LSB Industries (LXU) 10-Q 6 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Entity Registrant Name	'LSB INDUSTRIES INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000060714	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	22,519,503

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$139,653	$98,020
Restricted cash	31	31
Accounts receivable, net	83,499	82,801
Inventories:	'	'
Finished goods	28,748	36,851
Work in progress	3,449	3,576
Raw materials	26,196	24,546
Total inventories	58,393	64,973
Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Prepaid insurance	1,686	10,049
Precious metals	15,833	13,528
Supplies	13,086	9,855
Prepaid income taxes	8,881	'
Other	3,240	2,266
Total supplies, prepaid items and other	42,726	35,698
Deferred income taxes	3,293	3,224
Total current assets	327,595	284,747
Property, plant and equipment, net	386,451	281,871
Other assets:	'	'
Noncurrent restricted cash	110,015	'
Noncurrent restricted investments	169,988	'
Debt issuance costs, net	8,131	876
Other, net	11,825	9,118
Total other assets	299,959	9,994
Total assets	1,014,005	576,612
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	65,695	68,333
Short-term financing	903	9,254
Accrued and other liabilities	36,148	34,698
Deferred gain on insurance recoveries	25,417	'
Current portion of long-term debt	12,167	4,798
Total current liabilities	140,330	117,083
Long-term debt	455,366	67,643
Noncurrent accrued and other liabilities	16,774	16,369
Deferred income taxes	27,259	21,020
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, $.10 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized, 26,831,055 shares issued (26,731,360 at December 31, 2012)	2,683	2,673
Capital in excess of par value	167,456	165,006
Retained earnings	229,511	212,192
Stockholders equity including treasury stock	402,650	382,871
Less treasury stock, at cost:	'	'
Common stock, 4,320,462 shares	28,374	28,374
Total stockholders' equity	374,276	354,497
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' equity	1,014,005	576,612
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, value	2,000	2,000
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, value	$1,000	$1,000

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Common stock, par value	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	26,831,055	26,731,360
Treasury stock, common shares	4,320,462	4,320,462
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	20,000	20,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	20,000	20,000
Convertible preferred stock dividend rate	12.00%	12.00%
Series B cumulative, convertible preferred stock, par value	$100	$100
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	1,000,000	1,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	1,000,000	1,000,000
Convertible preferred stock dividend rate	6.00%	6.00%
Series D cumulative, convertible Class C preferred stock, par value	$0	$0

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$177,350	$182,374	$530,252	$581,894
Cost of sales	128,441	149,187	417,262	438,528
Gross profit	48,909	33,187	112,990	143,366
Selling, general and administrative expense	25,069	21,711	74,685	65,988
Provisions for (recoveries of) losses on accounts receivable	-84	-308	182	-185
Other expense	951	384	4,707	1,106
Other income	-170	-489	-1,715	-837
Operating income	23,143	11,889	35,131	77,294
Interest expense, net	5,395	1,489	6,662	3,800
Loss on extinguishment of debt	1,296	'	1,296	'
Non-operating other expense (income), net	-34	2	-10	-270
Income from continuing operations before provisions for income taxes and equity in earnings of affiliate	16,486	10,398	27,183	73,764
Provisions for income taxes	6,345	3,857	9,967	27,110
Equity in earnings of affiliate	-109	-169	-452	-510
Income from continuing operations	10,250	6,710	17,668	47,164
Net loss (income) from discontinued operations	-10	2	49	120
Net income	10,260	6,708	17,619	47,044
Dividends on preferred stocks	'	'	300	300
Net income applicable to common stock	$10,260	$6,708	$17,319	$46,744
Weighted-average common shares:	'	'	'	'
Basic	22,477,974	22,373,731	22,446,557	22,346,112
Diluted	23,597,285	23,551,738	23,586,575	23,528,196
Basic:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$0.46	$0.30	$0.78	$2.10
Net loss from discontinued operations	'	'	($0.01)	($0.01)
Net income	$0.46	$0.30	$0.77	$2.09
Diluted:	'	'	'	'
Income from continuing operations	$0.43	$0.28	$0.76	$2.01
Net loss from discontinued operations	'	'	($0.01)	($0.01)
Net income	$0.43	$0.28	$0.75	$2

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock Shares [Member]	Non-Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]	Capital in Excess of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock-Common [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$354,497	$2,673	$3,000	$165,006	$212,192	($28,374)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	26,731	26,731	'	'	'	'
Net income	17,619	'	'	'	17,619	'
Dividends paid on preferred stocks	-300	'	'	'	-300	'
Stock-based compensation	1,184	'	'	1,184	'	'
Exercise of stock options	865	10	'	855	'	'
Exercise of stock options, shares	100	100	'	'	'	'
Excess income tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation	411	'	'	411	'	'
Balance at Sep. 30, 2013	$374,276	$2,683	$3,000	$167,456	$229,511	($28,374)
Balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2013	26,831	26,831	'	'	'	'

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Cash flows from continuing operating activities	'	'
Net income	$17,619	$47,044
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by continuing operating activities:	'	'
Net loss from discontinued operations	49	120
Deferred income taxes	6,170	1,793
Depreciation, depletion and amortization of property, plant and equipment	20,062	14,857
Other	5,008	2,910
Cash provided (used) by changes in assets and liabilities (net of effects of discontinued operations):	'	'
Accounts receivable	-317	-7,501
Inventories	5,446	-6,422
Prepaid and accrued income taxes	-9,459	5,309
Other supplies, prepaid items and other	2,839	4,638
Accounts payable	-7,141	3,588
Customer deposits	-3,693	7,735
Other current and noncurrent liabilities	6,695	-691
Deferred gain on insurance recoveries	2,000	'
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities	45,278	73,380
Cash flows from continuing investing activities	'	'
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	-113,727	-61,613
Acquisition of working interests in natural gas properties	-9,205	'
Proceeds from property insurance recoveries associated with property, plant and equipment	23,671	'
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment	1,439	213
Proceeds from short-term investments	'	20,037
Purchase of short-term investments	'	-10,032
Deposits of current and noncurrent restricted cash	-110,015	-23
Purchase of noncurrent restricted investments	-169,988	'
Payments on contractual obligations-carbon credits	'	-180
Other assets	-818	-398
Net cash used by continuing investing activities	-378,643	-51,996
Cash flows from continuing financing activities	'	'
Proceeds from senior secured notes, net of pay off of secured term loan and fees	350,957	'
Proceeds from other long-term debt, net of fees	39,825	'
Payments on other long-term debt	-6,657	-5,830
Payments of debt issuance costs	-1,607	-88
Payments on short-term financing	-8,351	-5,077
Proceeds from revolving debt facility	'	209,238
Payments on revolving debt facility	'	-209,238
Payments on loans secured by cash value of life insurance policies	'	-1,918
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	865	543
Excess income tax benefit associated with stock-based compensation	411	353
Acquisition of redeemable preferred stock	'	-39
Dividends paid on preferred stocks	-300	-300
Net cash provided (used) by continuing financing activities	375,143	-12,356
Cash flows of discontinued operations:	'	'
Operating cash flows	-145	-184
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	41,633	8,844
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	98,020	124,929
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	139,653	133,773
Supplemental cash flow information:	'	'
Cash payments for income taxes, net of refunds	12,865	19,596
Noncash investing and financing activities:	'	'
Insurance claims receivable associated with property, plant and equipment	250	11,415
Other assets, accounts payable and long-term debt associated with additions of property, plant and equipment	19,488	9,379
Long-term debt associated with additions of capitalized internal-use software and software development (included in other assets)	2,775	'
Secured term loan extinguished	66,563	'
Debt issuance costs incurred associated with senior secured notes	6,498	'
Debt issuance costs written off associated with secured term loan	630	'
Prepayment premium incurred associated with secured term loan	$666	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	For a complete discussion of our significant accounting policies, refer to the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (“2012 Form 10-K”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 28, 2013.
	Basis of Consolidation and Presentation—LSB Industries, Inc. (“LSB”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”, “We”, “Us”, or “Our”) are consolidated in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. We are involved in manufacturing and marketing operations. We are primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of chemical products (the “Chemical Business”) and the manufacture and sale of geothermal and water source heat pumps and air handling products (the “Climate Control Business”). LSB is a holding company with no significant operations or assets other than cash, cash equivalents, and investments in its subsidiaries. Our Chemical Business’ ownership of working interests in natural gas properties is accounted for as an undivided interest, whereby we reflect our proportionate share of the underlying assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Entities that are 20% to 50% owned and for which we have significant influence are accounted for on the equity method. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2013 and for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 include all adjustments and accruals, consisting of normal, recurring accrual adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. These interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year due, in part, to the seasonality of our sales of agricultural products, certain downtime events associated with our chemical facilities, and the timing of performing our major plant maintenance activities. Our selling seasons for agricultural products are primarily during the spring and fall planting seasons, which typically extend from March through June and from September through November.
	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted in this Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in connection with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2012 Form 10-K.
	Reclassifications—Reclassifications have been made in our condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 to conform to our condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013, which reclassifications combined various current asset line items and combined various noncurrent other asset line items. These reclassifications did not impact the total amount of current assets or noncurrent other assets at December 31, 2012. In addition, reclassifications have been made in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to conform to our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, which reclassifications combined various operating activities line items. These reclassifications did not impact the total amount of net cash provided by continuing operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.
	Use of Estimates—The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents—Investments, which consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, are considered cash equivalents. At September, 30, 2013, the cash and cash equivalents balance exceeded the FDIC-insured limits by approximately $40 million. All of these cash balances were held by financial institutions within the U.S.
	Precious Metals—Precious metals are used as a catalyst in the Chemical Business manufacturing process. Precious metals are carried at cost, with cost being determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. Because some of the catalyst consumed in the production process cannot be readily recovered and the amount and timing of recoveries are not predictable, we follow the practice of expensing precious metals as they are consumed. Occasionally, during major maintenance or capital projects, we may be able to perform procedures to recover precious metals (previously expensed) which have accumulated over time within the manufacturing equipment. Recoveries of precious metals are recognized at historical FIFO costs. When we accumulate precious metals in excess of our production requirements, we may sell a portion of the excess metals.
	Capitalized Interest—Interest cost on borrowings incurred during a significant construction or development project is capitalized primarily in property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”). Capitalized interest is added to the underlying asset and amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
	Noncurrent Restricted Cash—Noncurrent restricted cash consists of cash and cash equivalent balances that are designated by us for specific purposes relating to capital projects. All of these cash balances were held by financial institutions within the U.S.
	Noncurrent Restricted Investments—Noncurrent restricted investments consist of investment balances that are designated by us for specific purposes relating to capital projects. At September 30, 2013, the balance includes investments of $130 million of U.S. Treasury bills with an original maturity of 13 weeks and $40 million of certificates of deposits with an original maturity no longer than approximately 26 weeks. The investments in these U.S. Treasury bills are classified as held-to-maturity and are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The investments in certificates of deposits are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The investments in certificates of deposits exceeded the FDIC-insured limits by approximately $40 million. All of these investments were held by financial institutions within the U.S.
	Debt Issuance Costs—Debt issuance costs are amortized over the term of the associated debt instrument. In general, if debt is extinguished prior to maturity, the associated debt issuance costs, if any, are written off and included in the gain or loss on extinguishment of debt.
	Recognition of Insurance Recoveries—If an insurance claim relates to a recovery of our losses, we recognize the recovery when it is probable and reasonably estimable. If our insurance claim relates to a contingent gain, we recognize the recovery when it is realized or realizable and earned. Amounts recoverable from our insurance carriers, if any, are included in accounts receivable.

Income_Per_Common_Share

Income Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Income Per Common Share	'
	Note 2: Income Per Common Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share:
	(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
		Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	17,619		$	47,044		$	10,260	$	6,708
	Dividends on Series B Preferred		(240	)		(240	)		—		—
	Dividends on Series D Preferred		(60	)		(60	)		—		—
	Total dividends on preferred stocks		(300	)		(300	)		—		—
	Numerator for basic net income per common share—net income applicable to common stock		17,319			46,744			10,260		6,708
	Dividends on preferred stocks assumed to be converted, if dilutive		300			300			—		—
	Numerator for diluted net income per common share	$	17,619		$	47,044		$	10,260	$	6,708
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic net income per common share—weighted-average shares		22,446,557			22,346,112			22,477,974		22,373,731
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Convertible preferred stocks		916,666			917,119			916,666		916,666
	Stock options		223,352			264,965			202,645		261,341
	Dilutive potential common shares		1,140,018			1,182,084			1,119,311		1,178,007
	Denominator for diluted net income per common share—adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		23,586,575			23,528,196			23,597,285		23,551,738
	Basic net income per common share	$	0.77		$	2.09		$	0.46	$	0.3
	Diluted net income per common share	$	0.75		$	2		$	0.43	$	0.28
	The following weighted-average shares of securities were not included in the computation of diluted net income per common share as their effect would have been antidilutive:
		Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Stock options		249,000			254,000			243,000		254,000

Change_in_Accounting_Estimate

Change in Accounting Estimate	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]	'
Change in Accounting Estimate	'
	Note 3: Change in Accounting Estimate
	As discussed in Note 13- Property and Business Interruption Insurance Claims and Recoveries, we have filed certain business interruption claims with our insurance carriers. For financial reporting purposes, management is required to make estimates and assumptions relating to our business interruption insurance claims and associated recoveries. These estimates and assumptions include determining the amount of extra expenses that have been incurred during the business interruption period and that are at least probable of approval by our insurance carriers for an insurance recovery. Based primarily on negotiations with our insurance carriers concerning our insurance claims, during the three months ended September 30, 2013, we changed our estimates and recognized a business interruption insurance recovery of approximately $2.6 million as a reduction of cost of sales associated with a change in accounting estimate. For three months ended September 30, 2013, the effect of this change in accounting estimate increased net income by $1.6 million (basic and diluted net income per share by $.07).

Accounts_Receivable_net

Accounts Receivable, net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable, net	'
	Note 4: Accounts Receivable, net
	Our accounts receivables, net, consists of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In Thousands)
	Trade receivables	$	80,411		$	72,505
	Insurance claims		2,602			10,059
	Other		1,031			873
			84,044			83,437
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(545	)		(636	)
		$	83,499		$	82,801
	One of our subsidiaries, El Dorado Chemical Company (“EDC”), is party to an agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (the “Bank”) to sell our accounts receivables generated from product sales to a certain customer. We agreed to enter into this agreement as a courtesy to this customer. The term of this agreement matures in August 2014, with renewal options, but either party has an option to terminate the agreement pursuant to the terms of the agreement. In addition, we amended our sales agreement with the customer to offer extended payment terms under the condition that they pay an extended payment terms premium equal to the discount taken by the Bank when the accounts receivables are sold. Thus, there is no gain or loss from the sale of these receivables to the Bank. We have no continuing involvement or risks associated with the transferred accounts receivable. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, EDC is to receive payment from the Bank no later than one business day after the Bank’s acceptance of EDC’s offer to sell the accounts receivables. As of September 30, 2013, EDC has been paid by the Bank for the accounts receivables sold to the Bank. We account for these transfers as sales under ASC 860 – Transfers and Servicing.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Note 5: Inventories
	At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, inventory reserves for certain slow-moving inventory items (Climate Control products) were $1,577,000 and $1,818,000, respectively. In addition, because cost exceeded the net realizable value, inventory reserves for certain nitrogen-based inventories provided by our Chemical Business were $1,831,000 and $975,000 at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	Changes in our inventory reserves are as follows:
		Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
		(In Thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	2,793		$	1,783		$	2,509	$	1,737
	Provisions for losses		1,134			337			899		293
	Write-offs and disposals		(519	)		(93	)		—		(3	)
	Balance at end of period	$	3,408		$	2,027		$	3,408	$	2,027
	The provision for losses is included in cost of sales in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

Current_and_Noncurrent_Accrued

Current and Noncurrent Accrued and Other Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Current and Noncurrent Accrued and Other Liabilities	'
	Note 6: Current and Noncurrent Accrued and Other Liabilities
	Our current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities consist of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(In Thousands)
	Deferred revenue on extended warranty contracts	$	7,292	$	7,007
	Accrued warranty costs		7,212		6,172
	Accrued interest		6,150		569
	Accrued payroll and benefits		6,062		6,612
	Customer deposits		4,496		8,189
	Other		21,710		22,518
			52,922		51,067
	Less noncurrent portion		16,774		16,369
	Current portion of accrued and other liabilities	$	36,148	$	34,698

Accrued_Warranty_Costs

Accrued Warranty Costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Accrued Warranty Costs	'
	Note 7: Accrued Warranty Costs
	Our Climate Control Business sells equipment that has an expected life, under normal circumstances and use, that extends over several years. As such, we provide warranties after equipment shipment/start-up covering defects in materials and workmanship. Generally for commercial/institutional products, the base warranty coverage for most of the manufactured equipment in the Climate Control Business is limited to eighteen months from the date of shipment or twelve months from the date of start-up, whichever is shorter, and to ninety days for spare parts. For residential products, the base warranty coverage for manufactured equipment in the Climate Control Business is limited to ten years from the date of shipment for material and to five years from the date of shipment for labor associated with the repair. The warranty provides that most equipment is required to be returned to the factory or an authorized representative and the warranty is limited to the repair and replacement of the defective product, with a maximum warranty of the refund of the purchase price. Furthermore, companies within the Climate Control Business generally disclaim and exclude warranties related to merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose and disclaim and exclude any liability for consequential or incidental damages. In some cases, the customer may purchase or a specific product may be sold with an extended warranty. The above discussion is generally applicable to such extended warranties, but variations do occur depending upon specific contractual obligations, certain system components, and local laws.
	Changes in our product warranty obligation (accrued warranty costs) are as follows:
		Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In Thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	6,172		$	5,370		$	6,944		$	6,078
	Amounts charged to costs and expenses		5,860			5,062			1,849			1,718
	Costs incurred		(4,820	)		(4,356	)		(1,581	)		(1,720	)
	Balance at end of period	$	7,212		$	6,076		$	7,212		$	6,076

Asset_Retirement_Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Asset Retirement Obligations	'
	Note 8: Asset Retirement Obligations
	Currently, we have various requirements relating to the disposal of wastewater generated at certain of our Chemical Business facilities. Additionally, we have certain facilities in our Chemical Business that contain asbestos insulation around certain piping and heated surfaces, which we plan to maintain or replace, as needed, with non-asbestos insulation through our standard repair and maintenance activities to prevent deterioration. Currently, there is insufficient information to estimate the fair value for most of our asset retirement obligations (“ARO”). In addition, we currently have no plans to discontinue the use of these facilities, and the remaining life of the facilities is indeterminable. As a result, a liability for only a minimal amount relating to AROs associated with these facilities has been established. However, we will continue to review these obligations and record a liability when a reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made. In addition, our Chemical Business owns working interests in certain natural gas properties. We recognized AROs associated with the obligation to plug and abandon wells when the natural gas reserves in the wells are depleted. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our accrued liability for AROs was $187,000 and $154,000, respectively.

