Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Continuing Operations
Net sales	$ 235.8	$ 217.8
Cost of sales	170.7	160.1
Gross profit	65.1	57.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses	43.6	39.1
Operating profit	21.5	18.6
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(2.7)	(2.7)
Other, net	(2.1)	(0.4)
Total other income (expense), net	(4.8)	(3.1)
Income before income taxes and income (loss) from affiliates and joint ventures	16.7	15.5
Income tax expense	4.8	4.3
Income before income (loss) from affiliates and joint ventures	11.9	11.2
Income (loss) from affiliates and joint ventures	1.2	1.1
Income (loss) from continuing operations	13.1	12.3
Discontinued Operations
Income (loss) on discontinued operations	(0.2)	(0.1)
Net income (loss)	12.9	12.2
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0.1
Net income (loss) attributable to AMCOL shareholders	12.8	12.2
Weighted average common shares outstanding	32.0	31.5
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding	32.3	32.0
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations	$ 0.41	$ 0.39
Discontinued operations	$ (0.01)
Net income	$ 0.40	$ 0.39
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Continuing operations	$ 0.41	$ 0.38
Discontinued operations	$ (0.01)
Net income	$ 0.40	$ 0.38
Amounts attributable to AMCOL shareholders
Income from continuing operations, net of tax	13.0	12.3
Discontinued operations, net of tax	(0.2)	(0.1)
Net income	$ 12.8	$ 12.2
Dividends declared per share	$ 0.18	$ 0.18