Investments Ownership Positions in Significant Unconsolidated (Details)	Dec. 31, 2016		Feb. 01, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Windfield Holdings
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	49.00%			49.00%	0.00%
Nippon Aluminum Alkyls
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%			50.00%	50.00%
Magnifin Magnesiaprodukte GmbH & Co. KG
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	0.00%	[1]	50.00%	50.00%	50.00%
Nippon Ketjen Company Limited
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%			50.00%	50.00%
Eurecat S.A.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%			50.00%	50.00%
Fabrica Carioca de Catalisadores S.A.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%			50.00%	50.00%

[1] 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.