CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales revenue	$ 327,109	$ 342,635	$ 1,001,759	$ 1,126,704
Cost of goods sold	279,659	299,882	834,537	934,952
Gross profit	47,450	42,753	167,222	191,752
Operating expenses:
Research and development	7,413	7,401	23,772	22,957
Selling, general and administrative	22,430	23,447	73,548	76,223
Depreciation and amortization	15,814	16,109	46,653	47,843
Impairment of long-lived assets	0	5,434	0	5,434
Total operating expenses	45,657	52,391	143,973	152,457
Earnings of unconsolidated joint venture	117	133	372	433
Interest expense, net	5,741	7,634	24,948	22,106
Income (loss) before income taxes	(3,831)	(17,139)	(1,327)	17,622
Income tax expense (benefit)	2,021	(1,640)	4,372	4,361
Consolidated net income (loss)	(5,852)	(15,499)	(5,699)	13,261
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(254)	0	(182)	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Kraton	$ (5,598)	$ (15,499)	$ (5,517)	$ 13,261
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic	$ (0.17)	$ (0.48)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.41
Diluted	$ (0.17)	$ (0.48)	$ (0.17)	$ 0.41
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	32,073	31,943	32,069	31,927
Diluted	32,073	31,943	32,069	32,202