Segment and Related Information, by Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 429.9	$ 451.0	$ 463.4	$ 453.3	$ 516.0	$ 543.5	$ 421.1	$ 244.4	$ 1,797.6	$ 1,725.0	$ 1,018.2
Paper PCC [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									423.3	454.5	480.0
Specialty PCC [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									64.8	66.1	67.2
Talc [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									55.9	55.5	50.9
Ground Calcium Carbonate [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									80.6	74.0	71.7
Refractory Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									230.7	273.9	264.0
Metallurgical Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									65.2	85.8	84.4
Metalcasting [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									266.4	181.4	0.0
Household, Personal Care and Specialty Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									172.7	108.0	0.0
Basic Minerals and Other Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									75.7	63.4	0.0
Environmental Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									69.7	70.7	0.0
Building Materials and Other Products [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									110.4	81.6	0.0
Energy Services [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 182.2	$ 210.1	$ 0.0