Segment and Geographic Area Information Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Footnote) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 12, 2015
Research and development expenses
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Write-off of fixed assets	$ 1.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net (loss) gain on sales of properties	(0.9)
Other income (expenses), net
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net (loss) gain on sales of properties	1.1
Environmental charges	$ 2.4
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Inventory markup				$ 103.4
Utilization of inventory markup		$ 103.4
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Cost of sales
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Utilization of inventory markup		55.9
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Utilization of inventory markup		27.1
Refining Solutions | Fabrica Carioca de Catalisadores S.A.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Unconsolidated investment impairment charges		2.0
Corporate | Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Acquisition financing-related fees		$ 4.4	$ 17.5