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DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Olin Corporation is a Virginia corporation, incorporated in 1892.  We are a manufacturer concentrated in three business segments:  Chlor Alkali Products, Chemical Distribution and Winchester.  Chlor Alkali Products, with nine U.S. manufacturing facilities and one Canadian manufacturing facility, produces chlorine and caustic soda, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen, bleach products and potassium hydroxide.  Chemical Distribution, with twenty-six owned and leased terminal facilities, manufactures bleach products and distributes caustic soda, bleach products, potassium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid. Winchester, with its principal manufacturing facilities in East Alton, IL and Oxford, MS, produces and distributes sporting ammunition, law enforcement ammunition, reloading components, small caliber military ammunition and components and industrial cartridges.

On August 22, 2012, we acquired 100% of privately-held KA Steel, whose operating results are included in the accompanying financial statements since the date of the acquisition. For segment reporting purposes, KA Steel comprises the Chemical Distribution segment. KA Steel is one of the largest distributors of caustic soda in North America and manufactures and sells bleach in the Midwest.

On February 28, 2011, we acquired PolyOne’s 50% interest in the SunBelt Chlor Alkali Partnership, which we refer to as SunBelt.  The SunBelt chlor alkali plant, which is located within our McIntosh, AL facility, has approximately 350,000 tons of membrane technology capacity.  Previously, we had a 50% ownership interest in SunBelt, which was accounted for using the equity method of accounting.  Accordingly, prior to the acquisition, we included only our share of SunBelt results in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates.  Since the date of acquisition, SunBelt’s results are no longer included in earnings of non-consolidated affiliates but are consolidated in our accompanying financial statements.