Segment financial information - reported segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2026	Sep. 30, 2025	Sep. 30, 2026	Sep. 30, 2025
Information by reportable segment
Net sales	$ 1,698.3	$ 1,623.8	$ 4,972.0	$ 4,888.6
Adjusted Operating Income	227.6	237.3	643.3	732.3
Corporate
Information by reportable segment
Net sales	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Adjusted Operating Income	(15.2)	(14.0)	(51.6)	(54.4)
Bioscience & Medtech Products
Information by reportable segment
Net sales	464.5	448.8	1,347.7	1,351.1
Bioscience & Medtech Products | Operating Segments
Information by reportable segment
Net sales	464.5	448.8	1,347.7	1,351.1
Adjusted Operating Income	123.4	119.3	343.7	365.2
VWR Distribution & Services
Information by reportable segment
Net sales	1,233.8	1,175.0	3,624.3	3,537.5
VWR Distribution & Services | Operating Segments
Information by reportable segment
Net sales	1,233.8	1,175.0	3,624.3	3,537.5
Adjusted Operating Income	$ 119.4	$ 132.0	$ 351.2	$ 421.5