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Segment and Geographic Area Information Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Footnote) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2014 | Jan. 12, 2015
Research and development expenses |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Write-off of fixed assets | $ 1.4 |  |  |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Net (loss) gain on sales of properties | (0.9) |  |  |
Other income (expenses), net |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Net (loss) gain on sales of properties | 1.1 |  |  |
Environmental charges | $ 2.4 |  |  |
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Inventory markup |  |  |  | $ 103.4
Utilization of inventory markup |  | $ 103.4 |  |
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Cost of sales |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Utilization of inventory markup |  | 55.9 |  |
Rockwood Holdings, Inc. | Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Utilization of inventory markup |  | 27.1 |  |
Refining Solutions | Fabrica Carioca de Catalisadores S.A. |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Unconsolidated investment impairment charges |  | 2.0 |  |
Corporate | Rockwood Holdings, Inc. |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |
Acquisition financing-related fees |  | $ 4.4 | $ 17.5 |

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