Segment and Geographic Area Information Identifiable Assets and Goodwill by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	$ 7,581,674	$ 7,750,772	$ 8,161,207
Goodwill	1,567,169	1,610,355	1,540,032
Reportable Segments | Lithium
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	4,605,070	3,979,615	3,499,302
Goodwill	1,354,779	1,389,089	1,326,980
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	753,157	745,007	724,218
Goodwill	20,319	20,319	20,319
Reportable Segments | Catalysts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	1,134,975	1,332,599	1,224,504
Goodwill	185,485	194,361	186,147
All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	128,185	126,486	130,595
Goodwill	6,586	6,586	6,586
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	960,287	1,567,065	$ 2,582,588
Immaterial Error Correction | Reportable Segments | Lithium
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets	$ 238,500
Immaterial Error Correction | Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Identifiable assets		$ 238,500