LongTerm_Debt

Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Long-Term Debt	'
	Note 9: Long-Term Debt
	Our long-term debt consists of the following:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
			(In Thousands)
	Working Capital Revolver Loan (A)		$	—		$	—
	Senior Secured Notes (B)			425,000			—
	Secured Promissory Note (C)			31,205			—
	Secured Term Loan (B)			—			68,438
	Other, with a current weighted-average interest rate of 4.75%, most of which is secured primarily by machinery, equipment and real estate			11,328			4,003
				467,533			72,441
	Less current portion of long-term debt			12,167			4,798
	Long-term debt due after one year		$	455,366		$	67,643
	(A) Our wholly-owned subsidiary, ThermaClime, L.L.C. (“ThermaClime”) and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Borrowers”), are parties to a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Working Capital Revolver Loan”). On July, 31, 2013, we entered into an amendment to the Working Capital Revolver Loan, which amends our existing senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Amended Working Capital Revolver”). The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan became effective concurrently with the closing of the issuance of Senior Secured Notes discussed in (B) below. Upon the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan becoming effective, the principal amount that ThermaClime and its subsidiaries may borrow on a revolving basis increased from up to $50.0 million to up to $100.0 million, based on specific percentages of eligible accounts receivable and inventories and permits the Senior Secured Notes and the guarantees to be secured on a first-priority basis by the Priority Collateral and on a second-priority basis by the certain collateral securing the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan and provides that the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan be secured on a second-priority basis by the Priority Collateral as discussed in (B) below. The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan will mature on April 13, 2018.
	The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan accrues interest at a base rate (generally equivalent to the prime rate) plus 0.50% if borrowing availability is greater than $25.0 million, otherwise plus 0.75% or, at our option, accrues interest at LIBOR plus 1.50% if borrowing availability is greater than $25.0 million, otherwise LIBOR plus 1.75%. At September 30, 2013, the interest rate was 3.75% based on LIBOR. Interest is paid monthly, if applicable.
	The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan provides for up to $15.0 million of letters of credit. All letters of credit outstanding reduce availability under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan. As of September 30, 2013, the amount available for borrowing under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan was approximately $63.3 million. Under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan, the lender also requires the Borrowers to pay a letter of credit fee equal to 1% per annum of the undrawn amount of all outstanding letters of credit, an unused line fee equal to .25% per annum for the excess amount available under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan not drawn and various other audit, appraisal and valuation charges.
	The lender has the ability to, upon an event of default, as defined, terminate the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan and make the balance outstanding, if any, due and payable in full. The terms of the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan provided that ThermaClime could prepay a term loan agreement (the “Secured Term Loan”) as discussed in (B) below.
	The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan requires ThermaClime to meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.10 to 1, if at any time the excess availability (as defined by the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan), under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan, is less than or equal to $12.5 million. This ratio will be measured monthly on a trailing twelve month basis and as defined in the agreement. The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan contains covenants that, among other things, limit the Borrowers’ (which does not include LSB) ability, without consent of the lender and with certain exceptions, to:
		•		incur additional indebtedness;
		•		create liens on, sell or otherwise dispose of our assets;
		•		engage in certain fundamental corporate changes or changes to our business activities;
		•		make certain material acquisitions;
		•		engage in sale-leaseback transactions;
		•		make other restricted payments, including, without limitation, investments;
		•		repay certain indebtedness;
		•		engage in certain affiliate transactions;
		•		declare dividends and distributions to LSB;
		•		engage in mergers, consolidations or other forms of recapitalization; or
		•		dispose assets.
	The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan allows the Borrowers and subsidiaries under the Senior Secured Notes to guarantee those notes. So long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, ThermaClime may make distributions and pay dividends to LSB in amounts necessary to permit LSB to make required payments of principal and payments of scheduled interest under the Senior Secured Notes, in each case not more than five business days prior to the date such payments are due and not in excess of the actual amounts due. The ability of ThermaClime and its wholly-owned subsidiaries to pay other dividends and to make other distributions to LSB or ThermaClime’s parent, Consolidated Industries Corp. (“Consolidated Industries”), is restricted by certain covenants contained in the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan, which prohibits ThermaClime from transferring other funds to LSB in the form of cash dividends or other distributions, except for the following (so long as no default or event of default has occurred, is continuing or would result therefrom):
		•		amounts not to exceed $7.5 million annually under a certain management agreement between LSB and ThermaClime, provided certain conditions are met;
		•		the repayment of costs and expenses incurred by LSB that are directly allocable to ThermaClime or its subsidiaries for LSB’s provision of services under a certain services agreement;
		•		the amount of income taxes that ThermaClime would be required to pay if they were not consolidated with LSB; and
		•		an amount not to exceed 50% of ThermaClime’s consolidated net income during each fiscal year determined in accordance with GAAP, plus income taxes paid to LSB during such fiscal year within the previous bullet above.
	So long as both immediately before and after giving effect to any of the following, excess availability as defined by the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan is equal to or greater than the greater of (x) 20% of the maximum revolver commitment or (y) $20 million, the Amended Working Capital Revolver will allow each of the Borrowers under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan to make:
		•		loans to, or other investments in, LSB in an aggregate amount exceeding $5.0 million at any time outstanding;
		•		distributions and pay dividends with respect to amounts in excess of $0.5 million during each fiscal year to Consolidated Industries or to LSB or to any subsidiary of Consolidated Industries that is not also a subsidiary of ThermaClime;
		•		investments in joint ventures in an aggregate amount not exceeding $35.0 million; and
		•		other investments in an aggregate amount not exceeding $50.0 million at any one time outstanding.
	The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan includes customary events of default, including events of default relating to nonpayment of principal and other amounts owing under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan from time to time, any material misstatement or misrepresentation and breaches of representations and warranties made, violations of covenants, cross-payment default to indebtedness in excess of $0.1 million, cross-acceleration to indebtedness in excess of $0.1 million, bankruptcy and insolvency events, certain unsatisfied judgments, certain liens, and certain assertions of, or actual invalidity of, certain loan documents.
	(B) On August 7, 2013, LSB sold $425 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Senior Secured Notes”) in a 144A transaction pursuant to the exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). The Senior Secured Notes are eligible for resale by the investors under Rule144A under the Act. LSB received net proceeds of approximately $351 million, after the payoff of the Secured Term Loan (discussed below), commissions and fees. In connection with the closing, LSB entered into an indenture (the “Indenture”) with UMB Bank, as trustee, governing the Senior Secured Notes and as collateral agent, and will receive customary compensation from us for such services.
	The Senior Secured Notes bear interest at the rate of 7.75% per year and mature on August 1, 2019. Interest is to be paid semiannually, beginning on February 1, 2014.
	The Senior Secured Notes are general senior secured obligations of LSB. The Senior Secured Notes are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by all of LSB’s current subsidiaries, with all of the guarantees, except two, being senior secured guarantees and two being senior unsecured guarantees. The Senior Secured Notes will rank equally in right of payment to all of LSB and the guarantors’ existing and future senior secured debt, including the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan discussed below, and will be senior in right of payment to all of LSB and the guarantors’ future subordinated indebtedness. LSB does not have independent assets or operations.
	Those subsidiaries that provided guarantees of the Senior Secured Notes will be released from such guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events, including the following:
		•		the designation of such guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary;
		•		the release or discharge of any guarantee or indebtedness that resulted in the creation of the guarantee of the Senior Secured Notes by such guarantor;
		•		the sale or other disposition, including by way of merger or otherwise, of its capital stock or of all or substantially all of the assets, of such guarantor; or
		•		LSB’s exercise of its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option as described in the Indenture with LSB’s obligations under the Indenture discharged in accordance with the Indenture.
	The Senior Secured Notes will be effectively senior to all existing and future unsecured debt of LSB and the guarantors to the extent of the value of the property and assets subject to liens (“Collateral”) and will be effectively senior to all existing and future obligations under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan and other debt to the extent of the value of the certain collateral (“Priority Collateral”).
	The Senior Secured Notes will be secured on a first-priority basis by the Priority Collateral owned by LSB and the guarantors (other than the two unsecured guarantors) and on a second-priority basis by the certain collateral securing the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan owned by LSB and the guarantors (other than the two unsecured guarantors), in each case subject to certain liens permitted under the Indenture. The Senior Secured Notes will be equal in priority as to the Priority Collateral owned by LSB and the guarantors with respect to any obligations under any equally ranked lien obligations subsequently incurred. At September 30, 2013, the carrying value of the assets secured on a first-priority basis was approximately $272 million and the carrying value of the assets secured on a second-priority basis was approximately $213 million.
	The Senior Secured Notes will be effectively subordinated to all of LSB and the guarantors’ existing and future obligations under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan and other debt to the extent of the value of the certain collateral securing such debt and to any of LSB and the guarantors’ existing and future indebtedness that is secured by liens that are not part of the Collateral. The Senior Secured Notes will be structurally subordinated to all of the existing and future indebtedness, preferred stock obligations and other liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Senior Secured Notes in the future.
	Except under certain conditions, the Senior Secured Notes are not redeemable before August 1, 2016. On or after such date, LSB may redeem the Senior Secured Notes at its option, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period commencing on August 1st of the year set forth below:
	Year		Percentage
	2016			103.875	%
	2017			101.938	%
	2018 and thereafter			100	%
	Upon the occurrence of a change of control, as defined in the Indenture, each holder of the Senior Secured Notes will have the right to require that LSB purchase all or a portion of such holder’s notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).
	The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit LSB’s ability, with certain exceptions and as defined in the Indenture, to:
		•		incur additional indebtedness;
		•		pay dividends;
		•		repurchase LSB’ common and preferred stocks;
		•		make investments;
		•		repay certain indebtedness;
	•		create liens on, sell or otherwise dispose of our assets;
	•		engage in mergers, consolidations or other forms of recapitalization;
	•		engage in sale-leaseback transactions; or
	•		engage in certain affiliate transactions.
As discussed above, approximately $67.2 million of the proceeds from Senior Secured Notes was used to pay all outstanding borrowings, including the prepayment premium, under the Secured Term Loan. As a result of the payoff of the Secured Term Loan, we incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million, consisting of the prepayment premium and writing off unamortized debt issuance costs.
In conjunction with the Senior Secured Notes, we entered into an amendment to the Working Capital Revolver Loan as discussed in (A) above.
In connection with the Senior Secured Notes, LSB entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we have agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement (“Registration Statement”) on an appropriate form with respect to a registered offer to exchange the notes for new notes with terms substantially identical in all material respects to the notes, cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act, and complete the exchange within 180 days after the effective date of such Registration Statement. We are also obligated to update the Registration Statement by filing a post-effective amendment. If the exchange offer is not completed on or prior to the expiration of 365 days from August 7, 2013 (the date of closing) and under certain other conditions, the annual interest rate on the notes will be increased by (i) 0.25% (or approximately $3,000 per day) for the first 90 day period immediately following such default and (ii) an additional 0.25% with respect to each subsequent 90 day period, in each case until and including the date such default ends, up to a maximum increase of 1.00% (or approximately $12,000 per day).
(C) On February 1, 2013, Zena Energy L.L.C. (“Zena”), a subsidiary within our Chemical Business, entered into a loan (the “Secured Promissory Note”) with a lender in the original principal amount of $35 million. The Secured Promissory Note follows the original acquisition by Zena of working interests (“Working Interests”) in certain natural gas properties during October 2012. The proceeds of the Secured Promissory Note effectively financed $35 million of the approximately $50 million purchase price of the Working Interests previously paid out of LSB’s working capital. The proceeds of the Secured Promissory Note are being used for general working capital purposes. The Secured Promissory Note matures on February 1, 2016. Principal and interest are payable monthly based on a five-year amortization at a defined LIBOR rate plus 300 basis points (but not below 3.00% per annum) with a final balloon payment of $15.3 million. The interest rate at September 30, 2013 was 3.26%. The loan is secured by the Working Interests and related properties and proceeds.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 10: Commitments and Contingencies
	Purchase and Sales Commitments—During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, amendments were made to the following significant purchase and sales commitments.
	Ammonium nitrate supply agreement—Pursuant to a long-term cost-plus supply agreement, EDC sells to a customer a significant annual volume of industrial grade ammonium nitrate (“AN”) produced at our chemical production facility located in El Dorado, Arkansas (the “El Dorado Facility”). In April 2013, this agreement was amended to update and correct the specification of AN solution to be manufactured by EDC. The amendment also modified the required notice of termination from two years to one year.
	Bayer Agreement—Subsidiaries within our Chemical Business, El Dorado Nitric Company and its subsidiaries (“EDN”) and EDC, are party to an agreement (the “Bayer Agreement”) with Bayer Material Science LLC (“Bayer”). EDN operates Bayer’s nitric acid plant (the “Baytown Facility”) located within Bayer’s chemical manufacturing complex. Under the terms of the Bayer Agreement, Bayer purchases from EDN all of Bayer’s requirements for nitric acid for use in Bayer’s chemical manufacturing complex located in Baytown, Texas that provides a pass-through of certain costs plus a profit. In addition, EDN is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Baytown Facility. If there is a change in control of EDN, Bayer has the right to terminate the Bayer Agreement upon payment of certain fees to EDN. In June 2013, the Bayer Agreement was amended, dated effective July 1, 2014, to extend the term of the agreement for an additional seven years, beginning July 1, 2014. The amendment also provides incentives to EDN for meeting certain safety, environmental, and reliability thresholds.
	Capital Project Commitments—During November 2012, EDC entered into an agreement with Weatherly Inc. for the licensing, engineering, and procurement of major manufacturing equipment for a new 65% strength nitric acid plant to be constructed at the El Dorado Facility. In addition, EDC plans to construct a separate nitric acid concentrator. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $120 million, of which $35.9 million has been incurred and capitalized at September 30, 2013.
	Using a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Secured Notes, we are proceeding with the design, engineering, and construction of an ammonia plant at the El Dorado Facility. During August 2013, a subsidiary of EDC entered into an agreement with SAIC Constructors, LLC to engineer and construct the ammonia plant and certain support facilities. The estimated construction cost for this project ranges from $250 million to $300 million, of which $29.8 million has been incurred and capitalized at September 30, 2013.
	Legal Matters—Following is a summary of certain legal matters involving the Company:
	A. Environmental Matters
	Our operations are subject to numerous environmental laws (“Environmental Laws”) and to other federal, state and local laws regarding health and safety matters (“Health Laws”). In particular, the manufacture, production and distribution of products by our Chemical Business are activities that entail environmental and safety risks and impose obligations under the Environmental Laws and the Health Laws, many of which provide for certain performance obligations, substantial fines and criminal sanctions for violations. There can be no assurance that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in complying with such laws or in paying fines or penalties for violation of such laws. The Environmental Laws and Health Laws and enforcement policies thereunder relating to our Chemical Business have in the past resulted, and could in the future result, in compliance expenses, cleanup costs, penalties or other liabilities relating to the handling, manufacture, use, emission, discharge or disposal of effluents at or from our facilities or the use or disposal of certain of its chemical products. Historically, significant expenditures have been incurred by subsidiaries within our Chemical Business in order to comply with the Environmental Laws and Health Laws and are reasonably expected to be incurred in the future. We will also be obligated to manage certain discharge water outlets and monitor groundwater contaminants at our Chemical Business facilities should we discontinue the operations of a facility. We do not operate the natural gas wells where we own a working interest and compliance with Environmental and Health Laws is controlled by others, with our Chemical Business being responsible for its proportionate share of the costs involved. As of September 30, 2013, our accrued liabilities for environmental matters totaled $1,150,000 relating primarily to matters discussed below. It is reasonably possible that a change in the estimate of our liability could occur in the near term. Also see discussion in Note 8 – Asset Retirement Obligations.
	1. Discharge Water Matters
	Each of our chemical manufacturing facilities generates process wastewater, which may include cooling tower and boiler water quality control streams, contact storm water (rain water inside the facility area that picks up contaminants) and miscellaneous spills and leaks from process equipment. The process water discharge, storm-water runoff and miscellaneous spills and leaks are governed by various permits generally issued by the respective state environmental agencies as authorized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), subject to oversight by the EPA. These permits limit the type and amount of effluents that can be discharged and controls the method of such discharge. The following are discharge water matters in relation to the respective permits.
	The El Dorado Facility is subject to a state National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) discharge water permit issued by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”). The El Dorado Facility is currently operating under an NPDES discharge water permit, which became effective in 2004 (“2004 NPDES permit”). In November 2010, a preliminary draft of a discharge water permit renewal for the El Dorado Facility, which contains more restrictive limits, was issued by the ADEQ.
	EDC believes that the El Dorado Facility has generally demonstrated its ability to comply with applicable ammonia and nitrate permit limits, but has, from time to time, had difficulty demonstrating consistent compliance with the more restrictive dissolved minerals permit levels. As part of the El Dorado Facility’s long-term compliance plan, EDC has pursued a rulemaking and permit modification with the ADEQ as to the discharge requirements relating to its dissolved minerals. The ADEQ approved a rule change, but the EPA formally disapproved the rule change. In October 2011, EDC filed a lawsuit against the EPA in the United States District Court, El Dorado, Arkansas, appealing the EPA’s decision disapproving the rule change. In March 2013, the District Court affirmed the EPA’s decision. EDC has appealed the District Court’s decision. We do not believe this matter regarding meeting the permit requirements as to the dissolved minerals will continue to be an issue now that the pipeline discussed below is operational.
	During 2012, EDC settled an Administrative Complaint issued by the EPA, and thereafter handled by the United States Department of Justice (“DOJ”), relating to certain alleged violations of EDC’s 2004 NPDES permit. Initially the Administrative Complaint sought a penalty of $124,000 for alleged violations through December 31, 2010, but was settled by EDC for $100,000 and the EPA/DOJ indicated that any alleged violations from and after January 1, 2011, would be addressed at a later date. Thereafter, the DOJ advised that some action would be taken for alleged violations occurring after December 31, 2010. As of the date of this report, no action has been filed by the DOJ. The cost (or range of costs) cannot currently be reasonably estimated regarding this matter. Therefore, no liability has been established at September 30, 2013.
	The City of El Dorado, Arkansas (the “City”) has constructed a pipeline for disposal of wastewater generated by the City and by certain companies in the El Dorado area. EDC and other companies in the El Dorado area entered into a funding agreement and operating agreement with the City, pursuant to which each party agreed to contribute to the cost of construction and the annual operating costs of the pipeline for the right to use the pipeline to dispose its wastewater. EDC has funded a portion of the construction of the pipeline that is owned by the City because it believes that it will enable EDC to comply with water discharge permit limits under current and foreseeable regulations. EDC’s share of the funding for the capital cost in connection with the construction of the pipeline was approximately $4.0 million, of which costs have been incurred and capitalized as of September 30, 2013. The City completed the construction of the pipeline during the third quarter of 2013, and EDC began utilizing the pipeline during September 2013. EDC is contractually obligated to pay a portion of the operating costs of the pipeline, which portion is estimated to be $100,000 to $150,000 annually. The initial term of the operating agreement is through December 2053.
	In addition, the El Dorado Facility is currently operating under a consent administrative order (“2006 CAO”) that recognizes the presence of nitrate contamination in the shallow groundwater. The 2006 CAO required EDC to continue semiannual groundwater monitoring, to continue operation of a groundwater recovery system and to submit a human health and ecological risk assessment to the ADEQ relating to the El Dorado Facility. The final remedy for shallow groundwater contamination, should any remediation be required, will be selected pursuant to a new consent administrative order and based upon the risk assessment. The cost of any additional remediation that may be required will be determined based on the results of the investigation and risk assessment, of which cost (or range of costs) cannot currently be reasonably estimated. Therefore, no liability has been established at September 30, 2013, in connection with this matter.
	2. Air Matters
	In connection with a national enforcement initiative, the EPA has sent information requests to most, if not all, of the operators of nitric acid plants in the United States, including our El Dorado Facility, our chemical production facility located in Cherokee, Alabama (the “Cherokee Facility”) and the Baytown Facility operated by our subsidiary, EDN, under Section 114 of the Clean Air Act as to construction and modification activities at each of these facilities over a period of years. These information requests were to enable the EPA to determine whether these facilities are in compliance with certain provisions of the Clean Air Act. If the EPA were successful in establishing that any of our chemical facilities were in violation of the Clean Air Act, the EPA could assess civil penalties of up to $27,500 per day and require the facility to retrofit with the “best available control technology.”
	During the second quarter of 2013, we negotiated an oral global agreement in principle with the EPA/DOJ to settle this matter, although a few issues are still being negotiated. Settlement of this matter is subject to the parties entering into definitive settlement agreements and consent decrees and such being finalized after the notice and comment period. The proposed oral agreement in principle provides, among other things, the following:
		•	all of our Chemical Business’ nitric acid plants are to achieve certain emission rates within a certain time period for each plant. In order to achieve these emission rates, six of our Chemical Business’ eight nitric acid plants will require additional pollution control technology equipment to achieve the emission rates agreed upon. We have already completed necessary modifications at two of our Chemical Business’ existing nitric acid plants. The cost of the necessary pollution control equipment is estimated to range from $2.0 million to $3.0 million for each of the remaining six nitric acid plants;
		•	our Chemical Business will provide a reforestation mitigation project that is unrelated to our emissions or activities and will not be located at one of our plant sites, which we estimate will cost approximately $150,000 and have included this amount in our accrued liabilities for environmental matters discussed above; and
		•	a civil penalty will be paid by our Chemical Business in the amount of $725,000 (which includes the $100,000 civil penalty to the ODEQ discussed below), which amount is included in our accrued liabilities for environmental matters discussed above.
	One of our subsidiaries, Pryor Chemical Company (“PCC”), within our Chemical Business, has been advised that the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (“ODEQ”) is conducting an investigation into whether the chemical production facility located in Pryor, Oklahoma (the “Pryor Facility”) was in compliance with certain rules and regulations of the ODEQ and whether PCC’s reports of certain air emissions relating primarily to 2011 were intentionally reported incorrectly to the ODEQ. Pursuant to the request of the ODEQ, PCC has submitted information and a report to the ODEQ as to the reports filed by the Pryor Facility relating to the air emissions in question and has and continues to cooperate with the ODEQ in connection with this investigation. However, on February 20, 2013, investigators with the ODEQ obtained documents from the Pryor Facility in connection with this investigation pursuant to a search warrant and interviewed several employees at the facility. As of September 30, 2013, we are not aware of any recommendations made or to be made by the ODEQ with respect to formal legal action to be taken or recommended as a result of this ongoing investigation.
	By letter dated April 19, 2013 (the “letter”), ODEQ, based on its inspection of our Pryor Facility conducted in December 2012, identified fourteen issues of alleged non-compliance and concern from the evaluation relating to federal and state air quality regulations, some of which were the subject of the ongoing investigation by ODEQ described above. ODEQ requested that PCC submit to ODEQ certain additional records regarding air emissions, calculations demonstrating compliance with certain air emissions, and a compliance plan providing for remedial measures for certain alleged noncompliance matters. ODEQ has advised PCC that compliance with such requests may allow PCC to avoid receipt of a notice of violation. PCC engaged in discussions with ODEQ to resolve all matters identified in the letter. Subsequently, a settlement was reached to resolve the allegations identified in the letter. Three of the violations were already resolved through the global settlement with the EPA/DOJ discussed above, and ODEQ agreed to resolve the remaining eleven violations by PCC paying a civil penalty for $100,000 (which amount is included in the $725,000 civil penalty discussed above) with the settlement being addressed as an addition to the global settlement discussed above. This settlement is unrelated to the pending ODEQ investigation at the Pryor Facility described above, which remains ongoing to our knowledge.
	3. Other Environmental Matters
	In 2002, two subsidiaries within our Chemical Business sold substantially all of their operating assets relating to a Kansas chemical facility (“Hallowell Facility”) but retained ownership of the real property. Even though we continued to own the real property, we did not assess our continuing involvement with our former Hallowell Facility to be significant and therefore accounted for the sale as discontinued operations. Our subsidiary retained the obligation to be responsible for, and perform the activities under, a previously executed consent order to investigate the surface and subsurface contamination at the real property and a corrective action strategy based on the investigation. In addition, certain of our subsidiaries agreed to indemnify the buyer of such assets for these environmental matters. Based on the assessment discussed above, we account for transactions associated with the Hallowell Facility as discontinued operations.
	The successor (“Chevron”) of a prior owner of the Hallowell Facility has agreed in writing, on a nonbinding basis and within certain other limitations, to pay and has been paying one-half of the costs of the interim measures relating to this matter as approved by the Kansas Department of Environmental Quality, subject to reallocation.
	Our subsidiary and Chevron are pursuing with the state of Kansas a course of long-term surface and groundwater monitoring to track the natural decline in contamination. Currently, our subsidiary and Chevron are in the process of performing additional surface and groundwater testing. We have accrued for our allocable portion of costs for the additional testing, monitoring and risk assessments that could be reasonably estimated.
	In addition during 2010, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (“KDHE”) notified our subsidiary and Chevron that the Hallowell Facility has been referred to the KDHE’s Natural Resources Trustee, who is to consider and recommend restoration, replacement and/or whether to seek compensation. KDHE will consider the recommendations in its evaluation. Currently, it is unknown what damages the KDHE would claim, if any. The ultimate required remediation, if any, is unknown.
	The nature and extent of a portion of the requirements are not currently defined, and the associated costs (or range of costs) are not currently reasonably estimable.
	Our allocable portion of the total estimated liability related to the Hallowell Facility has been established in connection with this matter and is included in our accrued liabilities for environmental matters discussed above. The estimated amount is not discounted to its present value.
	B. Other Pending, Threatened or Settled Litigation
	During April 2013, an explosion and fire occurred at the West Fertilizer Co. (“West Fertilizer”), located in West, Texas, causing death, bodily injury and substantial property damage. West Fertilizer is not owned or controlled by us, but West Fertilizer had been a customer of EDC, purchasing ammonium nitrate (“AN”) from EDC from time to time. LSB and EDC have received letters from counsel purporting to represent subrogated insurance carriers, personal injury claimants and persons who suffered property damages informing them that their clients are conducting investigations into the cause of the explosion and fire to determine, among other things, whether AN manufactured by EDC and supplied to West Fertilizer was stored at West Fertilizer at the time of the explosion and, if so, whether such AN may have been one of the contributing factors of the explosion. Other manufacturers of AN also supplied AN to West Fertilizer. The lawsuits that have been filed name West Fertilizer and another supplier of AN as defendants, but neither EDC nor LSB have been named in any of these suits. EDC does not believe that its product was in storage at West Fertilizer at the time of the explosion.
	EDC has retained a firm specializing in cause and origin investigations, with particular experience with fertilizer facilities, to assist EDC in its own investigation. LSB and EDC have placed its liability insurance carrier on notice of this matter, which policies have aggregate limits of general liability totaling $100 million, with a self-insured retention of $250,000. As of September 30, 2013, no liability has been established in connection with this matter, but we have incurred professional fees of $168,000 being applied against our self-insured retention amount.
	Other Claims and Legal Actions
	We are also involved in various other claims and legal actions including claims for damages resulting from water leaks related to our Climate Control products and other product liability occurrences. Most of the product liability claims are covered by our general liability insurance, which generally includes a deductible of $250,000 per claim. For any claims or legal actions that we have assessed the likelihood of our liability as probable, we have recognized our estimated liability up to the applicable deductible. At September 30, 2013, our accrued general liability insurance claims were $205,000 and are included in accrued and other liabilities. It is possible that the actual future development of claims could be different from our estimates but, after consultation with legal counsel, we believe that changes in our estimates will not have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Derivatives_Hedges_Financial_I

Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits	'
	Note 11: Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits
	We have two classes of contracts that are accounted for on a fair value basis, which are commodities futures/forward contracts (“commodities contracts”) and interest rate contracts as discussed below. All of these contracts are used as economic hedges for risk management purposes but are not designated as hedging instruments. In addition, as discussed below, we are issued climate reserve tonnes (“carbon credits”), of which a certain portion of the carbon credits are to be sold and the proceeds given to Bayer. The assets for carbon credits are accounted for on a fair value basis as discussed below. Also, the contractual obligations to give the related proceeds to Bayer are accounted for on a fair value basis (as discussed below) unless we enter into a firm sales commitment to sell the carbon credits. The valuations of these assets and liabilities were determined based on quoted market prices or, in instances where market quotes are not available, other valuation techniques or models used to estimate fair values.
	The valuations of contracts classified as Level 1 are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical contracts, when applicable. The valuations of contracts classified as Level 2 are based on quoted prices for similar contracts and valuation inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for these contracts. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the valuations of contracts classified as Level 2 related to interest rate swap contracts. For interest rate swap contracts, we utilize valuation software and market data from a third-party provider. These contracts are valued using a discounted cash flow model that calculates the present value of future cash flows pursuant to the terms of the contracts and using market information for forward interest-rate yield curves. At September 30, 2013, the valuation inputs included the contractual weighted-average pay rate of 3.23% and the estimated market weighted-average receive rate of 0.57%. No valuation input adjustments were considered necessary relating to nonperformance risk for the contracts.
	The valuations of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the valuations ($1.00 and $0.50 per carbon credit, respectively) of the carbon credits and the contractual obligations associated with these carbon credits are classified as Level 3 and are based on the range of ask/bid prices obtained from a broker adjusted downward due to minimal market volume activity. The valuations are using undiscounted cash flows based on management’s assumption that the carbon credits would be sold and the associated contractual obligations would be extinguished in the near term. In addition, no valuation input adjustments were considered necessary relating to nonperformance risk for the carbon credits and associated contractual obligations.
	Commodities Contracts
	Raw materials for use in our manufacturing processes include copper used by our Climate Control Business and anhydrous ammonia and natural gas used by our Chemical Business. As part of our raw material price risk management, we periodically enter into futures/forward contracts for these materials, which contracts may be required to be accounted for on a mark-to-market basis. At September 30, 2013, we did not have any futures/forward copper contracts requiring mark-to-market accounting. At December 31, 2012, our futures/forward copper contracts were for 625,000 pounds of copper through May 2013 at a weighted-average cost of $3.53 per pound. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we did not have any futures/forward natural gas contracts requiring mark-to-market accounting. The cash flows relating to these contracts are included in cash flows from continuing operating activities, when applicable.
	Interest Rate Contracts
	As part of our interest rate risk management, we periodically purchase and/or enter into various interest rate contracts. In February 2011, we entered into an interest rate swap at no cost, which sets a fixed three-month LIBOR rate of 3.23% on a declining balance (from $23.8 million to $18.8 million) for the period beginning in April 2012 through March 2016. This contract is a free-standing derivative and is accounted for on a mark-to-market basis. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, no cash flows occurred relating to the purchase or sale of interest rate contracts. The cash flows associated with the interest rate swap payments are included in cash flows from continuing operating activities.
	Carbon Credits and Associated Contractual Obligation
	Periodically, we are issued carbon credits by the Climate Action Reserve in relation to a greenhouse gas reduction project (“Project”) performed at the Baytown Facility. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement with Bayer, a certain portion of the carbon credits are to be used to recover the costs of the Project, and any balance thereafter to be allocated between Bayer and EDN. We have no obligation to reimburse Bayer for its costs associated with the Project, except through the transfer or sale of the carbon credits when such credits are issued to us. The carbon credits are accounted for on a fair value basis, and the contractual obligations associated with these carbon credits are also accounted for on a fair value basis (unless we enter into a firm sales commitment to sell the carbon credits). At September 30, 2013, we had approximately 625,000 carbon credits (a minimal amount at December 31, 2012), all of which were subject to contractual obligations. The cash flows associated with the carbon credits and the associated contractual obligations are included in cash flows from continuing investing activities, when applicable.
	The following details our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		Fair Value Measurements at
		September 30, 2013 Using
	Description	Total Fair			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			Total Fair
		Value At			in Active			Other			Unobservable			Value at
		September 30,			Markets for			Observable			Inputs			December 31,
		2013			Identical			Inputs			(Level 3)			2012
					Assets			(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
		(In Thousands)
	Assets—Supplies, prepaid items and other:
	Commodities contracts	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	79
	Carbon credits		625			—			—			625			91
	Total	$	625		$	—		$	—		$	625		$	170
	Liabilities—Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:
	Contractual obligations -carbon credits	$	625		$	—		$	—		$	625		$	91
	Interest rate contracts		1,374			—			1,374			—			1,874
	Total	$	1,999		$	—		$	1,374		$	625		$	1,965
	None of our assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 classifications for the periods presented below. In addition, the following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
		Assets						Liabilities						Assets					Liabilities
		Nine Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended					Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,						September 30,					September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013		2012			2013			2012
		(In Thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	91		$	42		$	(91	)	$	(42	)	$	625	$	42		$	(625	)	$	(42	)
	Transfers into Level 3		—			—			—			—			—		—			—			—
	Transfers out of Level 3		—			—			—			—			—		—			—			—
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings		546			248			(546	)		(248	)		—		248			—			(248	)
	Purchases		—			—			—			—			—		—			—			—
	Issuances		—			—			—			—			—		—			—			—
	Sales		(12	)		(66	)		—			—			—		(66	)		—			—
	Settlements		—			—			12			66			—		—			—			66
	Ending balance	$	625		$	224		$	(625	)	$	(224	)	$	625	$	224		$	(625	)	$	(224	)
	Realized and unrealized net gains (losses) included in earnings and the income statement classifications are as follows:
		Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In Thousands)
	Total net gains (losses) included in earnings:
	Cost of sales—Commodities contracts	$	(275	)	$	85		$	—		$	157
	Cost of sales—Foreign exchange contracts		—			(19	)		—			(11	)
	Other income—Carbon credits		546			248			—			248
	Other expense—Contractual obligations relating to carbon credits		(546	)		(248	)		—			(248	)
	Interest expense—Interest rate contracts		(1	)		(515	)		(90	)		(186	)
		$	(276	)	$	(449	)	$	(90	)	$	(40	)
		Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In Thousands)
	Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to contracts still held at period end:
	Cost of sales—Commodities contracts	$	—		$	85		$	—		$	171
	Other income—Carbon credits		534			184			—			184
	Other expense—Contractual obligations relating to carbon credits		(534	)		(184	)		—			(184	)
Interest expense—Interest rate contracts		500			206			75			(20	)
	$	500		$	291		$	75		$	151
At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, we did not have any financial instruments with fair values significantly different from their carrying amounts, except for the Senior Secured Notes. At September 30, 2013, the estimated fair value of the Senior Secured Notes exceeded the carrying value by approximately $17 million. The valuation is classified as Level 2 and is based on the range of ask/bid prices (103.5 to 104.5) for these notes but are currently traded in a limited and low volume market since these notes have not yet been registered. The valuations of our other long-term debt agreements are classified as Level 3 and are based on valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. The fair value measurement of our long-term debt agreements are valued using a discounted cash flow model that calculates the present value of future cash flows pursuant to the terms of the debt agreements and applies estimated current market interest rates. The estimated current market interest rates are based primarily on interest rates currently being offered on borrowings of similar amounts and terms. In addition, no valuation input adjustments were considered necessary relating to nonperformance risk for our debt agreements. The fair value of financial instruments is not indicative of the overall fair value of our assets and liabilities since financial instruments do not include all assets, including intangibles, and all liabilities.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 12: Income Taxes
	Provisions for income taxes are as follows:
		Nine Months Ended				Three Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(In Thousands)
	Current:
	Federal	$	3,000	$	21,405	$	2,216	$	3,964
	State		797		3,912		500		639
	Total Current		3,797		25,317		2,716		4,603
	Deferred:
	Federal		5,536		1,556		3,256		(664	)
	State		634		237		373		(82	)
	Total Deferred		6,170		1,793		3,629		(746	)
	Provisions for income taxes	$	9,967	$	27,110	$	6,345	$	3,857
	For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the current provisions for federal income taxes shown above includes regular federal income tax after the consideration of permanent and temporary differences between income for GAAP and tax purposes, including the benefit related to the retroactive tax relief for certain tax provisions that expired in 2012 as discussed below. For the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, the current provisions for state income taxes shown above includes regular state income tax and provisions for uncertain state income tax positions.
	Our annual estimated effective tax rate for 2013 includes the impact of permanent tax differences, such as the domestic manufacturer’s deduction, the advanced energy credit and other permanent items. In connection with the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 that was signed into law in January 2013, we recorded a one-time benefit of approximately $0.5 million related to the retroactive tax relief for certain tax provisions that expired in 2012. Because the legislation was signed into law after December 31, 2012, the retroactive effects of the law reduced the current provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and impacted the estimated effective tax rate for 2013.
	The tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $10.0 million (38% of pre-tax income, excluding the impact of the 2012 retroactive tax benefits) and $27.1 million (36% of pre-tax income), respectively.
	LSB and certain of its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the 2010-2012 years remain open for all purposes of examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and other major tax jurisdictions. We are under examination by the IRS for the tax years 2008-2010. As of September 30, 2013, the IRS has proposed certain adjustments, which we are protesting. We anticipate that the adjustments, if any, will not result in a material change to our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Property_and_Business_Interrup

Property and Business Interruption Insurance Claims and Recoveries	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Text Block [Abstract]	'
Property and Business Interruption Insurance Claims and Recoveries	'
	Note 13: Property and Business Interruption Insurance Claims and Recoveries
	El Dorado Facility
	On May 15, 2012, the El Dorado Facility suffered significant damage when a reactor in its 98% strength nitric acid plant (“DSN plant”) exploded. No employees or individuals in the surrounding area were seriously injured as a result of the explosion. In addition, several other plants and infrastructure within the El Dorado Facility sustained various degrees of damage. Our insurance policy provided for repair or replacement cost coverage relating to property damage with a $1.0 million deductible and provided for business interruption coverage for certain lost profits and extra expense with a 30-day waiting period. As a result of this event, a notice of insurance claims for property damage and business interruption was filed with the insurance carriers. The engineering firm representing our insurance carriers determined that the DSN plant was not destroyed by the explosion and was repairable. However, we have concluded that due to the extensive damage, the DSN plant should not be repaired but should be replaced with a new 65% strength nitric acid plant and a separate nitric acid concentrator.
	Based upon our assessment that it was probable that the amount of coverage for property damages would exceed our property loss deductible, the net book value of the damaged property and other recoverable costs incurred through September 30, 2013, we recorded an insurance claim receivable relating to this event, which offset the loss on disposal of the damaged property and certain repairs and clean-up costs incurred (“recoverable costs”).
	As of September 30, 2013, our insurance carriers approved and funded unallocated payments totaling $60 million. We received correspondence associated with the $40 million received in 2013, which stated that our insurance carriers are still investigating the circumstances surrounding this event (including the cause of this event, scope of our losses and support for our claim) under a reservation of rights. For financial reporting purposes, we allocated $48 million to our property insurance claim and $12 million to our business interruption claim primarily based on negotiations with our insurance carriers concerning our claims.
	The $48 million allocated to the property insurance claim was partially applied against the recoverable costs totaling $24.6 million. The insurance recovery in excess of the recoverable costs of $23.4 million was deferred (included in deferred gain on insurance recoveries at September 30, 2013) since it is considered a gain contingency. The deferred portion of this recovery, and any additional recoveries, will be recognized if, and when, realized or realizable and earned.
	The insurance recovery of $12 million allocated to the business interruption claim was applied against recoverable costs (primarily relating to additional expenses associated with purchased product sold to our customers while certain of our nitric and sulfuric acid plants were being repaired) totaling $12.7 million as a reduction to cost of sales ($7.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2012, $0.7 million during the first quarter of 2013, $0.5 million during the second quarter of 2013, and $4.2 million during the third quarter of 2013). The recoverable costs in excess of the insurance recovery of $0.7 million was included in accounts receivable at September 30, 2013 since this amount relates to recoverable costs, which we were able to conclude that it was at least probable (for financial reporting purposes) that these costs would be approved. See additional information regarding the conclusion of insurance claims relating to this event discussed under Note 17—Subsequent Events.
	Cherokee Facility
	On November 13, 2012, a pipe ruptured within our Cherokee Facility causing damage primarily to the heat exchanger portion of its ammonia plant. No serious injuries or environmental impact resulted from the pipe rupture. As a result of the damage, the Cherokee Facility could only produce, on a limited basis, nitric acid and AN solution from purchased ammonia until the repairs were completed. Our insurance policy provides, for the policy period covering this claim, for repair or replacement cost coverage relating to property damage with a $2.5 million deductible and provides for business interruption coverage for certain lost profits and extra expense with a 30-day waiting period. As a result of this event, a notice of insurance claims for property damage and business interruption was filed with the insurance carriers.
	Based upon our assessment that it was probable that the amount of coverage for property damages would exceed our property loss deductible, the net book value of the damaged property and other recoverable costs incurred, we recorded an insurance claim receivable relating to this event, which offset the loss on the disposal of the damaged property and other recoverable costs incurred.
	As of September 30, 2013, our insurance carriers approved and funded payments relating to our business interruption claim totaling $15 million. We received correspondence associated with the approval of these payments, which stated that our insurance carriers are still investigating the circumstances surrounding this event (including the cause of this event, scope of our losses and support for our claim) under a reservation of rights.
	The business interruption insurance recovery of $15 million was applied against recoverable costs (primarily relating to additional expenses associated with purchased product sold or used in products sold to our customers while our facility was being repaired) totaling $13 million as a reduction to cost of sales ($10.1 million during the first quarter of 2013 and $2.9 million during the second quarter of 2013). The insurance recovery in excess of recoverable costs of $2.0 million was deferred (included in deferred gain on insurance recoveries at September 30, 2013) since a portion of this amount relates to recoverable costs, which we were unable to conclude that it was at least probable (for financial reporting purposes) that these costs would be approved and a portion of this amount relates to lost profits, which is considered a gain contingency. The deferred portion of this recovery, and any additional recoveries, will be recognized if, and when, realized or realizable and earned.
	As of September 30, 2013, the balance of the insurance claim receivable, included in accounts receivable, relating to this event was $1.9 million, consisting of recoverable costs associated with our property insurance claim.
	It is possible that the actual future development of the insurance claims discussed above could be different from our current allocations and estimates.

