Information on Business Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 8,113	$ 8,924	$ 14,433	$ 14,823
Loss from operations	(5,492)	(6,531)	(11,358)	(16,067)
Interest expense	2,246	2,029	4,396	4,064
Depreciation expense	1,661	1,619	3,282	3,281
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	395	49	4,847	175
Total assets	109,247		109,247		$ 102,831
Intercompany Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	(158,783)		(158,783)		(155,224)
Gevo
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	915	969	1,420	1,770
Loss from operations	(2,556)	(4,440)	(4,864)	(9,664)
Interest expense	2,232	2,003	4,365	4,010
Depreciation expense	164	202	332	413
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	88		92	2
Gevo | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	107,297		107,297		100,394
Gevo Development / Agri-Energy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	7,198	7,955	13,013	13,053
Loss from operations	(2,936)	(2,091)	(6,494)	(6,403)
Interest expense	14	26	31	54
Depreciation expense	1,497	1,417	2,950	2,868
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	307	$ 49	4,755	$ 173
Gevo Development / Agri-Energy | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 160,733		$ 160,733		$ 157,661