Investment in SB Oils JV - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended										12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2016		Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015		Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016		Dec. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014	Apr. 02, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Amount of capital contributed to joint venture														$ 19,342		$ 22,344		$ 32,550
Equity method investments		$ 43,856					$ 35,910							43,856		35,910
Loss from equity method investments		(5,783)		$ (6,378)	$ (5,358)	$ (4,872)	(4,098)		$ (5,916)	$ (7,309)	$ (5,066)			(22,391)		(22,389)		(23,037)
Product revenues		617		$ 709	$ 856	$ 1,301	2,045		$ 2,251	$ 3,116	$ 2,610			3,483		10,022		12,917
Solazyme Bunge JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Maximum exposure to loss		54,162	[1]				45,692	[2]						54,162	[1]	45,692	[2]
Capital contribution to unconsolidated joint venture settled with reduction of receivable														4,204		5,480		15,300
Equity method investments		42,373					35,910							42,373		35,910
Loss from equity method investments														(22,300)		(22,400)		$ (23,000)
Product revenues														$ 10,000
Fair value inputs, discount rate														14.00%
Solazyme Bunge JV | Brazilian Development Bank
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Term of loan														8 years
Approval for project financing, maximum borrowing		75,400												$ 75,400
Outstanding balance under the credit facility		$ 52,600					53,400							$ 52,600		53,400
Average interest rate on loan (percent)		4.00%												4.00%
Solazyme Bunge JV | Bank Guarantees
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Maximum exposure to loss	[1]	$ 10,800					$ 8,900							$ 10,800		$ 8,900
Solazyme Bunge JV | Guarantees One | Brazilian Development Bank
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of loan amount available		14.39%												14.39%
Solazyme Bunge JV | Guarantees Two | Brazilian Development Bank
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of loan amount available		35.71%												35.71%
Parent Company | Solazyme Bunge JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Percentage of ownership interest owned																			50.10%
Scenario, Forecast | Solazyme Bunge JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Product revenues												$ 200,000
Capital expenditure													$ 3,000
Fair value inputs, percentage less than forecast													37.00%
Fair value inputs, contribution margin, percent less than forecast													47.00%
Fair value inputs, discount rate													20.00%
Minimum | Scenario, Forecast | Solazyme Bunge JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Additional capital expenditures													$ 20,000
Maximum | Scenario, Forecast | Solazyme Bunge JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Additional capital expenditures													$ 30,000

[1] Includes maximum exposure to loss attributable to our bank guarantee required to be provided for the SB Oils JV of $10.8 million and non-cancelable purchase obligations of $0.9 million (based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2016)

[2] Includes maximum exposure to loss attributable to our bank guarantee required to be provided for the SB Oils JV of $8.9 million (based on the exchange rate at December 31, 2015).