Goodwill and Other Intangibles Changes in Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	$ 1,540,032
Acquisitions	(21,822)	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	26,364
Balance at end of period	1,544,574
Reportable Segments | Lithium and Advanced Materials
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	1,348,261
Acquisitions	(21,822)	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	20,694
Balance at end of period	1,347,133
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	20,319
Acquisitions	0	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0
Balance at end of period	20,319
Reportable Segments | Refining Solutions
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	164,866
Acquisitions	0	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,670
Balance at end of period	170,536
Reportable Segments | All Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance at beginning of period	6,586
Acquisitions	0	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments	0
Balance at end of period	$ 6,586

[1] Primarily represents preliminary purchase price adjustments for the Jiangli New Materials acquisition. See Note 2, “Acquisitions,” for additional information.