Pension (Accumulated Benefit Obligation in Excess of Plan Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and SERP
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	$ 333,428	$ 53,908
Accumulated benefit obligation	322,802	45,810
Fair value of plan assets	277,389	10,715
U.S. Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	289,157	11,238
Accumulated benefit obligation	289,157	11,238
Fair value of plan assets	276,914	7,744
Non-U.S. Plans
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Projected benefit obligation	44,271	42,670
Accumulated benefit obligation	33,645	34,572
Fair value of plan assets	$ 475	$ 2,971

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanDisclosureLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

If aggregate disclosures are presented, the aggregate pension accumulated benefit obligation for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of the measurement date of each statement of financial position presented.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 55

-Paragraph 17

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34716465&loc=d3e4179-114921

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 715

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35743120&loc=d3e2417-114920

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateAccumulatedBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

If aggregate disclosures are presented, the aggregate fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of the measurement date of each statement of financial position presented.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateFairValueOfPlanAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

If aggregate disclosures are presented, the aggregate projected benefit obligation for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets as of the measurement date of each statement of financial position presented.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanPensionPlansWithAccumulatedBenefitObligationsInExcessOfPlanAssetsAggregateProjectedBenefitObligation
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=lby_DefinedBenefitPensionPlansAndSupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=lby_UnitedStatesPensionPlansOfUsEntityAndSupplementalEmployeeRetirementPlanDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansDisclosuresDefinedBenefitPlansAxis=us-gaap_ForeignPensionPlansDefinedBenefitMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: