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Accounting policies (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment Useful Life [Table Text Block] | Rates are determined based on the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
Buildings |  | 5 to 40 years
Plant and equipment |  | 4 to 40 years
Distribution system |  | 3 to 40 years
Office furniture, fixtures and equipment |  | 3 to 10 years
Vehicles |  | 3 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements |  | Shorter of 5 years or lease term
Lab equipment |  | 5 to 10 years
Estimated Fair value Of Reporting Segment [Table Text Block] | The respective weightings the Company applied to each method as of December 31, 2016 were consistent with those used as of December 31, 2015 and were as follows:
Method |  | Retail |  |  | Bulk |
Discounted cash flow |  |  | 50 | % |  |  | 50 | %
Subject company stock price |  |  | 30 | % |  |  | 30 | %
Guideline public company |  |  | 10 | % |  |  | 10 | %
Mergers and acquisitions |  |  | 10 | % |  |  | 10 | %
|  |  | 100 | % |  |  | 100 | %

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