Investments in Joint Ventures and Related Party Transactions - Summary of Carrying Amounts of Assets and Fair Value of Liabilities Included in Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet and Maximum Loss Exposure in VIE (Detail) - USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable		$ 3,552,000		$ 4,598,000
Investment in Solazyme Bunge JV		35,910,000		40,934,000
Solazyme Bunge JV
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable		12,000		446,000
Unbilled Revenues		839,000		2,435,000
Investment in Solazyme Bunge JV		35,910,000		40,934,000
Loan Guarantee		0		0
Maximum Exposure to Loss		45,692,000	[1]	57,618,000	[2]
Purchase Obligation				600,000
Solazyme Bunge JV | Bank Guarantees
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Maximum Exposure to Loss	[1]	$ 8,900,000		$ 13,200,000

[1] Includes maximum exposure to loss attributable to the Company’s bank guarantee required to be provided for the Solazyme Bunge JV of $8.9 million (based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2015)

[2] Includes maximum exposure to loss attributable to the Company’s bank guarantee required to be provided for the Solazyme Bunge JV of $13.2 million and non-cancelable purchase obligations of $0.6 million (based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2014).