Segment and Geographic Area Information Identifiable Assets and Goodwill by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	$ 7,750,772	$ 8,161,207	$ 9,597,954
Goodwill	1,610,355	1,540,032	1,460,552
All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	126,486	130,595	517,695
Goodwill	6,586	6,586	0
Reportable Segments | Lithium and Advanced Materials
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	4,057,242	3,809,883	3,658,669
Goodwill	1,396,140	1,348,261	1,267,505
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	745,007	724,218	699,929
Goodwill	20,319	20,319	20,319
Reportable Segments | Refining Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	1,016,519	913,923	937,445
Goodwill	187,310	164,866	172,728
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	1,805,518	2,582,588	575,314
Discontinued Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 3,208,902