SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Sales by Product Line
Total net sales	$ 867,713	$ 831,711	$ 1,727,642	$ 1,619,648
Chlorovinyls
Sales by Product Line
Total net sales	339,861	323,663	669,374	649,983
Chlorovinyls | Electrovinyl products
Sales by Product Line
Total net sales	217,302	209,794	424,860	428,563
Chlorovinyls | Compound products
Sales by Product Line
Total net sales	122,559	113,869	244,514	221,420
Aromatics
Sales by Product Line
Total net sales	275,479	233,892	618,656	538,005
Aromatics | Cumene products
Sales by Product Line
Total net sales	181,699	138,064	433,457	318,810
Aromatics | Phenol/acetone products
Sales by Product Line
Total net sales	93,780	95,828	185,199	219,195
Building Products
Sales by Product Line
Total net sales	252,373	274,156	439,612	431,660
Building Products | Window & Door Profiles and Moulding products
Sales by Product Line
Total net sales	90,985	95,635	157,782	160,808
Building Products | Outdoor Building products
Sales by Product Line
Total net sales	$ 161,388	$ 178,521	$ 281,830	$ 270,852