Other_Expense_Other_Income_and

Other Expense, Other Income and Non-Operating Other Expense (Income), net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other Expense, Other Income and Non-Operating Other Expense (Income), net	'
	Note 14: Other Expense, Other Income and Non-Operating Other Expense (Income), net
			Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
						(In Thousands)
	Other expense:
	Dismantle and demolition expense (1)		$	2,364		$	—		$	264		$	—
	Miscellaneous penalties			806			—			10			—
	Losses on sales and disposals of property and equipment			677			667			677			116
	Realized and unrealized losses on contractual obligations associated with carbon credits			546			248			—			248
	Miscellaneous expense (2)			314			191			—			20
	Total other expense		$	4,707		$	1,106		$	951		$	384
	Other income:
	Realized and unrealized gains on carbon credits		$	546		$	248		$	—		$	248
	Settlements of litigation and potential litigation (3)			545			—			—			—
	Gains (losses) on sales and disposals of property and equipment			—			—			(179	)		—
	Miscellaneous income (2)			624			589			349			241
	Total other income		$	1,715		$	837		$	170		$	489
	Non-operating other expense (income), net:
	Interest income		$	(64	)	$	(70	)	$	(52	)	$	(22	)
	Miscellaneous income (2)			—			(263	)		—			—
	Miscellaneous expense (2)			54			63			18			24
	Total non-operating other expense (income), net		$	(10	)	$	(270	)	$	(34	)	$	2
	-1	Amount relates to the dismantling and demolition of certain plant and equipment at our chemical facilities.
	-2	Amounts represent numerous unrelated transactions, none of which are individually significant requiring separate disclosure.
	-3	Amount relates primarily to a settlement reached associated with a class action insurance brokerage antitrust litigation.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Note 15: Segment Information
			Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
						(In Thousands)
	Net sales:
	Chemical (1)		$	303,017		$	372,551		$	104,199		$	110,212
	Climate Control			217,490			198,286			69,863			67,982
	Other			9,745			11,057			3,288			4,180
			$	530,252		$	581,894		$	177,350		$	182,374
	Gross profit: (2)
	Chemical (1) (3)		$	39,116		$	78,789		$	24,610		$	11,291
	Climate Control			70,553			60,892			23,168			20,457
	Other			3,321			3,685			1,131			1,439
			$	112,990		$	143,366		$	48,909		$	33,187
	Operating income: (4)
	Chemical (1) (3)		$	20,259		$	67,023		$	17,680		$	7,529
	Climate Control			24,387			20,007			8,547			6,856
	General corporate expenses and other business operations, net (5)			(9,515	)		(9,736	)		(3,084	)		(2,496	)
				35,131			77,294			23,143			11,889
	Interest expense, net (6)			6,662			3,800			5,395			1,489
	Loss on extinguishment of debt			1,296			—			1,296			—
	Non-operating other expense (income), net:
	Chemical			(1	)		(1	)		(1	)		(1	)
	Climate Control			—			(1	)		—			(1	)
	Corporate and other business operations			(9	)		(268	)		(33	)		4
	Provisions for income taxes			9,967			27,110			6,345			3,857
	Equity in earnings of affiliate-Climate Control			(452	)		(510	)		(109	)		(169	)
	Income from continuing operations		$	17,668		$	47,164		$	10,250		$	6,710
	-1	During the first nine months of 2013, our Chemical Business experienced downtime at the Cherokee, El Dorado and Pryor Facilities resulting in lost production and significant adverse effect on operating results. During the first nine months of 2012, our Chemical Business also experienced downtime at the El Dorado and Pryor Facilities that adversely affected operating results. Also see Note 13—Property and Business Interruption Insurance Claims and Recoveries.
	-2	Gross profit by business segment represents net sales less cost of sales. Gross profit classified as “Other” relates to the sales of industrial machinery and related components.
	-3	During the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, our Chemical Business recognized a recovery of precious metals of $4.6 million.
	-4	Our chief operating decision makers use operating income by business segment for purposes of making decisions, which include resource allocations and performance evaluations. Operating income by business segment represents gross profit by business segment less selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) incurred by each business segment plus other income and other expense earned/incurred by each business segment before general corporate expenses and other business operations, net. General corporate expenses and other business operations, net, consist of unallocated portions of gross profit, SG&A, other income and other expense.
	-5	The amounts included are not allocated to our Climate Control and Chemical Businesses since these items are not included in the operating results reviewed by our chief operating decision makers for purposes of making decisions as discussed above. A detail of these amounts are as follows:
			Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
						(In Thousands)
	Gross profit-Other		$	3,321		$	3,685		$	1,131		$	1,439
	Selling, general and administrative:
	Personnel costs			(7,520	)		(7,829	)		(2,331	)		(2,299	)
	Professional fees			(3,436	)		(3,250	)		(1,226	)		(881	)
	All other			(2,426	)		(2,639	)		(652	)		(857	)
	Total selling, general and administrative			(13,382	)		(13,718	)		(4,209	)		(4,037	)
	Other income			587			302			—			107
	Other expense			(41	)		(5	)		(6	)		(5	)
	Total general corporate expenses and other business operations, net		$	(9,515	)	$	(9,736	)	$	(3,084	)	$	(2,496	)
	-6	During the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, interest expense is net of capitalized interest of $2.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
	Information about our total assets by business segment is as follows:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
			(In Thousands)
	Chemical		$	806,315		$	394,479
	Climate Control			152,635			139,526
	Corporate assets and other			55,055			42,607
	Total assets		$	1,014,005		$	576,612

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]	'
Related Party Transactions	'
	Note 16: Related Party Transactions
	Golsen Group
	In March 2012, we paid dividends totaling $300,000 on our Series B Preferred and our Series D Preferred. In March 2013, we declared and subsequently paid dividends totaling $300,000 on our Series B Preferred and our Series D Preferred. The Series B Preferred and Series D Preferred are non-redeemable preferred stocks issued in 1986 and 2001, respectively, of which all outstanding shares are owned by Jack E. Golsen (“Golsen”), our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, members of his immediate family (spouse and children), including Barry H. Golsen, our Vice Chairman and President, Steven J. Golsen, a Director and Chief Operating Officer of our Climate Control Business, entities owned by them and trusts for which they possess voting or dispositive power as trustee (together, the “Golsen Group”).
	Appointment of New Director
	On March 15, 2013, our Board of Directors appointed Mr. Lance Benham as a new member of our Board of Directors. Mr. Benham’s appointment fills the board vacancy resulting from the passing of Mr. Horace Rhodes in January 2013. At the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders held in May, Mr. Benham was elected to serve with the class of directors having a term that will expire in 2016. In January 2013, Mr. Benham retired as Senior Vice President of SAIC Energy, Environment & Infrastructure, LLC (“SAIC Energy”), a subsidiary of Science Applications International Corporation (“SAIC”). There are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Benham and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Benham was appointed as a director of LSB. During 2012, we incurred approximately $127,000 with SAIC Energy for engineering services relating to our chemical facilities. During the first nine months of 2013, we incurred approximately $5,734,000 with SAIC Energy for engineering services and deconstruction services relating to our chemical facilities. In August 2013, we negotiated an Engineering Procurement and Construction Agreement with SAIC Constructors, LLC, a subsidiary of SAIC, to engineer and construct the ammonia plant and certain support facilities. We expect SAIC Constructor’s fees in connection with this agreement to be approximately $22 million.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Note 17: Subsequent Events
	Conclusion of Insurance Claims—El Dorado Facility As discussed in Note 13—Property and Business Interruption Claims and Recoveries, we filed insurance claims for property damage and business interruption losses in connection with the May 15, 2012, explosion of a reactor in the 98% strength nitric acid plant at the El Dorado Facility. Effective October 23, 2013, we settled these claims with our insurance carriers for the aggregate amount of $113 million, comprised of $60 million previously paid to us and $53 million to be paid to us within 30 days from October 23, 2013. When realized, an insurance recovery of approximately $76 million (including $23 million deferred gain at September 30, 2013) will be recognized as income associated with this settlement.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation	'
	Basis of Consolidation and Presentation—LSB Industries, Inc. (“LSB”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”, “We”, “Us”, or “Our”) are consolidated in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. We are involved in manufacturing and marketing operations. We are primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of chemical products (the “Chemical Business”) and the manufacture and sale of geothermal and water source heat pumps and air handling products (the “Climate Control Business”). LSB is a holding company with no significant operations or assets other than cash, cash equivalents, and investments in its subsidiaries. Our Chemical Business’ ownership of working interests in natural gas properties is accounted for as an undivided interest, whereby we reflect our proportionate share of the underlying assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Entities that are 20% to 50% owned and for which we have significant influence are accounted for on the equity method. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company as of September 30, 2013 and for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 include all adjustments and accruals, consisting of normal, recurring accrual adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. These interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year due, in part, to the seasonality of our sales of agricultural products, certain downtime events associated with our chemical facilities, and the timing of performing our major plant maintenance activities. Our selling seasons for agricultural products are primarily during the spring and fall planting seasons, which typically extend from March through June and from September through November.
	Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted in this Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in connection with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2012 Form 10-K.
Reclassifications	'
	Reclassifications—Reclassifications have been made in our condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2012 to conform to our condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2013, which reclassifications combined various current asset line items and combined various noncurrent other asset line items. These reclassifications did not impact the total amount of current assets or noncurrent other assets at December 31, 2012. In addition, reclassifications have been made in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to conform to our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, which reclassifications combined various operating activities line items. These reclassifications did not impact the total amount of net cash provided by continuing operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates—The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents—Investments, which consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, are considered cash equivalents. At September, 30, 2013, the cash and cash equivalents balance exceeded the FDIC-insured limits by approximately $40 million. All of these cash balances were held by financial institutions within the U.S.
Precious Metals	'
	Precious Metals—Precious metals are used as a catalyst in the Chemical Business manufacturing process. Precious metals are carried at cost, with cost being determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. Because some of the catalyst consumed in the production process cannot be readily recovered and the amount and timing of recoveries are not predictable, we follow the practice of expensing precious metals as they are consumed. Occasionally, during major maintenance or capital projects, we may be able to perform procedures to recover precious metals (previously expensed) which have accumulated over time within the manufacturing equipment. Recoveries of precious metals are recognized at historical FIFO costs. When we accumulate precious metals in excess of our production requirements, we may sell a portion of the excess metals.
Capitalized Interest	'
	Capitalized Interest—Interest cost on borrowings incurred during a significant construction or development project is capitalized primarily in property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”). Capitalized interest is added to the underlying asset and amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Noncurrent Restricted Cash	'
	Noncurrent Restricted Cash—Noncurrent restricted cash consists of cash and cash equivalent balances that are designated by us for specific purposes relating to capital projects. All of these cash balances were held by financial institutions within the U.S
Noncurrent Restricted Investments	'
	Noncurrent Restricted Investments—Noncurrent restricted investments consist of investment balances that are designated by us for specific purposes relating to capital projects. At September 30, 2013, the balance includes investments of $130 million of U.S. Treasury bills with an original maturity of 13 weeks and $40 million of certificates of deposits with an original maturity no longer than approximately 26 weeks. The investments in these U.S. Treasury bills are classified as held-to-maturity and are carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The investments in certificates of deposits are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The investments in certificates of deposits exceeded the FDIC-insured limits by approximately $40 million. All of these investments were held by financial institutions within the U.S.
Debt Issuance Costs	'
	Debt Issuance Costs—Debt issuance costs are amortized over the term of the associated debt instrument. In general, if debt is extinguished prior to maturity, the associated debt issuance costs, if any, are written off and included in the gain or loss on extinguishment of debt.
Recognition of Insurance Recoveries	'
	Recognition of Insurance Recoveries—If an insurance claim relates to a recovery of our losses, we recognize the recovery when it is probable and reasonably estimable. If our insurance claim relates to a contingent gain, we recognize the recovery when it is realized or realizable and earned. Amounts recoverable from our insurance carriers, if any, are included in accounts receivable.

Income_Per_Common_Share_Tables

Income Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share:
	(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
		Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	17,619		$	47,044		$	10,260	$	6,708
	Dividends on Series B Preferred		(240	)		(240	)		—		—
	Dividends on Series D Preferred		(60	)		(60	)		—		—
	Total dividends on preferred stocks		(300	)		(300	)		—		—
	Numerator for basic net income per common share—net income applicable to common stock		17,319			46,744			10,260		6,708
	Dividends on preferred stocks assumed to be converted, if dilutive		300			300			—		—
	Numerator for diluted net income per common share	$	17,619		$	47,044		$	10,260	$	6,708
	Denominator:
	Denominator for basic net income per common share—weighted-average shares		22,446,557			22,346,112			22,477,974		22,373,731
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Convertible preferred stocks		916,666			917,119			916,666		916,666
	Stock options		223,352			264,965			202,645		261,341
	Dilutive potential common shares		1,140,018			1,182,084			1,119,311		1,178,007
	Denominator for diluted net income per common share—adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		23,586,575			23,528,196			23,597,285		23,551,738
	Basic net income per common share	$	0.77		$	2.09		$	0.46	$	0.3
	Diluted net income per common share	$	0.75		$	2		$	0.43	$	0.28
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earning Per Share	'
	The following weighted-average shares of securities were not included in the computation of diluted net income per common share as their effect would have been antidilutive:
		Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
	Stock options		249,000			254,000			243,000		254,000

Accounts_Receivable_net_Tables

Accounts Receivable, net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Net Accounts Receivables	'
	Our accounts receivables, net, consists of the following:
		September 30,			December 31,
		2013			2012
		(In Thousands)
	Trade receivables	$	80,411		$	72,505
	Insurance claims		2,602			10,059
	Other		1,031			873
			84,044			83,437
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(545	)		(636	)
		$	83,499		$	82,801

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Changes in Inventory Reserves	'
	Changes in our inventory reserves are as follows:
		Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013		2012
		(In Thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	2,793		$	1,783		$	2,509	$	1,737
	Provisions for losses		1,134			337			899		293
	Write-offs and disposals		(519	)		(93	)		—		(3	)
	Balance at end of period	$	3,408		$	2,027		$	3,408	$	2,027

Current_and_Noncurrent_Accrued1

Current and Noncurrent Accrued and Other Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Summary of Current and Noncurrent Accrued and Other Liabilities	'
	Our current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities consist of the following:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2013		2012
		(In Thousands)
	Deferred revenue on extended warranty contracts	$	7,292	$	7,007
	Accrued warranty costs		7,212		6,172
	Accrued interest		6,150		569
	Accrued payroll and benefits		6,062		6,612
	Customer deposits		4,496		8,189
	Other		21,710		22,518
			52,922		51,067
	Less noncurrent portion		16,774		16,369
	Current portion of accrued and other liabilities	$	36,148	$	34,698

Accrued_Warranty_Costs_Tables

Accrued Warranty Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Guarantees [Abstract]	'
Changes in Product Warranty Obligation (Accrued Warranty Costs)	'
	Changes in our product warranty obligation (accrued warranty costs) are as follows:
		Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In Thousands)
	Balance at beginning of period	$	6,172		$	5,370		$	6,944		$	6,078
	Amounts charged to costs and expenses		5,860			5,062			1,849			1,718
	Costs incurred		(4,820	)		(4,356	)		(1,581	)		(1,720	)
	Balance at end of period	$	7,212		$	6,076		$	7,212		$	6,076

