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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation

Basis of Consolidation and Presentation - LSB Industries, Inc. (“LSB”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”, “We”, “Us”, or “Our”) are consolidated in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. We are primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of geothermal and water source heat pumps and air handling products (the “Climate Control Business”) and the manufacture and sale of chemical products (the “Chemical Business”). LSB is a holding company with no significant operations or assets other than cash, cash equivalents, and investments in its subsidiaries. Entities that are 20% to 50% owned and for which we have significant influence are accounted for on the equity method. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2012 and for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 include all adjustments and accruals, consisting of normal, recurring accrual adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. These interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year due, in part, to the seasonality of our sales of agricultural products and the timing of performing our major plant maintenance activities. Our selling seasons for agricultural products are primarily during the spring and fall planting seasons, which typically extend from March through June and from September through November.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted in this Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in connection with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2011 Form 10-K.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates - The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income per Common Share

Income per Common Share - Net income applicable to common stock is computed by adjusting net income by the amount of preferred stock dividends and dividend requirements, if applicable. Basic income per common share is based upon net income applicable to common stock and the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted income per share is based on net income applicable to common stock plus preferred stock dividends and dividend requirements on preferred stock assumed to be converted, if dilutive, and interest expense including amortization of debt issuance cost, net of income taxes, on convertible debt assumed to be converted, if dilutive, and the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding, and the assumed conversion of dilutive convertible securities outstanding.

Short-Term Investments

Short-Term Investments - Investments, which consisted of certificates of deposit with an original maturity of 13 weeks, are considered short-term investments. These investments are carried at cost which approximates fair value. All of these investments were held by financial institutions within the U.S. and none of these investments were in excess of the federally insured limits.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable - Our accounts receivable are stated at net realizable value. This value includes an appropriate allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts to reflect any loss anticipated on accounts receivable balances. Our estimate is based on historical experience and periodic assessment of outstanding accounts receivable, particularly those accounts which are past due (based upon the terms of the sale). Our periodic assessment of our accounts receivable is based on our best estimate of amounts that are not recoverable.

Inventories

Inventories - Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis) or market (net realizable value). Finished goods and work-in-process inventories include material, labor, and manufacturing overhead costs. Additionally, we review inventories and record inventory reserves for slow-moving inventory items.

Precious Metals

Precious Metals - Precious metals are used as a catalyst in the Chemical Business manufacturing process. Precious metals are carried at cost, with cost being determined using the FIFO basis. Because some of the catalyst consumed in the production process cannot be readily recovered and the amount and timing of recoveries are not predictable, we follow the practice of expensing precious metals as they are consumed. Occasionally, during major maintenance or capital projects, we may be able to perform procedures to recover precious metals (previously expensed) which have accumulated over time within the manufacturing equipment. Recoveries of precious metals are recognized at historical FIFO costs. When we accumulate precious metals in excess of our production requirements, we may sell a portion of the excess metals.

Product Warranty

Product Warranty - Our Climate Control Business sells equipment that has an expected life, under normal circumstances and use, which extends over several years. As such, we provide warranties after equipment shipment/start up covering defects in materials and workmanship.

Our accounting policy and methodology for warranty arrangements is to measure and recognize the expense and liability for such warranty obligations at the time of sale using a percentage of sales and cost per unit of equipment, based upon our historical and estimated future warranty costs. We also recognize the additional warranty expense and liability to cover atypical costs associated with a specific product, or component thereof, or project installation, when such costs are probable and reasonably estimable. It is reasonably possible that our estimated accrued warranty costs could change in the near term.

Contingencies

Contingencies - Certain conditions may exist which may result in a loss, but which will only be resolved when future events occur. We and our legal counsel assess such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a loss has been incurred, we would accrue for such contingent losses when such losses can be reasonably estimated. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable but reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, would be disclosed. Estimates of potential legal fees and other directly related costs associated with contingencies are not accrued but rather are expensed as incurred. Loss contingency liabilities are included in current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities and are based on current estimates that may be revised in the near term. In addition, we recognize contingent gains when such gains are realized or realizable and earned.

Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits

Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits - Derivatives are recognized in the balance sheet and are measured at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivatives are recorded in results of operations unless the normal purchase or sale exceptions apply or hedge accounting is elected.

Climate reserve tonnes (“carbon credits”) are recognized in the balance sheet and are measured at fair value. Changes in fair value of carbon credits are recorded in results of operations. Contractual obligations associated with carbon credits are recognized in the balance sheet and are measured at fair value unless we enter into a firm sales commitment to sell the associated carbon credits. When we enter into a firm sales commitment, the sales price, pursuant to the terms of the firm sales commitment, establishes the amount of the associated contractual obligation. Changes in fair value of contractual obligations associated with carbon credits are recorded in results of operations.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes - We do not recognize a tax benefit unless we conclude that it is more-likely-than-not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, we recognize a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that, in our judgment, is greater than 50% likely to be realized. We also record interest related to unrecognized tax positions in interest expense and penalties in operating other expense.

Income tax benefits associated with amounts that are deductible for income tax purposes but that do not affect earnings are credited to equity. These benefits are principally generated from exercises of non-qualified stock options.

Recognition of Insurance Recoveries

Recognition of Insurance Recoveries - If an insurance claim relates to a recovery of our losses, we recognize the recovery when it is probable and reasonably estimable. If our insurance claim relates to a contingent gain, we recognize the recovery when it is realized or realizable and earned. Amounts recoverable from our insurance carriers, if any, are included in accounts receivable.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements - In 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update (“ASU”) clarifying how to measure and disclose fair value. The requirements under this ASU became effective for us on January 1, 2012 and were applied prospectively. See Note 9 - Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits.

In 2011, the FASB issued ASUs amending comprehensive income guidance, which eliminate the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders’ equity. Instead, we must report comprehensive income, if any, in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. The requirements under these ASUs became effective for us on January 1, 2012; however, because we did not have any items of other comprehensive income to report for the periods presented, the adoption of these ASUs did not impact the accompanying condensed financial statements.

In 2011, the FASB issued an ASU requiring additional disclosures about an entity’s offsetting (netting) of certain assets and liabilities for the purpose of improving the transparency of financial reporting. Entities are required to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the balance sheet and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The new disclosure requirements become effective for us on January 1, 2013. The disclosure requirements are to be applied retrospectively.