Commitments and Contingencies Activity in Recorded Asset Retirement Obligations (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 15,085	$ 16,930
Liabilities incurred	3,636	0
Accretion of discount	1,289	323
Liabilities settled	0	(333)
Divestitures	0	(1,816)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(45)	(19)
Balance, end of year	15,085	16,930	$ 37,230
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Liabilities incurred	$ 17,265	$ 0