Commitments and Contingencies Activity in Recorded Environmental Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 9,235	$ 16,599	$ 20,322
Expenditures	(4,178)	(4,548)	(3,013)
Acquisitions (divestitures)	(1,826)	(1,954)	0
Accretion of discount	984	0	0
Revisions of estimates	150	34	(902)
Reclass to liabilities held for sale	(5,253)	0	0
Foreign currency translation	(2,480)	(896)	192
Balance, end of year	9,235	16,599	20,322	$ 35,298		$ 9,235		$ 16,599
Less amounts reported in Accrued expenses				1,493		4,394		7,386
Amounts reported in Other noncurrent liabilities				$ 33,805	[1]	$ 4,841	[1]	$ 9,213
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions (divestitures)	$ 38,666	$ 0	$ 0

[1] See Note 17, “Commitments and Contingencies.”