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SPECIAL (GAINS) AND CHARGES - Restructuring and Non-Restructuring Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2020 | Sep. 30, 2020 | Jun. 30, 2020 | Mar. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Sep. 30, 2019 | Jun. 30, 2019 | Mar. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019 | Dec. 31, 2018
Restructuring |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recorded expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 41.8 | $ 113.0 | $ 84.4
Net cash payments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (57.8) | (74.2) | (23.3)
Non-cash charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (7.8) | (3.4) | (0.0)
Effect of foreign currency translation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.1 | (0.5) | (0.5)
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring liability | $ 71.8 |  |  |  | $ 95.5 |  |  |  | 71.8 | 95.5 | 60.6
Restructuring Costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7.8 | 29.9 | 40.2
Other special gains and charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 28.0
Other special gains and charges, after-tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 21.2
ChampionX Separation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7.2 |  |
Special (gains) and charges | 59.3 | $ 35.0 | $ 69.4 | $ 15.9 | 31.4 | $ 24.9 | $ 24.4 | $ 39.5 | 179.6 | 120.2 | 112.7
Non-restructuring Special (Gains) and Charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt refinancing charges, net of tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 64.0 |  |
C O V I D 19 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-restructuring Special (Gains) and Charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Expenses Incurred To Pay Employees Impacted By Pandemic |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 57.1 |  |
Net charges (gains) related to the pandemic |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 27.4 |  |
Medical charges and testing fee |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2.4 |  |
Gain from government subsidy |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (23.4) |  |
Special (gains) and charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges incurred, pre-tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 71.4 | 93.2 | 75.9
Business combination advisory and legal fees, pre tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8.5 | 5.6 | 8.8
Business combination advisory and legal fees, after tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 6.9 | 4.1 | 6.1
Other special gains and charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 34.7 | 21.4 | 28.0
Other, Ecolab Foundation, pre-tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25.0
Other, Ecolab Foundation, after tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 18.9
Special (gains) and charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 179.6 | 120.2 | 112.7
Disposal And Impairment Activities |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 41.4 |  |
Disposal And Impairment charges, after tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 41.5 |  |
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 28.6 |  |
Special (gains) and charges | Holchem |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (12.8) |  |
Non-restructuring Special (Gains) and Charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Gain (loss) on sale of business, before tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (12.8) |  |
Gain (loss) on sale of business, net of tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (12.9) |  |
Cost of sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges incurred, pre-tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7.4 | 20.4 | 5.4
Business combination advisory and legal fees, pre tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.9 | 7.6 | (0.6)
Other special gains and charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 24.4 | 10.5 |
Special (gains) and charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 48.2 | 38.5 | 4.8
Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business combination advisory and legal fees, pre tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.3
Business combination advisory and legal fees, after tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.1 | 0.2
Special (gains) and charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 83.8 | 0.2 | 0.3
Non-restructuring Special (Gains) and Charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt refinancing charges, pre-tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 83.1 |  |
Debt refinancing charges, net of tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 64.0 |  |
Specific Legal Reserve And Related Legal Charges [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other special gains and charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 34.7 | 21.4 |
Other special gains and charges, after-tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 33.9 | 16.2 |
Other (income) expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Special (gains) and charges | 0.4 |  |  |  | 9.5 |  |  |  | 0.4 | 9.5 |
Special (gains) and charges, net of tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.4 |  |
Bioquell | Interest expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business combination advisory and legal fees, after tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.6 |  |
Employee termination costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recorded expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 29.5 | 102.3 | 80.2
Net cash payments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (56.8) | (65.3) | (22.2)
Effect of foreign currency translation |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.1 | (0.5) | (0.5)
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring liability | 66.8 |  |  |  | 94.0 |  |  |  | 66.8 | 94.0 | 57.5
Asset disposals |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recorded expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7.8 | 0.2 |
Net cash payments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.2 |
Non-cash charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (7.8) | (1.4) |
Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recorded expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 4.5 | 10.5 | 4.2
Net cash payments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (1.0) | (10.1) | (1.1)
Non-cash charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (2.0) |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring liability | 5.0 |  |  |  | 1.5 |  |  |  | 5.0 | 1.5 | 3.1
Product and sold equipment | Cost of sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Business combination advisory and legal fees, pre tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.9 | 7.6 |
Business combination advisory and legal fees, after tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.2 | 5.6 |
Other special gains and charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 24.4 | 10.5 |
Other special gains and charges, after-tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 16.0 | 7.1 |
Special (gains) and charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 39.3 | 38.5 | 4.8
Service and lease equipment | Cost of sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Special (gains) and charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8.9 |  |
Institutional Advancement Program |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recorded expense (income) and accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 35.2 |  |
Recorded expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 35.2 |  |
Net cash payments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (10.5) |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charge expected to be incurred, pre-tax | 80.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 80.0 |  |
