Segment and Geographic Area Information Depreciation and Amortization and Capital Expenditures by Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	$ 213,484	$ 200,698	$ 196,928
Capital expenditures	851,796	699,991	317,703
Reportable Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	197,179	185,931	182,409
Reportable Segments | Lithium
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	99,424	95,193	87,879
Capital expenditures	665,585	500,849	192,318
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	47,611	41,607	40,062
Capital expenditures	82,208	79,357	46,427
Reportable Segments | Catalysts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	50,144	49,131	54,468
Capital expenditures	57,939	52,019	46,808
All Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	8,440	8,073	8,357
Capital expenditures	7,309	5,232	3,657
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization	7,865	6,694	6,162
Capital expenditures	$ 38,755	$ 62,534	$ 28,493