Supplemental Cash Flow Information Footnote (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Cash Flow Supplemental Disclosures [Line Items]
Gain on sales of businesses, net		$ 0	$ 0	$ 974	$ 121,324	$ 0	$ 122,298	$ 0
Foreign earnings repatriated						42,500	308,400	1,400,000
Transition tax on foreign earnings						394,900
Foreign currency exchange rate losses (gains)						11,100	$ 40,800	(70,700)
Rockwood Holdings, Inc.
Cash Flow Supplemental Disclosures [Line Items]
Foreign earnings repatriated								111,000
Chemetall Surface Treatment
Cash Flow Supplemental Disclosures [Line Items]
Gain on sales of businesses, net						$ 257,000
Working capital settlement	$ 6,900							$ 7,600