Segment and Geographic Area Information Depreciation and Amortization and Capital Expenditures by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 196,928	$ 226,169	$ 260,076
Capital expenditures	317,703	196,654	227,649
All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	8,357	7,302	18,183
Capital expenditures	3,657	9,251	13,054
Reportable Segments | Lithium and Advanced Materials
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	102,389	101,966	84,069
Capital expenditures	207,410	91,967	104,344
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	40,062	39,562	36,179
Capital expenditures	46,427	46,414	54,994
Reportable Segments | Refining Solutions
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	39,958	36,089	34,039
Capital expenditures	31,716	27,546	28,836
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	6,162	6,056	8,703
Capital expenditures	28,493	2,195	2,683
Discontinued Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	0	35,194	78,903
Capital expenditures	$ 0	$ 19,281	$ 23,738