<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-15-033289.txt : 20151207
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-15-033289.hdr.sgml : 20151207
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20151207100744
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-15-033289
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20151203
FILED AS OF DATE:		20151207
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20151207

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000310142
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	INDUSTRIAL ORGANIC CHEMICALS [2860]
		IRS NUMBER:				390561070
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			WI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE
		CITY:			MILWAUKEE
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53202
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4142716755

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 737
		CITY:			MILWAUKEE
		STATE:			WI
		ZIP:			53201

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	UNIVERSAL FOODS CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HAMMOND JOHN L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001199086

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07626
		FILM NUMBER:		151271580
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2015-12-03</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000310142</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SXT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001199086</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HAMMOND JOHN L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MILWAUKEE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>53202</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Senior VP, Gen Counsel &amp; Secy</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>55568</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Performance Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2015-12-03</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>17000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>17000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>17000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Performance Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>18500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>18500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Performance Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F4"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>11300</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11300</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each performance stock unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of Issuer's Common Stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents grant of performance stock units under Issuer's 2007 Stock Plan. The award is eligible to vest following a three year performance period (from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2018) as follows: (1) 70% of the award is eligible to vest upon achievement of certain performance criteria based on EBIT growth, and (2) 30% of the award is eligible to vest upon achievement of certain performance criteria based on return on invested capital. Subject to certain continued employment conditions and subject to accelerated vesting in certain circumstances, the actual number of shares earned will be determined and vest following the three year performance period. The number of shares reflected is at the target award amount. No performance stock units will vest below a minimum level of performance. At or above the minimum level of performance, the actual number of shares earned may range from 0% to 150% of the target award amount.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents grant of performance stock units under Issuer's 2007 Stock Plan. The award is eligible to vest following a three year performance period (from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017) as follows: (1) 70% of the award is eligible to vest upon achievement of certain performance criteria based on EBIT growth, and (2) 30% of the award is eligible to vest upon achievement of certain performance criteria based on return on invested capital. Subject to certain continued employment conditions and subject to accelerated vesting in certain circumstances, the actual number of shares earned will be determined and vest following the three year performance period. The number of shares
reflected is at the target award amount. No performance stock units will vest below a minimum level of performance. At or above the minimum level of performance, the actual number of shares earned may range from 0% to 150% of the target award amount.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Represents grant of performance stock units under Issuer's 2007 Stock Plan. The award is eligible to vest following a two year performance period (from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2015) as follows: (1) 70% of the award is eligible to vest upon achievement of certain performance criteria based on EBIT growth, and (2) 30% of the award is eligible to vest upon achievement of certain performance criteria based on return on invested capital. Subject to certain continued employment conditions and subject to accelerated vesting in certain circumstances, the actual number of shares earned will be determined following the two year performance period and will vest on the third anniversary of the original grant date. The number of shares reflected is at the target award amount. No performance stock units will vest below a minimum level of performance. At or above the minimum level of performance, the actual number of shares earned may range from 50% to 150% of the target award amount.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ John L. Hammond</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-12-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
