CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales revenue	$ 334,543	$ 375,756	$ 674,650	$ 784,069
Cost of goods sold	274,682	302,276	554,878	635,070
Gross profit	59,861	73,480	119,772	148,999
Operating expenses:
Research and development	8,446	7,996	16,359	15,556
Selling, general and administrative	25,004	26,313	51,118	52,776
Depreciation and amortization	15,741	15,885	30,839	31,734
Total operating expenses	49,191	50,194	98,316	100,066
Earnings of unconsolidated joint venture	121	163	255	300
Interest expense, net	5,909	7,773	19,207	14,472
Income before income taxes	4,882	15,676	2,504	34,761
Income tax expense	905	3,269	2,351	6,001
Consolidated net income	3,977	12,407	153	28,760
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	148	0	72	0
Net income attributable to Kraton	$ 3,829	$ 12,407	$ 81	$ 28,760
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$ 0.12	$ 0.38	$ 0.00	$ 0.89
Diluted	$ 0.12	$ 0.38	$ 0.00	$ 0.89
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	32,073	31,930	32,068	31,919
Diluted	32,378	32,172	32,391	32,209