Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details)	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Revenue by segment
Percentage of revenue by segment (in hundredths)	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Performance materials [Member]
Revenue by segment
Percentage of revenue by segment (in hundredths)	50.00%	51.00%	50.00%
Construction technologies [Member]
Revenue by segment
Percentage of revenue by segment (in hundredths)	23.00%	27.00%	27.00%
Energy services [Member]
Revenue by segment
Percentage of revenue by segment (in hundredths)	26.00%	21.00%	19.00%
Transportation [Member]
Revenue by segment
Percentage of revenue by segment (in hundredths)	4.00%	6.00%	6.00%
Intersegment sales [Member]
Revenue by segment
Percentage of revenue by segment (in hundredths)	(3.00%)	(5.00%)	(2.00%)