Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Feb. 19, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-36563
Entity Registrant Name	ORION ENGINEERED CARBONS S.A.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	N4
Entity Tax Identification Number	00-0000000
Entity Address, Address Line One	4501 Magnolia Cove Drive Suite 106
Entity Address, City or Town	Houston,
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	77345
City Area Code	281
Local Phone Number	318-2959
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares, no par value
Trading Symbol	OEC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
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 Public Float			$ 1.3
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		60,224,147
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Portions of the Registrant's definitive proxy statement for the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders.
Entity Central Index Key	0001609804
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false