Goodwill and Other Intangibles Changes in Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 2,893,811	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	34,322
Balance at end of period	2,931,293
Reportable Segments | Lithium and Advanced Materials
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	1,267,505	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	13,301
Balance at end of period	1,279,100
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	20,319	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0
Balance at end of period	20,319
Reportable Segments | Refining Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	172,728	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	3,732
Balance at end of period	176,460
Reportable Segments | Chemetall Surface Treatment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	1,433,259	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	17,289
Balance at end of period	1,455,414
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of goodwill	1,492	[2]
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Reportable Segments | Lithium and Advanced Materials
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of goodwill	(1,706)	[2]
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of goodwill	0	[2]
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Reportable Segments | Refining Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of goodwill	0	[2]
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Reportable Segments | Chemetall Surface Treatment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of goodwill	3,198	[2]
Other significant projects
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of goodwill	1,668	[3]
Other significant projects | Reportable Segments | Lithium and Advanced Materials
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of goodwill	0	[3]
Other significant projects | Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of goodwill	0	[3]
Other significant projects | Reportable Segments | Refining Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of goodwill	0	[3]
Other significant projects | Reportable Segments | Chemetall Surface Treatment
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of goodwill	$ 1,668	[3]

[1] The December 31, 2015 balances have been recast to reflect a change in segments. See Note 12, "Segment Information," for further details.

[2] Represents final purchase price adjustments for the Rockwood acquisition recorded in the three-month period ended March 31, 2016.

[3] Represents final purchase price adjustments for the Chemetall Shanghai acquisition recorded in the three-month period ended March 31, 2016.