Consolidated Statement of Equity (Deficit) (USD $)
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Total
Common Stock [Member]
Paid-in Capital [Member]
Treasury Stock [Member]
Notes Receivable From Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Accumulated Deficit [Member]
Total Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc. Deficit [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011 $ (1,756) $ 1 $ 533 $ (296) $ (24) $ 17 $ (1,988) $ (1,757) $ 1
Distribution declared to parent, per share amount $ 0.02                
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                  
Net income 346 0 0 0 0 0   346  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 346                
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 0               0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent   0 0 0 0   0 (94)  
Other comprehensive loss (95)             (95)  
Stock-based compensation expense 4 0 4 0 0 0 0 4 0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash (3) 0 3 0 0 0 0 (3) 0
Non-cash captial contribution from parent 218 0 218 0 0 0 0 218 0
Forgiveness of Note Receivable from Parent 0                
Non-cash distribution declared to parent 0                
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012 (1,286) 1 752 (296) (24) (77) (1,642) (1,286) 0
Distribution declared to parent, per share amount $ 0.01                
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                  
Net income (633) 0 0 0 0 0   (633)  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (634)                
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (1)               (1)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent 56 0 0 0 0   0 56  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 0
Other comprehensive loss 56             56  
Stock-based compensation expense 3 0   0 0 0 0 3 0
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash 208 0 208 0 0 0 0 (208) 0
Non-cash captial contribution from parent (1) 0   0 0 0 0 (1) 0
Forgiveness of Note Receivable from Parent 24       24        
Non-cash distribution declared to parent (208)                
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013 (2,070) 1 522 (296) 0 (21) (2,275) (2,069) (1)
Distribution declared to parent, per share amount                   
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]                  
Net income (148) 0 0 0 0 0 (148) (148)  
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest (148)                
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest 0               0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent (138) 0 0 0 0 (138) 0 (138)  
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest                 0
Other comprehensive loss (138)             (138)  
Stock-based compensation expense 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0
Forgiveness of Note Receivable from Parent 0                
Non-cash distribution declared to parent 0                
Purchase of Business from Related Party under common control 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 0
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014 $ (2,352) $ 1 $ 526 $ (296) $ 0 $ (159) $ (2,423) $ (2,351) $ (1)