding Accounts Payable	2.3	2.3		0.9		2.3
Administration & Management Oversight Services		1.7	[1]	1.7	[1]	1.7	[1]
ArmaKleen Company [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interests	50.00%	50.00%
Purchases by Company		0		0		0
Sales by Company		5.5		5.5		4.9
Outstanding Accounts Receivable	0.7	0.7		0.5		0.5
Outstanding Accounts Payable	0	0		0		0
Administration & Management Oversight Services		2.5	[1]	2.5	[1]	2.7	[1]
Natronx LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interests								33.30%
Purchases by Company		0		0		0
Sales by Company		0		0		0
Outstanding Accounts Receivable	0	0		0		0
Outstanding Accounts Payable	0	0		0		0
Administration & Management Oversight Services		0.7	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]
Expected future investment in JV	60	60
Expected annual trona sorbents production, tons per year		450,000
Initial investment of joint venture	3.2	3.0
Additional committed investment in joint venture	$ 17	$ 17

[1] Billed by Company and recorded as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses.