Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Components of net annual benefit cost (income):
Voluntary cash contributions made to U.S. defined benefit pension plan	$ 0
Expected voluntary cash contributions	30,000,000
Pensions
Components of net annual benefit cost (income):
Service cost	1,700,000	$ 2,100,000
Interest cost	11,400,000	11,400,000
Expected return on plan assets	(15,800,000)	(19,900,000)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	100,000	200,000
Recognized net actuarial and other (gain) loss	4,100,000	4,000,000
Recognized loss due to settlement	(900,000)	0
Net periodic benefit cost	2,400,000	(2,200,000)
Other Benefits
Components of net annual benefit cost (income):
Service cost	0	0
Interest cost	100,000	200,000
Expected return on plan assets	0	0
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	0	0
Recognized net actuarial and other (gain) loss	(200,000)	(300,000)
Recognized loss due to settlement	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$ (100,000)	(100,000)
FMC Health and Nutrition | Discontinued Operations, Disposed of by Sale
Components of net annual benefit cost (income):
Pension curtailment charge		$ 3,900,000.0