Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income of Orion Engineered Carbons S.A. (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income/(loss)	$ 8,997	$ 24,253	$ 9,250	$ 67,955
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(3,620)	(5,097)	(27,060)	(8,478)
Unrealized net gains/(losses) on hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation	(65)	72	(61)	72
Unrealized net losses on cash flow hedges	(1,133)	(396)	(3,399)	(6,996)
Gains on defined benefit plans	990	121	4,432	138
Other comprehensive loss	(3,829)	(5,300)	(26,087)	(15,264)
Comprehensive income/(loss)	$ 5,168	$ 18,953	$ (16,838)	$ 52,691