Segment and Geographic Area Information Depreciation and Amortization and Capital Expenditures by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 200,698	$ 196,928	$ 226,169
Capital expenditures	699,991	317,703	196,654
Reportable Segments | Lithium
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	95,193	87,879	86,862
Capital expenditures	500,849	192,318	72,038
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	41,607	40,062	39,562
Capital expenditures	79,357	46,427	46,414
Reportable Segments | Catalysts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	49,131	54,468	51,193
Capital expenditures	52,019	46,808	47,475
All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	8,073	8,357	7,302
Capital expenditures	5,232	3,657	9,251
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	6,694	6,162	6,056
Capital expenditures	62,534	28,493	2,195
Discontinued Operations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	35,194
Capital expenditures	$ 0	$ 0	$ 19,281