GUARANTOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
GUARANTOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Net income	$ 16.9	$ 89.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(44.8)	53.2
Comprehensive (loss) income	(27.9)	142.9
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.7	(18.3)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Rockwood Holdings, Inc. shareholders	(27.2)	124.6
Parent company
GUARANTOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Net income	18.9	75.8
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(73.7)	48.8
Comprehensive (loss) income	(54.8)	124.6
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Rockwood Holdings, Inc. shareholders	(54.8)	124.6
Issuer
GUARANTOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Net income	18.9	75.8
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(73.7)	48.8
Comprehensive (loss) income	(54.8)	124.6
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Rockwood Holdings, Inc. shareholders	(54.8)	124.6
Guarantor Subsidiaries
GUARANTOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Net income	18.3	20.3
Other comprehensive (loss) income	0.1	0.9
Comprehensive (loss) income	18.4	21.2
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Rockwood Holdings, Inc. shareholders	18.4	21.2
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
GUARANTOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Net income	42.7	153.6
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(97.1)	(25.8)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(54.4)	127.8
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	0.7	(18.3)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Rockwood Holdings, Inc. shareholders	(53.7)	109.5
Consolidating Adjustments
GUARANTOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Net income	(81.9)	(235.8)
Other comprehensive (loss) income	199.6	(19.5)
Comprehensive (loss) income	117.7	(255.3)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Rockwood Holdings, Inc. shareholders	$ 117.7	$ (255.3)

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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- Definition

The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the economic entity, including both controlling (parent) and noncontrolling interests. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, including any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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- Definition

Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments, resulting from the process of expressing in the reporting currency of the reporting entity those amounts that are denominated or measured in a different currency, and from transactions whose terms are denominated in a currency other than the entity's functional currency, which is attributable to the parent entity.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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