Commitments and Contingencies Activity in Recorded Environmental Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of year	$ 31,436	[1]	$ 9,235		$ 16,599
Expenditures	(2,667)		(4,039)		(4,548)
Divestitures	0		(1,826)		(1,954)
Accretion of discount	793		902		0
Additions and revisions of estimates	4,004		150		34
Reclass to liabilities held for sale(a)	0		(5,253)	[2]	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	1,353		(2,359)		(896)
Balance, end of year	31,436	[1]	9,235		16,599	$ 34,919		$ 31,436	[1]	$ 9,235
Less amounts reported in Accrued expenses						2,324		1,443		4,394
Amounts reported in Other noncurrent liabilities						$ 32,595	[3]	$ 29,993	[3]	$ 4,841
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of Rockwood	$ 0		$ 34,626		$ 0

[1] As of December 31, 2015, $3.9 million of environmental liabilities were classified as Liabilities held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 3, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

[2] Represents environmental liabilities of the metal sulfides and minerals-based flame retardants and specialty chemicals businesses. See Note 3, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

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