Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Income before equity in net income of associated companies Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Noncontrolling Interests and Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Deferred compensation and other, net Increase Decrease In Deferred Compensation And Other Net The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the obligation created by employee agreements whereby earned compensation will be paid in the future and other certain items. Restricted insurance receivable The amount received designated as a long term asset and related non current liability and designated as non-cash Non cash gain from purchase of equity affiliate (Gain) loss on the revaluation of a previously held ownership interest in an equity affiliate. Equity Method Investment Realized Gain Loss On Revaluation CEO transition costs Expense recognized for the Company's former CEO's supplemental retirement plan, which relates to the former CEO's retirement. Pension And Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans Liabilities Current This represents the current liability for underfunded plans recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement defined benefit plans. Accrued pension and postretirement benefits Uncertain Tax Positions Non-cash adjustment for the non-deferred portion of the change in liability for uncertain tax positions Uncertain tax positions (non-deferred portion) Uncertain Tax Positions [Text Block] The entire disclosure for uncertain tax positions, including reconciliation of beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefits Other Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block] The entire disclosure for accrued expenses and other liabilities that are classified as current at the end of the reporting period. Equity and Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] Consolidated Statement Of Comprehensive Income And Changes In Equity Parentheticals [Abstract] Accounts receivable, net Accumulated other comprehensive loss Payments related to acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments related to acquisitions, net of cash acquired Capital in excess of par value Amortization Depreciation Asset Retirement Obligations [Text Block] Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - basic Business Acquisition Entity Acquired And Reason For Acquisition [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Interest Paid Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Accounts receivable Accounts receivable Estimated taxes on income Inventories Increase Decrease In Inventories Prepaid expenses and other current assets IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets Prepaid expenses and other current assets Net decrease in short-term borrowings (Decrease) increase in cash from changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of acquisitions: Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Common Stock shares authorized Common Stock shares issued Common stock $1 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2011 12,911,508 shares; 2010 11,492,142 shares Comprehensive income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Cost of goods sold Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Current liabilities Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt Debt [Text Block] Deferred income taxes Current deferred tax assets Current deferred tax liabilities Non-current deferred tax liabilities Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - diluted Investments in Associated Companies [Text Block] Equity in net income of associated companies Effect of exchange rate changes on cash Stock-based compensation Investments in associated companies Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment General Discussion Of Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Abstract] General Discussion Of Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Net income Net income Uncertain Tax Positions [Abstract] Taxes on Income [Text Block] Change in restricted cash, net Change in restricted cash, net Other intangible assets, net Goodwill Interest expense Interest expense Inventories Total liabilities Total liabilities Total liabilities and equity Total liabilities and equity LIABILITIES AND EQUITY Long-term debt Noncontrolling interest Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders Dividends paid to noncontrolling interest Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Cash flows from financing activities Net cash used in investing activities Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities Cash flows from investing activities Net cash provided by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from operating activities Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Other income, net Operating income Operating income Net gain arising during the period, other Currency translation adjustments Amortization of prior service cost Current period changes in fair value of derivatives Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities Dividends paid Dividends paid Distributions to noncontrolling shareholders Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Insurance settlement received and interest earned Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of related expenses Stock options exercised, other Proceeds from long-term debt Proceeds from disposition of assets Property, plant and equipment, net Net property, plant and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract] Investments in property, plant and equipment Capital expenditures Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Text Block] Repayment of long-term debt Repayment of long-term debt Restructuring and related activities Restructuring and Related Activities [Text Block] Retained earnings Net sales Inventories [Text Block] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment Reporting Measurement Disclosures [Abstract] Selling, general and administrative expenses Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Comprehensive Income and Changes in Equity [Abstract] Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises Income Taxes Paid Total current assets Total current assets Current assets Common Stock [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment [Text Block] Total assets Total assets Interest income Other current liabilities Other non-current liabilities Dividends declared Insurance settlement realized Non-current deferred tax assets Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent Statement [Table] Equity in undistributed earnings of associated companies, net of dividends Equity in net (income) loss of associated companies, net of dividends ASSETS Statement [Line Items] Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Transition Asset (Obligation), Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Net of Tax Amortization of initial net asset Property, plant and equipment acquired by capital lease Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Quarterly Results (unaudited) [Text Block] Amortization of actuarial loss Other Noncash Investing And Financing Items [Abstract] Other assets Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Per share data: Non-income tax contingency charge Income before taxes and equity in net income of associated companies Income before taxes and equity in net income of associated companies Common Stock Par Value Total Quaker shareholders equity Total Quaker shareholders equity Taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies Pension and other postretirement benefits Pension and other postretirement benefits Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Equity Component [Domain] Stock offering, net of related expenses Shares issued for empoyee stock purchase plan Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and other