LongTerm_Debt_Tables

Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-Term Debt	'
	Our long-term debt consists of the following:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
			(In Thousands)
	Working Capital Revolver Loan (A)		$	—		$	—
	Senior Secured Notes (B)			425,000			—
	Secured Promissory Note (C)			31,205			—
	Secured Term Loan (B)			—			68,438
	Other, with a current weighted-average interest rate of 4.75%, most of which is secured primarily by machinery, equipment and real estate			11,328			4,003
				467,533			72,441
	Less current portion of long-term debt			12,167			4,798
	Long-term debt due after one year		$	455,366		$	67,643
	(A) Our wholly-owned subsidiary, ThermaClime, L.L.C. (“ThermaClime”) and certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Borrowers”), are parties to a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Working Capital Revolver Loan”). On July, 31, 2013, we entered into an amendment to the Working Capital Revolver Loan, which amends our existing senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Amended Working Capital Revolver”). The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan became effective concurrently with the closing of the issuance of Senior Secured Notes discussed in (B) below. Upon the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan becoming effective, the principal amount that ThermaClime and its subsidiaries may borrow on a revolving basis increased from up to $50.0 million to up to $100.0 million, based on specific percentages of eligible accounts receivable and inventories and permits the Senior Secured Notes and the guarantees to be secured on a first-priority basis by the Priority Collateral and on a second-priority basis by the certain collateral securing the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan and provides that the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan be secured on a second-priority basis by the Priority Collateral as discussed in (B) below. The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan will mature on April 13, 2018.
	The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan accrues interest at a base rate (generally equivalent to the prime rate) plus 0.50% if borrowing availability is greater than $25.0 million, otherwise plus 0.75% or, at our option, accrues interest at LIBOR plus 1.50% if borrowing availability is greater than $25.0 million, otherwise LIBOR plus 1.75%. At September 30, 2013, the interest rate was 3.75% based on LIBOR. Interest is paid monthly, if applicable.
	The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan provides for up to $15.0 million of letters of credit. All letters of credit outstanding reduce availability under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan. As of September 30, 2013, the amount available for borrowing under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan was approximately $63.3 million. Under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan, the lender also requires the Borrowers to pay a letter of credit fee equal to 1% per annum of the undrawn amount of all outstanding letters of credit, an unused line fee equal to .25% per annum for the excess amount available under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan not drawn and various other audit, appraisal and valuation charges.
	The lender has the ability to, upon an event of default, as defined, terminate the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan and make the balance outstanding, if any, due and payable in full. The terms of the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan provided that ThermaClime could prepay a term loan agreement (the “Secured Term Loan”) as discussed in (B) below.
	The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan requires ThermaClime to meet a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.10 to 1, if at any time the excess availability (as defined by the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan), under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan, is less than or equal to $12.5 million. This ratio will be measured monthly on a trailing twelve month basis and as defined in the agreement. The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan contains covenants that, among other things, limit the Borrowers’ (which does not include LSB) ability, without consent of the lender and with certain exceptions, to:
		•		incur additional indebtedness;
		•		create liens on, sell or otherwise dispose of our assets;
		•		engage in certain fundamental corporate changes or changes to our business activities;
		•		make certain material acquisitions;
		•		engage in sale-leaseback transactions;
		•		make other restricted payments, including, without limitation, investments;
		•		repay certain indebtedness;
		•		engage in certain affiliate transactions;
		•		declare dividends and distributions to LSB;
		•		engage in mergers, consolidations or other forms of recapitalization; or
		•		dispose assets.
	The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan allows the Borrowers and subsidiaries under the Senior Secured Notes to guarantee those notes. So long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, ThermaClime may make distributions and pay dividends to LSB in amounts necessary to permit LSB to make required payments of principal and payments of scheduled interest under the Senior Secured Notes, in each case not more than five business days prior to the date such payments are due and not in excess of the actual amounts due. The ability of ThermaClime and its wholly-owned subsidiaries to pay other dividends and to make other distributions to LSB or ThermaClime’s parent, Consolidated Industries Corp. (“Consolidated Industries”), is restricted by certain covenants contained in the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan, which prohibits ThermaClime from transferring other funds to LSB in the form of cash dividends or other distributions, except for the following (so long as no default or event of default has occurred, is continuing or would result therefrom):
		•		amounts not to exceed $7.5 million annually under a certain management agreement between LSB and ThermaClime, provided certain conditions are met;
		•		the repayment of costs and expenses incurred by LSB that are directly allocable to ThermaClime or its subsidiaries for LSB’s provision of services under a certain services agreement;
		•		the amount of income taxes that ThermaClime would be required to pay if they were not consolidated with LSB; and
		•		an amount not to exceed 50% of ThermaClime’s consolidated net income during each fiscal year determined in accordance with GAAP, plus income taxes paid to LSB during such fiscal year within the previous bullet above.
	So long as both immediately before and after giving effect to any of the following, excess availability as defined by the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan is equal to or greater than the greater of (x) 20% of the maximum revolver commitment or (y) $20 million, the Amended Working Capital Revolver will allow each of the Borrowers under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan to make:
		•		loans to, or other investments in, LSB in an aggregate amount exceeding $5.0 million at any time outstanding;
		•		distributions and pay dividends with respect to amounts in excess of $0.5 million during each fiscal year to Consolidated Industries or to LSB or to any subsidiary of Consolidated Industries that is not also a subsidiary of ThermaClime;
		•		investments in joint ventures in an aggregate amount not exceeding $35.0 million; and
		•		other investments in an aggregate amount not exceeding $50.0 million at any one time outstanding.
	The Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan includes customary events of default, including events of default relating to nonpayment of principal and other amounts owing under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan from time to time, any material misstatement or misrepresentation and breaches of representations and warranties made, violations of covenants, cross-payment default to indebtedness in excess of $0.1 million, cross-acceleration to indebtedness in excess of $0.1 million, bankruptcy and insolvency events, certain unsatisfied judgments, certain liens, and certain assertions of, or actual invalidity of, certain loan documents.
	(B) On August 7, 2013, LSB sold $425 million aggregate principal amount of the 7.75% Senior Secured Notes due 2019 (the “Senior Secured Notes”) in a 144A transaction pursuant to the exemptions from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”). The Senior Secured Notes are eligible for resale by the investors under Rule144A under the Act. LSB received net proceeds of approximately $351 million, after the payoff of the Secured Term Loan (discussed below), commissions and fees. In connection with the closing, LSB entered into an indenture (the “Indenture”) with UMB Bank, as trustee, governing the Senior Secured Notes and as collateral agent, and will receive customary compensation from us for such services.
	The Senior Secured Notes bear interest at the rate of 7.75% per year and mature on August 1, 2019. Interest is to be paid semiannually, beginning on February 1, 2014.
	The Senior Secured Notes are general senior secured obligations of LSB. The Senior Secured Notes are jointly and severally and fully and unconditionally guaranteed by all of LSB’s current subsidiaries, with all of the guarantees, except two, being senior secured guarantees and two being senior unsecured guarantees. The Senior Secured Notes will rank equally in right of payment to all of LSB and the guarantors’ existing and future senior secured debt, including the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan discussed below, and will be senior in right of payment to all of LSB and the guarantors’ future subordinated indebtedness. LSB does not have independent assets or operations.
	Those subsidiaries that provided guarantees of the Senior Secured Notes will be released from such guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events, including the following:
		•		the designation of such guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary;
		•		the release or discharge of any guarantee or indebtedness that resulted in the creation of the guarantee of the Senior Secured Notes by such guarantor;
		•		the sale or other disposition, including by way of merger or otherwise, of its capital stock or of all or substantially all of the assets, of such guarantor; or
		•		LSB’s exercise of its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option as described in the Indenture with LSB’s obligations under the Indenture discharged in accordance with the Indenture.
	The Senior Secured Notes will be effectively senior to all existing and future unsecured debt of LSB and the guarantors to the extent of the value of the property and assets subject to liens (“Collateral”) and will be effectively senior to all existing and future obligations under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan and other debt to the extent of the value of the certain collateral (“Priority Collateral”).
	The Senior Secured Notes will be secured on a first-priority basis by the Priority Collateral owned by LSB and the guarantors (other than the two unsecured guarantors) and on a second-priority basis by the certain collateral securing the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan owned by LSB and the guarantors (other than the two unsecured guarantors), in each case subject to certain liens permitted under the Indenture. The Senior Secured Notes will be equal in priority as to the Priority Collateral owned by LSB and the guarantors with respect to any obligations under any equally ranked lien obligations subsequently incurred. At September 30, 2013, the carrying value of the assets secured on a first-priority basis was approximately $272 million and the carrying value of the assets secured on a second-priority basis was approximately $213 million.
	The Senior Secured Notes will be effectively subordinated to all of LSB and the guarantors’ existing and future obligations under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan and other debt to the extent of the value of the certain collateral securing such debt and to any of LSB and the guarantors’ existing and future indebtedness that is secured by liens that are not part of the Collateral. The Senior Secured Notes will be structurally subordinated to all of the existing and future indebtedness, preferred stock obligations and other liabilities, including trade payables, of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Senior Secured Notes in the future.
	Except under certain conditions, the Senior Secured Notes are not redeemable before August 1, 2016. On or after such date, LSB may redeem the Senior Secured Notes at its option, in whole or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days notice, at the following redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the twelve-month period commencing on August 1st of the year set forth below:
	Year		Percentage
	2016			103.875	%
	2017			101.938	%
	2018 and thereafter			100	%
	Upon the occurrence of a change of control, as defined in the Indenture, each holder of the Senior Secured Notes will have the right to require that LSB purchase all or a portion of such holder’s notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).
	The Indenture contains covenants that, among other things, limit LSB’s ability, with certain exceptions and as defined in the Indenture, to:
		•		incur additional indebtedness;
		•		pay dividends;
		•		repurchase LSB’ common and preferred stocks;
		•		make investments;
		•		repay certain indebtedness;
		•		create liens on, sell or otherwise dispose of our assets;
	•		engage in mergers, consolidations or other forms of recapitalization;
	•		engage in sale-leaseback transactions; or
	•		engage in certain affiliate transactions.
As discussed above, approximately $67.2 million of the proceeds from Senior Secured Notes was used to pay all outstanding borrowings, including the prepayment premium, under the Secured Term Loan. As a result of the payoff of the Secured Term Loan, we incurred a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.2 million, consisting of the prepayment premium and writing off unamortized debt issuance costs.
In conjunction with the Senior Secured Notes, we entered into an amendment to the Working Capital Revolver Loan as discussed in (A) above.
In connection with the Senior Secured Notes, LSB entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we have agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to file with the SEC a registration statement (“Registration Statement”) on an appropriate form with respect to a registered offer to exchange the notes for new notes with terms substantially identical in all material respects to the notes, cause the Registration Statement to be declared effective under the Securities Act, and complete the exchange within 180 days after the effective date of such Registration Statement. We are also obligated to update the Registration Statement by filing a post-effective amendment. If the exchange offer is not completed on or prior to the expiration of 365 days from August 7, 2013 (the date of closing) and under certain other conditions, the annual interest rate on the notes will be increased by (i) 0.25% (or approximately $3,000 per day) for the first 90 day period immediately following such default and (ii) an additional 0.25% with respect to each subsequent 90 day period, in each case until and including the date such default ends, up to a maximum increase of 1.00% (or approximately $12,000 per day).
(C) On February 1, 2013, Zena Energy L.L.C. (“Zena”), a subsidiary within our Chemical Business, entered into a loan (the “Secured Promissory Note”) with a lender in the original principal amount of $35 million. The Secured Promissory Note follows the original acquisition by Zena of working interests (“Working Interests”) in certain natural gas properties during October 2012. The proceeds of the Secured Promissory Note effectively financed $35 million of the approximately $50 million purchase price of the Working Interests previously paid out of LSB’s working capital. The proceeds of the Secured Promissory Note are being used for general working capital purposes. The Secured Promissory Note matures on February 1, 2016. Principal and interest are payable monthly based on a five-year amortization at a defined LIBOR rate plus 300 basis points (but not below 3.00% per annum) with a final balloon payment of $15.3 million. The interest rate at September 30, 2013 was 3.26%. The loan is secured by the Working Interests and related properties and proceeds.

Derivatives_Hedges_Financial_I1

Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The following details our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
		Fair Value Measurements at
		September 30, 2013 Using
	Description	Total Fair			Quoted Prices			Significant			Significant			Total Fair
		Value At			in Active			Other			Unobservable			Value at
		September 30,			Markets for			Observable			Inputs			December 31,
		2013			Identical			Inputs			(Level 3)			2012
					Assets			(Level 2)
					(Level 1)
		(In Thousands)
	Assets—Supplies, prepaid items and other:
	Commodities contracts	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	79
	Carbon credits		625			—			—			625			91
	Total	$	625		$	—		$	—		$	625		$	170
	Liabilities—Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:
	Contractual obligations -carbon credits	$	625		$	—		$	—		$	625		$	91
	Interest rate contracts		1,374			—			1,374			—			1,874
	Total	$	1,999		$	—		$	1,374		$	625		$	1,965
Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
		Assets						Liabilities						Assets					Liabilities
		Nine Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended					Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,						September 30,					September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012			2013		2012			2013			2012
		(In Thousands)
	Beginning balance	$	91		$	42		$	(91	)	$	(42	)	$	625	$	42		$	(625	)	$	(42	)
	Transfers into Level 3		—			—			—			—			—		—			—			—
	Transfers out of Level 3		—			—			—			—			—		—			—			—
	Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings		546			248			(546	)		(248	)		—		248			—			(248	)
	Purchases		—			—			—			—			—		—			—			—
	Issuances		—			—			—			—			—		—			—			—
	Sales		(12	)		(66	)		—			—			—		(66	)		—			—
	Settlements		—			—			12			66			—		—			—			66
	Ending balance	$	625		$	224		$	(625	)	$	(224	)	$	625	$	224		$	(625	)	$	(224	)
Realized and Unrealized Net Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings and Income Statement Classifications	'
	Realized and unrealized net gains (losses) included in earnings and the income statement classifications are as follows:
		Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In Thousands)
	Total net gains (losses) included in earnings:
	Cost of sales—Commodities contracts	$	(275	)	$	85		$	—		$	157
	Cost of sales—Foreign exchange contracts		—			(19	)		—			(11	)
	Other income—Carbon credits		546			248			—			248
	Other expense—Contractual obligations relating to carbon credits		(546	)		(248	)		—			(248	)
	Interest expense—Interest rate contracts		(1	)		(515	)		(90	)		(186	)
		$	(276	)	$	(449	)	$	(90	)	$	(40	)
		Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(In Thousands)
	Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to contracts still held at period end:
	Cost of sales—Commodities contracts	$	—		$	85		$	—		$	171
	Other income—Carbon credits		534			184			—			184
	Other expense—Contractual obligations relating to carbon credits		(534	)		(184	)		—			(184	)
	Interest expense—Interest rate contracts		500			206			75			(20	)
		$	500		$	291		$	75		$	151

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Provisions for Income Taxes	'
	Provisions for income taxes are as follows:
		Nine Months Ended				Three Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
		(In Thousands)
	Current:
	Federal	$	3,000	$	21,405	$	2,216	$	3,964
	State		797		3,912		500		639
	Total Current		3,797		25,317		2,716		4,603
	Deferred:
	Federal		5,536		1,556		3,256		(664	)
	State		634		237		373		(82	)
	Total Deferred		6,170		1,793		3,629		(746	)
	Provisions for income taxes	$	9,967	$	27,110	$	6,345	$	3,857

