Sales Revenue for Four Primary Product Lines (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 318,971	$ 327,109	$ 954,394	$ 1,001,759
USBCs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	177,978	192,714	524,614	582,030
HSBCs
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	93,872	98,572	303,827	311,603
Cariflex
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	39,959	28,231	104,564	84,504
Compounds
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	7,014	7,187	21,058	22,635
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 148	$ 405	$ 331	$ 987