Segment and Related Information, by Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 02, 2016	Jul. 03, 2016	Apr. 03, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 401.3	$ 399.5	$ 427.0	$ 410.2	$ 429.9	$ 451.0	$ 463.4	$ 453.3	$ 1,638.0	$ 1,797.6	$ 1,725.0
Paper PCC [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									387.9	423.3	454.5
Specialty PCC [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									64.3	64.8	66.1
Talc [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									55.7	55.9	55.5
Ground Calcium Carbonate [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									83.6	80.6	74.0
Refractory Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									219.0	230.7	273.9
Metallurgical Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									55.5	65.2	85.8
Metalcasting [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									258.0	266.4	181.4
Household, Personal Care and Specialty Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									171.2	172.7	108.0
Basic Minerals and Other Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									73.6	75.7	63.4
Environmental Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									78.9	69.7	70.7
Building Materials and Other Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									104.4	110.4	81.6
Energy Services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 85.9	$ 182.2	$ 210.1