Goodwill and Other Intangibles Changes in Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 1,610,355	$ 1,540,032
Reclass to assets held for sale		(14,422)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(43,186)	110,896
Goodwill, Ending Balance	1,567,169	1,610,355
All Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	6,586	6,586
Reclass to assets held for sale		0
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	0	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	6,586	6,586
Reportable Segments \| Lithium
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	1,389,089	1,326,980
Reclass to assets held for sale		0
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(34,310)	88,260
Goodwill, Ending Balance	1,354,779	1,389,089
Reportable Segments \| Bromine Specialties
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	20,319	20,319
Reclass to assets held for sale		0
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	0	0
Goodwill, Ending Balance	20,319	20,319
Reportable Segments \| Catalysts
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	194,361	186,147
Reclass to assets held for sale		(14,422)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(8,876)	22,636
Goodwill, Ending Balance	185,485	194,361
Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd.
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions		(26,151)
Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd. \| All Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions		0
Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd. \| Reportable Segments \| Lithium
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$ 83,100
Acquisitions		(26,151)
Goodwill, Ending Balance		83,100
Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd. \| Reportable Segments \| Bromine Specialties
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions		0
Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd. \| Reportable Segments \| Catalysts
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions		$ 0

Amount after accumulated impairment loss of an asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized.

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