Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Feb. 28, 2014
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Capitalized interest costs on property and equipment	$ 2.9	$ 1.6	$ 1.7
Earnings of foreign subsidiaries subject to permanent reinvestment plan	659.0
Percentage of likelihood for recognition of uncertain tax positions	50.00%
Recognition of receivables for recoveries	0	0
Advertising costs	1	2	1
Research, development and certain sales technical support costs	19	18	19
Chemicals
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Shipping and handling costs	95	93	89
Minimum
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Percentage of investment required to report under equity method investment	20.00%
Contran
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Controlling interest in subsidiary	93.00%
Common stock, voting rights	The voting agreement expires in February 2017 (unless Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly and Ms. Annette Simmons otherwise unanimously agree), and the ability of Ms. Lisa Simmons, Ms. Connelly, and Ms. Annette Simmons to each designate one member of the Contran board is dependent upon each of their continued beneficial ownership of at least 5% of the combined voting stock of Contran.
Voting agreement expiration date	2017-02
Size of board of directors	5
Net cash payments received from/paid to tax group parent	$ 19.3	$ 6.5	$ 6.0
Contran | Minimum
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Minimum percentage of voting stock ownership required to designate a board member				5.00%