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Goodwill and Other Intangibles Changes in Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Balance at beginning of period | $ 2,893,811 | [1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 34,322 |
Balance at end of period | 2,931,293 |
Reportable Segments | Lithium and Advanced Materials |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Balance at beginning of period | 1,267,505 | [1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 13,301 |
Balance at end of period | 1,279,100 |
Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Balance at beginning of period | 20,319 | [1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 0 |
Balance at end of period | 20,319 |
Reportable Segments | Refining Solutions |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Balance at beginning of period | 172,728 | [1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 3,732 |
Balance at end of period | 176,460 |
Reportable Segments | Chemetall Surface Treatment |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Balance at beginning of period | 1,433,259 | [1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 17,289 |
Balance at end of period | 1,455,414 |
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Acquisition of goodwill | 1,492 | [2]
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Reportable Segments | Lithium and Advanced Materials |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Acquisition of goodwill | (1,706) | [2]
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Acquisition of goodwill | 0 | [2]
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Reportable Segments | Refining Solutions |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Acquisition of goodwill | 0 | [2]
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Reportable Segments | Chemetall Surface Treatment |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Acquisition of goodwill | 3,198 | [2]
Other significant projects |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Acquisition of goodwill | 1,668 | [3]
Other significant projects | Reportable Segments | Lithium and Advanced Materials |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Acquisition of goodwill | 0 | [3]
Other significant projects | Reportable Segments | Bromine Specialties |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Acquisition of goodwill | 0 | [3]
Other significant projects | Reportable Segments | Refining Solutions |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Acquisition of goodwill | 0 | [3]
Other significant projects | Reportable Segments | Chemetall Surface Treatment |  |
Goodwill [Roll Forward] |  |
Acquisition of goodwill | $ 1,668 | [3]
[1] | The December 31, 2015 balances have been recast to reflect a change in segments. See Note 12, "Segment Information," for further details.
[2] | Represents final purchase price adjustments for the Rockwood acquisition recorded in the three-month period ended March 31, 2016.
[3] | Represents final purchase price adjustments for the Chemetall Shanghai acquisition recorded in the three-month period ended March 31, 2016.

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