Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 24, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-33137
Entity Registrant Name	EMERGENT BIOSOLUTIONS INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	14-1902018
Entity Address, Address Line One	400 Professional Drive Suite 400
Entity Address, City or Town	Gaithersburg,
Entity Address, State or Province	MD
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	20879
City Area Code	240
Local Phone Number	631-3200
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, Par Value $0.001 per share
Trading Symbol	EBS
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		52,427,756
Entity Central Index Key	0001367644
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1