Goodwill and Other Intangibles Other Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance		$ 473,571		$ 129,873
Reclass to assets held for sale	[1]			(72,122)
Reclass from assets held for sale	[2]	1,454
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		(13,340)		(28,740)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance		461,685		473,571		$ 129,873
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance		(89,703)		(85,748)
Amortization		(19,039)		(16,919)		(5,700)
Reclass to assets held for sale	[1]			5,798
Reclass from assets held for sale	[2]	(1,322)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		2,943		7,166
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance		(107,121)		(89,703)		(85,748)
Net Book Value		354,564		383,868	[3]
Customer lists and relationships
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance		398,725		48,479
Reclass to assets held for sale	[1]			(16,608)
Reclass from assets held for sale	[2]	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		(10,832)		(19,476)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance		387,893		398,725		48,479
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance		(32,656)		(22,931)
Amortization		(18,034)		(11,441)
Reclass to assets held for sale	[1]			596
Reclass from assets held for sale	[2]	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		1,525		1,120
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance		(49,165)		(32,656)		(22,931)
Net Book Value		338,728		366,069	[3]
Trade names and trademarks
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance		16,923	[4]	17,555
Reclass to assets held for sale	[1]			0
Reclass from assets held for sale	[2]	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		(409)		(632)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance		16,514	[4]	16,923	[4]	17,555
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance		(8,086)		(7,912)
Amortization		0		(423)
Reclass to assets held for sale	[1]			0
Reclass from assets held for sale	[2]	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		134		249
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance		(7,952)		(8,086)		(7,912)
Net Book Value		8,562		8,837	[3]
Patents and technology
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance		40,144		40,398
Reclass to assets held for sale	[1]			(54,060)
Reclass from assets held for sale	[2]	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		(1,710)		(4,424)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance		38,434		40,144		40,398
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance		(32,008)		(32,831)
Amortization		(574)		(4,654)
Reclass to assets held for sale	[1]			3,880
Reclass from assets held for sale	[2]	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		899		1,597
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance		(31,683)		(32,008)		(32,831)
Net Book Value		6,751		8,136	[3]
Other
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance		17,779		23,441
Reclass to assets held for sale	[1]			(1,454)
Reclass from assets held for sale	[2]	1,454
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		(389)		(4,208)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance		18,844		17,779		23,441
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance		(16,953)		(22,074)
Amortization		(431)		(401)
Reclass to assets held for sale	[1]			1,322
Reclass from assets held for sale	[2]	(1,322)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other		385		4,200
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance		(18,321)		(16,953)		$ (22,074)
Net Book Value		$ 523		826	[3]
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of Rockwood				444,560
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Customer lists and relationships
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of Rockwood				386,330
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Trade names and trademarks
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of Rockwood				0
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Patents and technology
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of Rockwood				58,230
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Other
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Acquisition of Rockwood				$ 0

[1] Represents Other intangibles and related amortization of the minerals-based flame retardants and specialty chemicals, fine chemistry services and metal sulfides businesses. See Note 3, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

[2] Represents Other intangibles and related amortization of the fine chemistry services business, which was reported in Assets held for sale on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015, but reclassified back to Other intangibles during the year end December 31, 2016. See Note 3, “Divestitures,” for additional information.

[3] As of December 31, 2015, $1.4 billion of Other intangibles, net of amortization were classified as Assets held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 3 “Divestitures,” for additional information.

[4] Balances as of December 31, 2015 and 2016 include only indefinite-lived intangible assets.