Sales Revenue for Four Primary Product Lines (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue	$ 323,767	$ 334,543	$ 635,423	$ 674,650
USBCs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue	181,115	192,543	346,636	389,316
HSBCs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue	106,178	104,937	209,955	213,031
Cariflex
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue	29,242	29,244	64,605	56,273
Compounds
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue	7,144	7,544	14,044	15,448
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales revenue	$ 88	$ 275	$ 183	$ 582