Investments (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Investments [Abstract]

Investment Balances

The following table details our investment balances at December 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Joint ventures(a)	$	429,794	$	411,119
Nonmarketable securities	169		208
Marketable equity securities	27,570		24,257
Total	$	457,533	$	435,584

(a) Balance at December 31, 2015 excludes our investment in Magnifin Magnesiaprodukte GmbH & Co. KG (“Magnifin”) and two investments included in the sale of the Chemetall Surface Treatment business, which are included in Assets held for sale. Refer to Note 3, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

Ownership Positions in Significant Unconsolidated Investments

Our ownership positions in significant unconsolidated investments are shown below:

		December 31,
		2016		2015		2014
*	Windfield Holdings Pty. Ltd. - a joint venture with Sichuan Tianqi Lithium Industries, Inc., that mines lithium ore and produces lithium concentrate	49	%	49	%	—	%
*	Nippon Aluminum Alkyls - a joint venture with Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. that produces aluminum alkyls	50	%	50	%	50	%
*	Magnifin Magnesiaprodukte GmbH & Co. KG - a joint venture with Radex Heraklith Industriebeteiligung AG that produces specialty magnesium hydroxide products(a)	—	%	50	%	50	%
*	Nippon Ketjen Company Limited - a joint venture with Sumitomo Metal Mining Company Limited that produces refinery catalysts	50	%	50	%	50	%
*	Eurecat S.A. - a joint venture with IFP Investissements for refinery catalysts regeneration services	50	%	50	%	50	%
*	Fábrica Carioca de Catalisadores S.A. - a joint venture with Petrobras Quimica S.A. - PETROQUISA that produces catalysts and includes catalysts research and product development activities	50	%	50	%	50	%

(a) On February 1, 2016, we sold our investment in Magnifin as part of the sale of the minerals-based flame retardants and specialty chemicals business. Refer to Note 3, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

Summary of Assets, Liabilities and Results of Operations for Significant Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

The following summary lists our assets, liabilities and results of operations for our significant unconsolidated joint ventures presented herein (in thousands):

	December 31,
	2016		2015
Summary of Balance Sheet Information:
Current assets	$	383,203	$	331,630
Noncurrent assets	913,643		935,790
Total assets	$	1,296,846	$	1,267,420
Current liabilities	$	138,474	$	106,966
Noncurrent liabilities	319,801		339,604
Total liabilities	$	458,275	$	446,570

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Summary of Statements of Income Information:
Net sales	$	590,980	$	560,376	$	499,394
Gross profit	$	267,241	$	253,569	$	164,063
Income before income taxes	$	189,016	$	157,501	$	101,983
Net income	$	126,872	$	111,491	$	71,466