Restructuring (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015 Facility Positions		Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Estimated cost savings due to restructuring	$ 30,000,000
Position reduction due to restructuring	350
Number of positions eliminated due to restructuring	110
Savings recognized in restructuring plan	1,500,000
Number of facilities sold	2
Proceeds from sale of assets	12,593,000		919,000
Estimated fair values of the remaining long-lived assets	21,700,000
Restructuring charge, after tax	5,500,000		37,400,000
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total Continuing Operations	7,115,000		46,187,000
Discontinued Operations	29,000		6,535,000
Total Restructuring	7,144,000		52,722,000
Detail of the restructuring costs [Abstract]
Employee separation	1,908,000		11,267,000
Long-lived asset impairment	3,815,000		34,230,000
Gain on asset sales	(1,301,000)		(602,000)
Write-down of inventory	141,000		0
Other costs	2,552,000	[1]	1,292,000	[2]
Future restructuring costs, current year	19,000,000
Future restructuring costs, 2016	6,000,000
Summary of accrual for restructuring and other charges [Abstract]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	15,806,000
Restructuring and other costs	7,144,000		52,722,000
Gain on sale of assets	1,301,000		602,000
Cash spent	(4,848,000)
Reduction of assets	(3,904,000)
Translation adjustment	(1,337,000)
Balance as of March 31,2015	14,162,000
Employee Separations [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total Restructuring	2,015,000
Detail of the restructuring costs [Abstract]
Gain on asset sales	0
Summary of accrual for restructuring and other charges [Abstract]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	14,909,000
Restructuring and other costs	2,015,000
Gain on sale of assets	0
Cash spent	(1,964,000)
Reduction of assets	0
Translation adjustment	(1,337,000)
Balance as of March 31,2015	13,623,000
Asset Related and Other [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total Restructuring	5,129,000
Detail of the restructuring costs [Abstract]
Gain on asset sales	(1,301,000)
Summary of accrual for restructuring and other charges [Abstract]
Balance as of December 31, 2014	897,000
Restructuring and other costs	5,129,000
Gain on sale of assets	1,301,000
Cash spent	(2,884,000)
Reduction of assets	(3,904,000)
Translation adjustment	0
Balance as of March 31,2015	539,000
Selling & Administrative [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total Continuing Operations	6,974,000		46,187,000
Detail of the restructuring costs [Abstract]
Employee separation	1,908,000		11,267,000
Long-lived asset impairment	3,815,000		34,230,000
Gain on asset sales	(1,301,000)		(602,000)
Write-down of inventory	0		0
Other costs	2,552,000	[1]	1,292,000	[2]
Summary of accrual for restructuring and other charges [Abstract]
Gain on sale of assets	1,301,000		602,000
Cost of Products Sold [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total Continuing Operations	141,000		0
Detail of the restructuring costs [Abstract]
Employee separation	0		0
Long-lived asset impairment	0		0
Gain on asset sales	0		0
Write-down of inventory	141,000		0
Other costs	0	[1]	0	[2]
Summary of accrual for restructuring and other charges [Abstract]
Gain on sale of assets	0		0
Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total Continuing Operations	5,829,000		44,983,000
Color [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total Continuing Operations	161,000		0
Corporate & Other [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total Continuing Operations	1,125,000		1,204,000
2014 Proxy Contest [Member]
Detail of the restructuring costs [Abstract]
Other costs	$ 900,000

[1] Other costs include decommissioning costs, professional services, moving costs and other related costs.

[2] Other costs include decommissioning, professional services, personnel moving costs, other related costs and 2014 proxy contest costs.