Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	$ 371,993	$ 369,371	$ 1,116,439	$ 1,102,808
Total revenue	387,703	384,610	1,161,927	1,150,529
Operating income (loss)	48,790	50,701	133,806	151,488
Interest expense	4,048	4,483	12,317	13,236
Earnings before income taxes	44,742	46,218	121,489	138,252
Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	15,710	15,239	45,488	47,721
Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	216,826	215,306	643,583	628,647
Total revenue	226,270	224,699	671,229	658,348
Operating income (loss)	31,759	31,810	93,240	94,334
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	31,759	31,810	93,240	94,334
Flavors & Fragrances [Member] \| Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	9,444	9,393	27,646	29,701
Color [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	118,153	116,539	361,810	366,624
Total revenue	123,854	122,102	378,321	383,599
Operating income (loss)	26,833	24,211	80,516	76,547
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	26,833	24,211	80,516	76,547
Color [Member] \| Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	5,701	5,563	16,511	16,975
Corporate & Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	37,014	37,526	111,046	107,537
Total revenue	37,579	37,809	112,377	108,582
Operating income (loss)	(9,802)	(5,320)	(39,950)	(19,393)
Interest expense	4,048	4,483	12,317	13,236
Earnings before income taxes	(13,850)	(9,803)	(52,267)	(32,629)
Corporate & Other [Member] \| Intersubsegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 565	$ 283	$ 1,331	$ 1,045

Sum of operating profit and nonoperating income or expense before Income or Loss from equity method investments, income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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