Other_Expense_Other_Income_and1

Other Expense, Other Income and Non-Operating Other Expense (Income), net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Other Expense, Other Income and Non-Operating Other Expense (Income), Net	'
	Other Expense, Other Income and Non-Operating Other Expense (Income), net
			Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
						(In Thousands)
	Other expense:
	Dismantle and demolition expense (1)		$	2,364		$	—		$	264		$	—
	Miscellaneous penalties			806			—			10			—
	Losses on sales and disposals of property and equipment			677			667			677			116
	Realized and unrealized losses on contractual obligations associated with carbon credits			546			248			—			248
	Miscellaneous expense (2)			314			191			—			20
	Total other expense		$	4,707		$	1,106		$	951		$	384
	Other income:
	Realized and unrealized gains on carbon credits		$	546		$	248		$	—		$	248
	Settlements of litigation and potential litigation (3)			545			—			—			—
	Gains (losses) on sales and disposals of property and equipment			—			—			(179	)		—
	Miscellaneous income (2)			624			589			349			241
	Total other income		$	1,715		$	837		$	170		$	489
	Non-operating other expense (income), net:
	Interest income		$	(64	)	$	(70	)	$	(52	)	$	(22	)
	Miscellaneous income (2)			—			(263	)		—			—
	Miscellaneous expense (2)			54			63			18			24
	Total non-operating other expense (income), net		$	(10	)	$	(270	)	$	(34	)	$	2
	-1	Amount relates to the dismantling and demolition of certain plant and equipment at our chemical facilities.
	-2	Amounts represent numerous unrelated transactions, none of which are individually significant requiring separate disclosure.
	-3	Amount relates primarily to a settlement reached associated with a class action insurance brokerage antitrust litigation.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Financial Information	'
			Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
						(In Thousands)
	Net sales:
	Chemical (1)		$	303,017		$	372,551		$	104,199		$	110,212
	Climate Control			217,490			198,286			69,863			67,982
	Other			9,745			11,057			3,288			4,180
			$	530,252		$	581,894		$	177,350		$	182,374
	Gross profit: (2)
	Chemical (1) (3)		$	39,116		$	78,789		$	24,610		$	11,291
	Climate Control			70,553			60,892			23,168			20,457
	Other			3,321			3,685			1,131			1,439
			$	112,990		$	143,366		$	48,909		$	33,187
	Operating income: (4)
	Chemical (1) (3)		$	20,259		$	67,023		$	17,680		$	7,529
	Climate Control			24,387			20,007			8,547			6,856
	General corporate expenses and other business operations, net (5)			(9,515	)		(9,736	)		(3,084	)		(2,496	)
				35,131			77,294			23,143			11,889
	Interest expense, net (6)			6,662			3,800			5,395			1,489
	Loss on extinguishment of debt			1,296			—			1,296			—
	Non-operating other expense (income), net:
	Chemical			(1	)		(1	)		(1	)		(1	)
	Climate Control			—			(1	)		—			(1	)
	Corporate and other business operations			(9	)		(268	)		(33	)		4
	Provisions for income taxes			9,967			27,110			6,345			3,857
	Equity in earnings of affiliate-Climate Control			(452	)		(510	)		(109	)		(169	)
	Income from continuing operations		$	17,668		$	47,164		$	10,250		$	6,710
	-1	During the first nine months of 2013, our Chemical Business experienced downtime at the Cherokee, El Dorado and Pryor Facilities resulting in lost production and significant adverse effect on operating results. During the first nine months of 2012, our Chemical Business also experienced downtime at the El Dorado and Pryor Facilities that adversely affected operating results. Also see Note 13—Property and Business Interruption Insurance Claims and Recoveries.
	-2	Gross profit by business segment represents net sales less cost of sales. Gross profit classified as “Other” relates to the sales of industrial machinery and related components.
	-3	During the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, our Chemical Business recognized a recovery of precious metals of $4.6 million.
	-4	Our chief operating decision makers use operating income by business segment for purposes of making decisions, which include resource allocations and performance evaluations. Operating income by business segment represents gross profit by business segment less selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) incurred by each business segment plus other income and other expense earned/incurred by each business segment before general corporate expenses and other business operations, net. General corporate expenses and other business operations, net, consist of unallocated portions of gross profit, SG&A, other income and other expense.
	-5	The amounts included are not allocated to our Climate Control and Chemical Businesses since these items are not included in the operating results reviewed by our chief operating decision makers for purposes of making decisions as discussed above. A detail of these amounts are as follows:
			Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
						(In Thousands)
	Gross profit-Other		$	3,321		$	3,685		$	1,131		$	1,439
	Selling, general and administrative:
	Personnel costs			(7,520	)		(7,829	)		(2,331	)		(2,299	)
	Professional fees			(3,436	)		(3,250	)		(1,226	)		(881	)
	All other			(2,426	)		(2,639	)		(652	)		(857	)
	Total selling, general and administrative			(13,382	)		(13,718	)		(4,209	)		(4,037	)
	Other income			587			302			—			107
	Other expense			(41	)		(5	)		(6	)		(5	)
	Total general corporate expenses and other business operations, net		$	(9,515	)	$	(9,736	)	$	(3,084	)	$	(2,496	)
	-6	During the nine and three months ended September 30, 2013, interest expense is net of capitalized interest of $2.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
General Corporate Expenses and Other Business Operations, Net	'
			Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended
			September 30,						September 30,
			2013			2012			2013			2012
						(In Thousands)
	Gross profit-Other		$	3,321		$	3,685		$	1,131		$	1,439
	Selling, general and administrative:
	Personnel costs			(7,520	)		(7,829	)		(2,331	)		(2,299	)
	Professional fees			(3,436	)		(3,250	)		(1,226	)		(881	)
	All other			(2,426	)		(2,639	)		(652	)		(857	)
	Total selling, general and administrative			(13,382	)		(13,718	)		(4,209	)		(4,037	)
	Other income			587			302			—			107
	Other expense			(41	)		(5	)		(6	)		(5	)
	Total general corporate expenses and other business operations, net		$	(9,515	)	$	(9,736	)	$	(3,084	)	$	(2,496	)
Total Assets by Business Segment	'
	Information about our total assets by business segment is as follows:
			September 30,			December 31,
			2013			2012
			(In Thousands)
	Chemical		$	806,315		$	394,479
	Climate Control			152,635			139,526
	Corporate assets and other			55,055			42,607
	Total assets		$	1,014,005		$	576,612

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Balance in excess of FDIC-insured limits	$40,000,000
Non current restricted investments	169,988,000
US Treasury [Member]	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Non current restricted investments	130,000,000
Original maturity period	'13 weeks
CD [Member]	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Non current restricted investments	$40,000,000
Original maturity period	'No longer than approximately 26 weeks
Minimum [Member]	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Ownership interest in equity method investment	20.00%
Maximum [Member]	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'
Ownership interest in equity method investment	50.00%

Income_Per_Common_Share_Comput

Income Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Common Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Net income	$10,260	$6,708	$17,619	$47,044
Dividends on preferred stocks	'	'	-300	-300
Net income applicable to common stock	10,260	6,708	17,319	46,744
Dividends on preferred stocks assumed to be converted, if dilutive	'	'	300	300
Numerator for diluted net income per common share	10,260	6,708	17,619	47,044
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Denominator for basic net income per common share - weighted-average shares	22,477,974	22,373,731	22,446,557	22,346,112
Effect of dilutive securities:	'	'	'	'
Convertible preferred stocks	916,666	916,666	916,666	917,119
Stock options	202,645	261,341	223,352	264,965
Dilutive potential common shares	1,119,311	1,178,007	1,140,018	1,182,084
Denominator for diluted net income per common share - adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions	23,597,285	23,551,738	23,586,575	23,528,196
Basic net income per common share	$0.46	$0.30	$0.77	$2.09
Diluted net income per common share	$0.43	$0.28	$0.75	$2
Series B Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Dividends on preferred stocks	'	'	-240	-240
Series D Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Dividends on preferred stocks	'	'	($60)	($60)

Income_Per_Common_Share_Antidi

Income Per Common Share - Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earning Per Share (Detail) (Stock Options [Member])	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earning per share	243,000	254,000	249,000	254,000

Change_in_Accounting_Estimate_

Change in Accounting Estimate - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]	'
Business interruption recovery estimate	'These estimates and assumptions include determining the amount of extra expenses that have been incurred during the business interruption period and that are at least probable of approval by our insurance carriers for an insurance recovery. Based primarily on negotiations with our insurance carriers
Business Interruption Insurance [Member] | Cost of sales [Member]	'
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]	'
Business interruption recovery	2.6
Change In Accounting Estimate[Member] | Net Income Loss [Member]	'
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]	'
Impact of change in business interruption recovery accounting estimate	'1.6
Change In Accounting Estimate[Member] | Basic And Dilutive Earnings Per Share [Member]	'
Change in Accounting Estimate [Line Items]	'
Impact of change in business interruption recovery accounting estimate	'0.07

Accounts_Receivable_net_Net_Ac

Accounts Receivable, net - Net Accounts Receivables (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Trade receivables	$80,411	$72,505
Insurance claims	2,602	10,059
Other	1,031	873
Accounts receivable, gross	84,044	83,437
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-545	-636
Accounts receivable, net	$83,499	$82,801

Accounts_Receivable_net_Additi

Accounts Receivable, net - Additional Information (Detail) (Receivable Sales Agreement [Member])	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Receivable Sales Agreement [Member]	'
Accounts Receivable Net [Line Items]	'
Contract period	'The term of this agreement matures in August 2014, with renewal options, but either party has an option to terminate the agreement pursuant to the terms of the agreement
Contract terms	'Receive payment from the Bank no later than one business day after the Bank's acceptance of EDC's offer to sell the accounts receivables

Inventories_Additional_Informa

Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory reserves	$3,408,000	$2,509,000	$2,793,000	$2,027,000	$1,737,000	$1,783,000
Climate Control Products [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory reserves	1,577,000	'	1,818,000	'	'	'
Chemical Products [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory reserves	$1,831,000	'	$975,000	'	'	'

Inventories_Changes_in_Invento

Inventories - Changes in Inventory Reserves (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$2,509	$1,737	$2,793	$1,783
Provisions for losses	899	293	1,134	337
Write-offs and disposals	'	-3	-519	-93
Balance at end of period	$3,408	$2,027	$3,408	$2,027

Current_and_Noncurrent_Accrued2

Current and Noncurrent Accrued and Other Liabilities - Summary of Current and Noncurrent Accrued and Other Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred revenue on extended warranty contracts	$7,292	'	$7,007	'	'	'
Accrued warranty costs	7,212	6,944	6,172	6,076	6,078	5,370
Accrued interest	6,150	'	569	'	'	'
Accrued payroll and benefits	6,062	'	6,612	'	'	'
Customer deposits	4,496	'	8,189	'	'	'
Other	21,710	'	22,518	'	'	'
Total current and noncurrent accrued liabilities	52,922	'	51,067	'	'	'
Less noncurrent portion	16,774	'	16,369	'	'	'
Current portion of accrued and other liabilities	$36,148	'	$34,698	'	'	'

Accrued_Warranty_Costs_Additio

Accrued Warranty Costs - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Disclosure Accrued Product Warranty Costs [Abstract]	'
Commercial and industrial product base warranty coverage for manufactured equipment	'Eighteen months from the date of shipment or twelve months from the date of start-up, whichever is shorter
Commercial and industrial product base warranty coverage for spare parts	'90 days
Residential products, the base warranty coverage from the date of shipment for material	'10 years
Residential products warranty coverage for labor associated with repair	'5 years

Accrued_Warranty_Costs_Changes

Accrued Warranty Costs - Changes in Product Warranty Obligation (Accrued Warranty Costs) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Disclosure Accrued Product Warranty Costs [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	$6,944	$6,078	$6,172	$5,370
Amounts charged to costs and expenses	1,849	1,718	5,860	5,062
Costs incurred	-1,581	-1,720	-4,820	-4,356
Balance at end of period	$7,212	$6,076	$7,212	$6,076

Asset_Retirement_Obligations_A

Asset Retirement Obligations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued liability for AROs	$187,000	$154,000

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_of_Long

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$467,533	$72,441
Less current portion of long-term debt	12,167	4,798
Long-term debt due after one year	455,366	67,643
Working Capital Revolver Loan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	'	'
Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	425,000	'
Secured Promissory Note [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	31,205	'
Secured Term Loan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	'	68,438
Other, with a current weighted-average interest rate of 4.75%, most of which is secured primarily by machinery, equipment and real estate [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Long-term debt	$11,328	$4,003

LongTerm_Debt_Schedule_of_Long1

Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Earliest redemption date	'	1-Aug-16
Loss on extinguishment of debt	($1,296,000)	($1,296,000)
Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	'	1-Aug-19
Offering date	'	7-Aug-13
Aggregate principal amount of notes sold	425,000,000	425,000,000
Net proceeds received from private placement of notes	'	351,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate	7.75%	7.75%
Debt instrument, start date of interest payment	'	1-Feb-14
Number of unsecured guarantors	'	2
Change in control purchase price	101.00%	101.00%
Period to complete notes exchange from effective date	'	'180 days
Period to have registration statement declared effective	'	'365 days
Interest rate increase for default	'	0.25%
Daily penalty amount for default	'	3,000
Default duration for increased interest rate	'	'90 days
Maximum interest rate increase for default	'	1.00%
Maximum daily penalty amount for default	'	12,000
Secured Promissory Note [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maturity date	'	1-Feb-16
Proceeds of the Secured Promissory Note	'	35,000,000
Purchase price of business acquisition	'	50,000,000
Secured Promissory Notes, interest rate description	'	'Principal and interest are payable monthly based on a five-year amortization at a defined LIBOR rate plus 300 basis points (but not below 3.00% per annum)
Secured Promissory Note, interest rate	3.26%	3.26%
Final balloon payment	15,300,000	15,300,000
Other, with a current weighted-average interest rate of 4.75%, most of which is secured primarily by machinery, equipment and real estate [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted-average interest rate of other debt	4.75%	4.75%
Secured Term Loan [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Repayment of outstanding borrowings	67,200,000	67,200,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	'	1,200,000
2016 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Redemption price	'	103.88%
2017 [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Redemption price	'	101.94%
2018 and Thereafter [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Redemption price	'	100.00%
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Notice period of senior secured notes to be redeemed	'	'Not less than 30 days
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Notice period of senior secured notes to be redeemed	'	'Nor more than 60 days
First Priority Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying value of the assets	272,000,000	272,000,000
Second Priority Secured Notes [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Carrying value of the assets	213,000,000	213,000,000
Amended Working Capital Revolver [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Amendment date	'	31-Jul-13
Original maximum amount of revolving credit facility	50,000,000	50,000,000
Amended maximum amount of revolving credit facility	100,000,000	100,000,000
Maturity date	'	13-Apr-18
Description of interest rate of revolving credit facility	'	'Interest at a base rate (generally equivalent to the prime rate) plus 0.50% if borrowing availability is greater than $25.0 million, otherwise plus 0.75% or, at our option, accrues interest at LIBOR plus 1.50% if borrowing availability is greater than $25.0 million, otherwise LIBOR plus 1.75%.
Line of credit facility, interest rate	3.75%	3.75%
Letters of credit maximum capacity	15,000,000	15,000,000
Amount available for borrowing	63,300,000	63,300,000
Fees expressed as percentage for unused letters of credit	'	1.00%
Fees expressed as percentage for unused revolving credit facility	'	0.25%
Amended working capital revolver loan requirements	'	'A minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.10 to 1, if at any time the excess availability (as defined by the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan), under the Amended Working Capital Revolver Loan, is less than or equal to $12.5 million.
Number of business days prior to distribution to make payment	'	5
Amended Working Capital Revolver [Member] | Covenants [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Maximum annual fee paid under management agreement	'	7,500,000
Maximum amount of net income distributable to parent	'	50.00%
Loan requirements description	'	'Equal to or greater than the greater of (x) 20% of the maximum revolver commitment or (y) $20 million
Maximum amount of loans to or other investments in Parent	5,000,000	5,000,000
Limit of distributions/dividends	500,000	500,000
Limit of joint ventures	35,000,000	35,000,000
Limit of Other Investments	$50,000,000	$50,000,000
Amended Working Capital Revolver [Member] | Default [Member] | Covenants [Member]	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'
Events of default description	'	'Any material misstatement or misrepresentation and breaches of representations and warranties made, violations of covenants, cross-payment default to indebtedness in excess of $0.1 million, cross-acceleration to indebtedness in excess of $0.1 million, bankruptcy and insolvency events, certain unsatisfied judgments, certain liens, and certain assertions of, or actual invalidity of, certain loan documents.

