2.4.0.8124 - Disclosure - Basis of presentation (Policies)truefalsefalse1false falsefalseeol_PE715633--1310-Q0007_STD_181_20130630_0http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001369786duration2013-01-01T00:00:002013-06-30T00:00:001false 4us-gaap_GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsGoodwillPolicyus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00<div> Goodwill Goodwill is recognized as the excess cost of an acquired entity over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather tested for impairment on an annual basis and more often if circumstances require. Impairment losses are recognized whenever the implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value. We test goodwill for impairment at least annually on October 1. </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for goodwill. This accounting policy also may address how an entity assesses and measures impairment of goodwill, how reporting units are determined, how goodwill is allocated to such units, and how the fair values of the reporting units are determined.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 20 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2144439 false0Goodwill2false 4us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentPolicyTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterseLabel1falsefalsefalse00<div> Property, Plant, and Equipment Property, plant, and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The cost of repairs and maintenance is expensed when incurred, while expenditures for refurbishments and improvements that significantly add to the productive capacity or extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Provisions for depreciation are computed for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset and for leasehold improvements over the lesser of the estimated useful life of the related asset or the term of the related lease as follows:   <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" align="center"> <tr> <td width="51%"></td> <td valign="bottom" width="2%"></td> <td width="47%"></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Land and land improvements</td> <td valign="bottom">  </td> <td valign="top">Remaining term of Chinese land use right</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Building and improvements</td> <td valign="bottom">  </td> <td valign="top">5 to 40 years or remaining term of leasehold</td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top">Machinery, equipment, furniture, and fixtures</td> <td valign="bottom">  </td> <td valign="top">3 to 10 years</td> </tr> </table> Property, plant and equipment that is purchased or constructed which requires a period of time before the assets are ready for their intended use are accounted for as construction-in-progress. Construction-in-progress is recorded at acquisition cost, including installation costs and associated interest costs. Construction-in-progress is transferred to specific property, plant and equipment accounts and commences depreciation when these assets are ready for their intended use. The capitalization of interest costs commences when expenditures for the asset have been made, activities that are necessary to prepare the asset for its intended use are in progress and interest cost is being incurred. The capitalization period ends when the asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaDisclosure of accounting policy for long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Includes, but is not limited to, basis of assets, depreciation and depletion methods used, including composite deprecation, estimated useful lives, capitalization policy, accounting treatment for costs incurred for repairs and maintenance, capitalized interest and the method it is calculated, disposals and impairments.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6367646&loc=d3e18780-107790 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 360 -SubTopic 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/subtopic&trid=2155824 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.13(a)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 13 -Subparagraph a -Article 5 false0Property, Plant, and EquipmentfalseBasis of presentation (Policies)UnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.sagentpharma.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsBusinessDescriptionAndBasisOfPresentationTextBlockPolicies12