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Segment Information - Summarized Financial Information by Reportable Segments (Footnote) (Details) $ in Thousands, € in Millions | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2017 EUR (€) | Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 | Feb. 01, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Acquisition and integration related costs | $ 4,305 | $ 5,635 |  |  | $ 13,016 | $ 26,395 |  |
Charitable contribution |  |  |  |  | 15,000 |  |  |
Utilization of inventory markup |  | 568 |  |  |  | 23,095 |  |
Restructuring and other | 3,724 |  |  |  | 3,724 | 17,141 |  |
Repayments of long-term debt |  |  |  |  | 0 | 753,209 |  |
Repayment of debt premium |  |  | $ 45,200 |  |  |  |  |
Loss on extinguishment of debt |  |  |  |  | 0 | 52,801 |  |
Jiangxi Jiangli New Materials Science and Technology Co. Ltd. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Inventory markup |  | 23,100 |  |  |  | 23,100 |  |
Sales de Magnesio Ltda. |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of equity interests acquired |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 50.00%
Cost of goods sold |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Acquisition and integration related costs | 900 | 1,800 |  |  | 2,900 | 12,500 |  |
Write-off of fixed assets at JBC | 3,800 |  |  |  | 4,900 |  |  |
Utilization of inventory markup |  | 600 |  |  |  | 23,100 |  |
Reversal of a liability from an abandoned project |  | 1,300 |  |  |  | 1,300 |  |
Restructuring and other |  |  |  |  |  | 2,900 |  |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Acquisition and integration related costs | 3,400 | 3,800 |  |  | 10,200 | 13,900 |  |
Gain related to a refund form Chilean authorities | 100 |  |  |  | 1,500 |  |  |
Charitable contribution | 1,200 |  |  |  | 1,200 |  |  |
Reversal of purchase accounting accrual |  |  |  |  |  | 1,000 |  |
Restructuring and other |  |  |  |  |  | 8,400 |  |
Other expenses, net |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revision of previously recorded expenses of a disposed business | $ 200 |  |  |  | 800 | 1,100 |  |
Environmental charges related to a site formerly owned by Albemarle |  |  |  |  | $ 15,600 |  |  |
Loss on sale of properties |  | (1,100) |  |  |  |  |  |
Revision of tax indemnification expense |  | $ 700 |  |  |  | 1,900 |  |
Asset retirement obligation charges |  |  |  |  |  | 3,200 |  |
Losses related to previously disposed businesses |  |  |  |  |  | 4,100 |  |
Research and development expenses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Restructuring and other |  |  |  |  |  | $ 5,800 |  |
3.00% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate |  |  | 3.00% | 3.00% |  |  |  |
1.875% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 1.875% |  | 1.875% | 1.875% | 1.875% |  | 1.875% |
4.50% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Debt instrument, interest rate | 4.50% |  | 4.50% | 4.50% | 4.50% |  | 4.50% |
Senior Notes | 1.875% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of long-term debt | € |  |  |  | € 307.0 |  |  |  |
Senior Notes | 4.50% Senior Notes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Repayments of long-term debt |  |  | $ 174,700 |  |  |  |  |

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