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Apr. 19, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Amended Ammonium Nitrate Supply Agreement [Member]

Amended Bayer Agreement [Member]

Chemical Business [Member]

Pryor Facility [Member]

Pryor Facility [Member]

Hallowell Facility [Member]

Climate Control Business [Member]

Insurance Claims [Member]

El Dorado Facility [Member]

El Dorado Facility [Member]

El Dorado Facility [Member]

El Dorado Facility [Member]

Plant

Cases

Cases

Subsidiary

Nitric Acid Plant [Member]

Ammonia Plant [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Ammonia Plant [Member]

Ammonia Plant [Member]

Commitments And Contingencies [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Notice of termination

'

'

'Required notice of termination from two years to one year.

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Agreement term

'

'

'

'7 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated project cost to construct plant

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$120,000,000

'

'

'

Project costs capitalized

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

35,900,000

29,800,000

'

'

Estimated cost for project ranges

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000,000

300,000,000

Accrued liabilities for environmental matters

'

1,150,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Penalty related to discharge water permit

'

124,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Alleged discharge water permit violation settlement amount

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capital cost in connection with construction of pipeline

'

4,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated share of the annual operating costs of pipeline, minimum

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated share of the annual operating costs of pipeline, maximum

'

150,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Operating agreement maturity date

'

31-Dec-53

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum penalty amount per day under Clean Air Act

'

27,500

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of nitric acid affected plants

'

'

'

'

8

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Plants compliant with Clean Air Act

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Minimum range of estimated capital cost to meet Clean Air Act emission rates

'

'

'

'

2,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Maximum range of estimated capital cost to meet Clean Air Act emission rates

'

'

'

'

3,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Plants requiring capital investment to achieve Clean Air Act compliance

'

'

'

'

6

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Reforestation mitigation estimated project costs

'

'

'

'

150,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of civil penalty to be paid

'

'

'

'

725,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount of civil penalty

'

'

'

'

'

100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of alleged non-compliance issues

'

'

'

'

'

'

14

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of alleged violation resolved through a global settlement

'

'

'

'

'

3

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of alleged violations resolved through civil penalty payment

'

'

'

'

'

11

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of subsidiaries under Chemical Business that sold their operating assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2

'

'

'

'

'

'

Insurance coverage of general liability risks

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Product liability deductible per claim

250,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

250,000

'

'

'

'

'

Professional fees

'

168,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued general liability insurance claims

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$205,000

'

'

'

'

Derivatives_Hedges_Financial_I2

Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2011	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
		Unit	lb
		lb
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Contractual weighted-average pay rate	'	3.23%	'
Estimated market weighted-average receive rate	'	0.57%	'
Carbon credit fair value per unit	'	1	0.5
Derivative future or forward contracts in pounds	'	'	625,000
Future or forward copper contracts period	'	'	'May 2013
Weighted-average cost per pound of future or forward copper contracts	'	'	$3.53
LIBOR rate	3.23%	'	'
Interest rate swap declining balance, beginning balance	23,800,000	'	'
Interest rate swap declining balance, ending balance	18,800,000	'	'
Interest rate contracts fixed rate description	'Fixed three-month LIBOR rate of 3.23% on a declining balance	'	'
Maturity period interest rate contracts held	'March 2016	'	'
Number of carbon credits	'	625,000	'
Assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 classifications	'	'	'
Senior Secured Notes [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Excess of estimated fair value over carrying value	'	$17,000,000	'
Senior Secured Notes [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes lower range of ask or bid price	'	$103.50	'
Notes higher range of ask or bid price	'	$104.50	'

Derivatives_Hedges_Financial_I3

Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Recurring [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Total	$625	$170
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:	'	'
Total	1,999	1,965
Commodities contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Derivative Assets	'	79
Carbon credits [Member]	'	'
Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Carbon credits	625	91
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:	'	'
Contractual obligations - carbon credits	625	91
Interest rate contracts [Member]	'	'
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities	1,374	1,874
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Total	'	'
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:	'	'
Total	'	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Commodities contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Derivative Assets	'	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Carbon credits [Member]	'	'
Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Carbon credits	'	'
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:	'	'
Contractual obligations - carbon credits	'	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Interest rate contracts [Member]	'	'
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Total	'	'
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:	'	'
Total	1,374	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Commodities contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Derivative Assets	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Carbon credits [Member]	'	'
Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Carbon credits	'	'
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:	'	'
Contractual obligations - carbon credits	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Interest rate contracts [Member]	'	'
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities	1,374	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Total	625	'
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:	'	'
Total	625	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Commodities contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Derivative Assets	'	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Carbon credits [Member]	'	'
Assets - Supplies, prepaid items and other:	'	'
Carbon credits	625	'
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:	'	'
Contractual obligations - carbon credits	625	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Interest rate contracts [Member]	'	'
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:	'	'
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities	'	'

Derivatives_Hedges_Financial_I4

Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits - Reconciliation of Beginning and Ending Balances for Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Assets	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	$625	$42	$91	$42
Transfers into Level 3	'	'	'	'
Transfers out of Level 3	'	'	'	'
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings	'	248	546	248
Purchases	'	'	'	'
Issuances	'	'	'	'
Sales	'	-66	-12	-66
Settlements	'	'	'	'
Ending balance	625	224	625	224
Liabilities	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	-625	-42	-91	-42
Transfers into Level 3	'	'	'	'
Transfers out of Level 3	'	'	'	'
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings	'	-248	-546	-248
Purchases	'	'	'	'
Issuances	'	'	'	'
Sales	'	'	'	'
Settlements	'	66	12	66
Ending balance	($625)	($224)	($625)	($224)

Derivatives_Hedges_Financial_I5

Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits - Realized and Unrealized Net Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings and Income Statement Classifications (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Total net gains (losses) included in earnings:	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments and carbon credits, gains and losses recognized in earnings	($90)	($40)	($276)	($449)
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to contracts still held at period end:	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments and carbon credits, change in unrealized gains and losses recognized in earnings	75	151	500	291
Cost of sales [Member] | Commodities contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Total net gains (losses) included in earnings:	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments and carbon credits, gains and losses recognized in earnings	'	157	-275	85
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to contracts still held at period end:	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments and carbon credits, change in unrealized gains and losses recognized in earnings	'	171	'	85
Cost of sales [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Total net gains (losses) included in earnings:	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments and carbon credits, gains and losses recognized in earnings	'	-11	'	-19
Other income [Member] | Carbon credits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Total net gains (losses) included in earnings:	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments and carbon credits, gains and losses recognized in earnings	'	248	546	248
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to contracts still held at period end:	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments and carbon credits, change in unrealized gains and losses recognized in earnings	'	184	534	184
Other expense [Member] | Contractual obligations relating to carbon credits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Total net gains (losses) included in earnings:	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments and carbon credits, gains and losses recognized in earnings	'	-248	-546	-248
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to contracts still held at period end:	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments and carbon credits, change in unrealized gains and losses recognized in earnings	'	-184	-534	-184
Interest expense [Member] | Interest rate contracts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Total net gains (losses) included in earnings:	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments and carbon credits, gains and losses recognized in earnings	-90	-186	-1	-515
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to contracts still held at period end:	'	'	'	'
Derivative instruments and carbon credits, change in unrealized gains and losses recognized in earnings	$75	($20)	$500	$206

Income_Taxes_Provisions_for_In

Income Taxes - Provisions for Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Current:	'	'	'	'
Federal	$2,216	$3,964	$3,000	$21,405
State	500	639	797	3,912
Total Current	2,716	4,603	3,797	25,317
Deferred:	'	'	'	'
Federal	3,256	-664	5,536	1,556
State	373	-82	634	237
Total Deferred	3,629	-746	6,170	1,793
Provisions for income taxes	$6,345	$3,857	$9,967	$27,110

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Retroactive tax relief	'	'	$500,000	'
Provisions for income taxes	$6,345,000	$3,857,000	$9,967,000	$27,110,000
Percentage of pre-tax income	'	'	38.00%	36.00%

Property_and_Business_Interrup1

Property and Business Interruption Insurance Claims and Recoveries - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013
Property And Or Business Interruption Insurance Claims [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Deferred gain on insurance recovery	$25,417,000	'	'	'	$25,417,000
Insurance claim receivable	2,602,000	'	'	10,059,000	2,602,000
El Dorado Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Property And Or Business Interruption Insurance Claims [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Insurance payments received with reservation of rights	'	'	'	'	40,000,000
Approved insurance payments	'	'	'	'	60,000,000
El Dorado Facility [Member] | Property Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Property And Or Business Interruption Insurance Claims [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Deductible property damage under insurance	'	'	'	'	1,000,000
Approved insurance payments	'	'	'	'	48,000,000
Insurance claim recoverable costs	'	'	'	'	24,600,000
Deferred gain on insurance recovery	23,400,000	'	'	'	23,400,000
El Dorado Facility [Member] | Business Interruption Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Property And Or Business Interruption Insurance Claims [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Waiting period for business interruption coverage	'	'	'	'	'30 days
Approved insurance payments	'	'	'	'	12,000,000
Insurance claim receivable	700,000	'	'	'	700,000
El Dorado Facility [Member] | Business Interruption Insurance [Member] | Cost of sales [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Property And Or Business Interruption Insurance Claims [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Insurance claim recoverable costs	4,200,000	500,000	700,000	7,300,000	12,700,000
Cherokee Facility [Member] | Property Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Property And Or Business Interruption Insurance Claims [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Deductible property damage under insurance	'	'	'	'	2,500,000
Cherokee Facility [Member] | Business Interruption Insurance [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Property And Or Business Interruption Insurance Claims [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Waiting period for business interruption coverage	'	'	'	'	'30 days
Insurance payments received with reservation of rights	'	'	'	'	15,000,000
Deferred gain on insurance recovery	2,000,000	'	'	'	2,000,000
Insurance claim receivable	1,900,000	'	'	'	1,900,000
Cherokee Facility [Member] | Business Interruption Insurance [Member] | Cost of sales [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Property And Or Business Interruption Insurance Claims [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Insurance claim recoverable costs	'	$2,900,000	$10,100,000	'	$13,000,000

Other_Expense_Other_Income_and2

Other Expense, Other Income and Non-Operating Other Expense (Income), net - Schedule of Other Expense, Other Income and Non-Operating Other Expense (Income), Net (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Other expense:	'	'	'	'
Dismantle and demolition expense	$264	'	$2,364	'
Miscellaneous penalties	10	'	806	'
Losses on sales and disposals of property and equipment	677	116	677	667
Realized and unrealized losses on contractual obligations associated with carbon credits	'	248	546	248
Miscellaneous expense	'	20	314	191
Total other expense	951	384	4,707	1,106
Other income:	'	'	'	'
Realized and unrealized gains on carbon credits	'	248	546	248
Settlements of litigation and potential litigation	'	'	545	'
Gains (losses) on sales and disposals of property and equipment	-179	'	'	'
Miscellaneous income	349	241	624	589
Total other income	170	489	1,715	837
Non-operating other expense (income), net:	'	'	'	'
Interest income	-52	-22	-64	-70
Miscellaneous income	'	'	'	-263
Miscellaneous expense	18	24	54	63
Total non-operating other expense (income), net	($34)	$2	($10)	($270)

Segment_Information_Segment_Fi

Segment Information - Segment Financial Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	$177,350	$182,374	$530,252	$581,894
Gross profit	48,909	33,187	112,990	143,366
Operating income	23,143	11,889	35,131	77,294
Interest expense, net	5,395	1,489	6,662	3,800
Loss on extinguishment of debt	1,296	'	1,296	'
Non-operating other expense (income), net	-34	2	-10	-270
Provisions for income taxes	6,345	3,857	9,967	27,110
Equity in earnings of affiliate-Climate Control	-109	-169	-452	-510
Income from continuing operations	10,250	6,710	17,668	47,164
Chemical [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	104,199	110,212	303,017	372,551
Gross profit	24,610	11,291	39,116	78,789
Operating income	17,680	7,529	20,259	67,023
Non-operating other expense (income), net	-1	-1	-1	-1
Climate Control [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	69,863	67,982	217,490	198,286
Gross profit	23,168	20,457	70,553	60,892
Operating income	8,547	6,856	24,387	20,007
Non-operating other expense (income), net	'	-1	'	-1
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Net sales	3,288	4,180	9,745	11,057
Gross profit	1,131	1,439	3,321	3,685
Operating income	-3,084	-2,496	-9,515	-9,736
Non-operating other expense (income), net	($33)	$4	($9)	($268)

Segment_Information_Segment_Fi1

Segment Information - Segment Financial Information (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Interest cost capitalized	$1.20	$2.10
Chemical Business [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Recognized recovery of precious metals	$4.60	$4.60

Segment_Information_General_Co

Segment Information - General Corporate Expenses and Other Business Operations, Net (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross profit-Other	$48,909,000	$33,187,000	$112,990,000	$143,366,000
Selling, general and administrative:	'	'	'	'
Professional fees	'	'	-168,000	'
Total selling, general and administrative	-25,069,000	-21,711,000	-74,685,000	-65,988,000
Other income	170,000	489,000	1,715,000	837,000
Other expense	-951,000	-384,000	-4,707,000	-1,106,000
Operating income	23,143,000	11,889,000	35,131,000	77,294,000
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gross profit-Other	1,131,000	1,439,000	3,321,000	3,685,000
Selling, general and administrative:	'	'	'	'
Personnel costs	-2,331,000	-2,299,000	-7,520,000	-7,829,000
Professional fees	-1,226,000	-881,000	-3,436,000	-3,250,000
All other	-652,000	-857,000	-2,426,000	-2,639,000
Total selling, general and administrative	-4,209,000	-4,037,000	-13,382,000	-13,718,000
Other income	'	107,000	587,000	302,000
Other expense	-6,000	-5,000	-41,000	-5,000
Operating income	($3,084,000)	($2,496,000)	($9,515,000)	($9,736,000)

Segment_Information_Total_Asse

Segment Information - Total Assets by Business Segment (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$1,014,005	$576,612
Chemical [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	806,315	394,479
Climate Control [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	152,635	139,526
Corporate assets and other [Member]	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'
Total assets	$55,055	$42,607

Related_Party_Transactions_Add

Related Party Transactions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended			9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
			SAIC Constructors [Member]	Golsen Group [Member]	Golsen Group [Member]	SAIC Energy [Member]	SAIC Energy [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends on preferred stock paid or declared	$300,000	$300,000	'	$300,000	$300,000	'	'
Directors term expiration date	'2016	'	'	'	'	'	'
Related party payments	'	'	'	'	'	5,734,000	127,000
Constructor's fees	'	'	$22,000,000	'	'	'	'

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Deferred gain on insurance recovery	$25,417,000
El Dorado Facility [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Insurance payments received	60,000,000
Subsequent Events [Member] | El Dorado Facility [Member]	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Total insurance settlement recovery	113,000,000
Insurance payments received	60,000,000
Approved insurance payments	53,000,000
Approved insurance payment terms	'Settlement amount receivable to be paid to the company with in 30 days from October 23, 2013
Total insurance recovery recognized as income	76,000,000
Deferred gain on insurance recovery	$23,400,000