CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income including noncontrolling interest	$ 1,247.1	$ 1,017.2	$ 1,222.2
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Foreign currency translation	(230.4)	(626.8)	(350.3)
Gain (loss) on net investment hedges	(2.5)	101.3	34.7
Reclassification associated with Venezuelan entities		2.4
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	(232.9)	(523.1)	(315.6)
Derivatives and hedging instruments	(17.5)	11.7	3.9
Pension and postretirement benefits
Current period net actuarial income (loss)	(102.3)	(2.3)	(354.8)
Pension and postretirement prior period service costs and benefits adjustments	7.7	4.5	(0.6)
Amortization of net actuarial loss and prior service cost included in net periodic pension and postretirement costs	20.2	33.6	12.1
Postretirement benfits changes	33.9
Reclassification associated with Venezuelan entities		2.2
Total pension and postretirement benefits	(40.5)	38.0	(343.3)
Subtotal	(290.9)	(473.4)	(655.0)
Total comprehensive income, including noncontrolling interest	956.2	543.8	567.2
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	16.2	13.1	11.1
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Ecolab	$ 940.0	$ 530.7	$ 556.1