GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes made to goodwill by reportable segment
Gross goodwill at the beginning of the period	$ 401,301
Adjustment to preliminary allocation of purchase price for acquisition	1,084
Foreign currency translation adjustment	3,984
Gross goodwill at the end of the period	406,369
Accumulated impairment losses at the end of the period	(187,693)	(187,693)
Net goodwill at the end of the period	218,676	213,608
Chlorovinyls
Changes made to goodwill by reportable segment
Gross goodwill at the beginning of the period	242,855
Foreign currency translation adjustment	3,984
Gross goodwill at the end of the period	246,839
Accumulated impairment losses at the end of the period	(55,487)	(55,487)
Net goodwill at the end of the period	191,352	187,368
Building Products
Changes made to goodwill by reportable segment
Gross goodwill at the beginning of the period	158,446
Adjustment to preliminary allocation of purchase price for acquisition	1,084
Gross goodwill at the end of the period	159,530
Accumulated impairment losses at the end of the period	(132,206)	(132,206)
Net goodwill at the end of the period	$ 27,324	$ 26,240

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date, which is the cumulative amount paid and (if applicable) the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, adjusted for any amortization recognized prior to the adoption of any changes in generally accepted accounting principles (as applicable) and for any impairment charges, in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired in one or more business combination transactions.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 142

-Paragraph 45

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 141R

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