Information on Business Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 6,944	$ 8,017	$ 21,377	$ 22,840
Loss from operations	(6,135)	(9,274)	(17,492)	(25,341)
Interest expense	2,100	2,121	6,497	6,186
Depreciation expense	1,758	1,616	5,038	4,897
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	675	96	5,520	271
Total assets	116,110		116,110		$ 102,831
Intercompany Eliminations
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	(156,094)		(156,094)		(155,224)
Gevo
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	537	423	1,958	2,193
Loss from operations	(2,732)	(6,109)	(7,596)	(15,773)
Interest expense	2,084	2,098	6,449	6,109
Depreciation expense	255	196	588	609
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	168		260	2
Gevo | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	114,277		114,277		100,394
Gevo Development / Agri-Energy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,407	7,594	19,419	20,647
Loss from operations	(3,403)	(3,165)	(9,896)	(9,568)
Interest expense	16	23	48	77
Depreciation expense	1,503	1,420	4,450	4,288
Acquisitions of plant, property and equipment	507	$ 96	5,260	$ 269
Gevo Development / Agri-Energy | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 157,927		$ 157,927		$ 157,661