Restructuring charge expected to be incurred, after tax | 60.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 60.0 |  |
Expected savings | 50.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 50.0 |  |
Restructuring charges, after tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 26.4 |  |
Restructuring liability | 24.7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 24.7 |  |
Institutional Advancement Program | Employee termination costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recorded expense (income) and accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 25.6 |  |
Net cash payments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (0.9) |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring liability | 24.7 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 24.7 |  |
Institutional Advancement Program | Other |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recorded expense (income) and accrual |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9.6 |  |
Net cash payments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (9.6) |  |
Accelerate 2020 Restructuring Plan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charge expected to be incurred, pre-tax | 255.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 255.0 |  |
Restructuring charge expected to be incurred, after tax | 195.0 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 195.0 |  |
Accelerate 2020 Restructuring Plan | Special (gains) and charges |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recorded expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 41.8 | 113.0 | 84.4
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, after tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 33.0 | 86.5 | 64.3
Restructuring liability | 71.8 |  |  |  | 95.5 |  |  |  | 71.8 | 95.5 |
Restructuring charges incurred to date, pre-tax | 239.2 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 239.2 |  |
Restructuring charges incurred to date, after-tax | 183.8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 183.8 |  |
Pension settlements and curtailments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.3 | 2.0 |
Pension settlements and curtailments, after tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 0.2 | 1.5 |
Other Restructuring Plan |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recorded expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.8 |  |
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, after tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.2 |  |
Prior Year Plans |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Recorded expense |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3.1
Other restructuring information |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring charges, after tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2.4
Restructuring liability | $ 5.9 |  |  |  | $ 7.7 |  |  |  | 5.9 | 7.7 |
Restructuring net gain |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1.5 |
Restructuring net gain, net of tax |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 1.1 |
Cash payments |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2.7 |  |

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- Definition Represents the acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination, which have been expensed during the period, net of tax. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of cash activity as the result of exit or disposal activities. May include cash proceeds, but excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Charges associated with debt refinancing. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Charges associated with debt refinancing, net of tax. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The amount of disposal and impairment related expenses incurred during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The amount of disposal and impairment related expenses net of tax incurred during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount after tax of gain (loss) recognized on the sale or disposal of a disposal group. Excludes discontinued operations. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The amount of expenses incurred to pay certain employees impacted by pandemic. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition The amount of medical charges and testing fee related to unusual and infrequent events during the reporting period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of other expense (income), net of tax, that is infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature. + References No definition available. + Details
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- References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the after-tax restructuring charge, which the entity expects to incur over a period under the restructuring plan and other cost savings actions. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of costs incurred to date for the specified restructuring cost, net of tax. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the pre-tax net gain charged to the accrued restructuring reserves or earnings during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the after-tax net gain charged to the accrued restructuring reserves or earnings during the period. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount of restructuring charges, including accrual adjustment. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs net of taxes. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount charged to special gains and charges, other, for commitments to the Ecolab Foundation. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition Represents the amount after-tax charged to special gains and charges, other, for commitments to the Ecolab Foundation. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents costs associated with pension settlements and curtailments related to the planned spin-off of a division of the entity. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents costs associated with pension settlements and curtailments related to the planned spin-off of a division of the entity. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents costs associated with the planned spin-off of a division of the entity. + References No definition available. + Details
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- Definition This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 805 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 23 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116868678&loc=d3e1043-128460 + Details
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- Definition Amount before tax of gain (loss) recognized on the sale or disposal of a disposal group. Excludes discontinued operations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226348&loc=d3e2443-110228 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109226691&loc=d3e2941-110230 + Details
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- Definition This item represents an other than temporary decline in value that has been recognized against an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the investment represents the amount of the write down which is or was reflected in earnings. The written down value is a new cost basis with the adjusted value of the investment becoming its new carrying value subject to the equity accounting method. Evidence of a loss in value might include, but would not necessarily be limited to, absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment or inability of the investee to sustain an earnings capacity which would justify the carrying amount of the investment. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 32 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121548190&loc=d3e32787-111569 + Details
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