Property Plant and Equipment - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Depreciation	$ 180,700	$ 97,900	$ 99,300
Interest capitalized on significant capital projects	11,200	2,400	6,100
Accumulated amortization	1,396,424	1,388,802
Property, plant and equipment under capital lease
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Accumulated amortization	300
Antioxidant, Ibuprofen and Propofol Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Reduction in net assets from business exit or disposal		100,000
Depreciation		$ 2,300	$ 8,600
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment allocated from Rockwood acquistion	$ 1,400,000