Commitments and Contingencies Activity in Recorded Environmental Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 9,235
Expenditures	(2,526)
Accretion of discount	710
Revisions of estimates	9
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(1,628)
Balance at end of period	9,235	$ 39,341
Less amounts reported in Accrued expenses		3,085
Amounts reported in Other noncurrent liabilities		$ 36,256
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions and divestitures	35,367
Avonmouth UK Site
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions and divestitures	$ (1,826)