Summarized Information on Solazyme Bunge JV's Balance Sheets and Income Statements (Detail) (Solazyme Bunge JV [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Solazyme Bunge JV [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Current assets	$ 9,872	$ 7,773
Noncurrent assets	127,346	12,765
Total assets	137,218	20,538
Current liabilities	20,798	3,466
Noncurrent liabilities	90,933
JV's partners' capital	25,487	17,072
Total liabilities and equity, net	137,217	20,538
Net sales
Net losses	$ (16,280)	$ (2,733)