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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Unions [Abstract]      
Percentage of company's U.S. workforce represented by labor unions (in hundredths) 30.00%    
Percentage of company's global workforce represented by labor unions (in hundredths) 50.00%    
Percentage of company's global workforce with collective bargaining agreements expiring in 2012 (in hundredths) 27.00%    
Number of material collective bargaining agreements 9    
Number of collective bargaining agreements expiring in 2012 3    
Number of collective bargaining agreements expiring in 2013 4    
Number of collective bargaining agreements expiring in year 2014 2    
Percentage of workforce employed in Europe (in hundredths) 10.00%    
Future minimum annual rentals [Abstract]      
2012 $ 10.3    
2013 8.6    
2014 6.3    
2015 5.4    
2016 3.9    
Thereafter 19.5    
Total 54.0    
Rental expense, net of sublease income 15.1 13.9 13.4
Royalties [Abstract]      
Royalty expense 14.3 16.2 8.6
Salt [Member]
     
Purchase commitments [Abstract]      
Purchase commitments, description The Company has purchase contracts with three suppliers for a minimum amount of salt and feedstock for SOP production, one of which can be canceled with one year's notice. The purchase commitments for these contracts are estimated to be approximately 32.9 million for 2012 and between 1.7 million and 4.3 million annually from 2013 through 2020. In addition, the Company's other future minimum long-term purchase commitments are estimated to be approximately 0.3 million annually through 2015 and approximately 0.1 million in 2016.    
Purchase commitments for 2012 32.9    
Annual purchase commitments for 2013 through 2020, minimum 1.7    
Annual purchase commitments for 2013 through 2020, maximum 4.3    
Other Purchase Commitments [Member]
     
Purchase commitments [Abstract]      
Purchase commitments for 2012 0.3    
Purchase commitments for 2013 0.3    
Purchase commitments for 2014 0.3    
Purchase commitments for 2015 0.3    
Purchase commitments for 2016 0.1    
Performance Guarantee [Member]
     
Sales contracts [Abstract]      
Guarantor obligations, performance bonds outstanding $ 84.5