Accounts Receivable Securitization (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounts Receivable Securitization [Abstract]
Accounts receivable securitization program	$ 60.6	$ 57.1
Proceeds from accounts receivable securitization program	40.0
Fair value of the deferred purchase price receivable	$ 20.6	$ 17.1

The amount of proceeds owed to the reporting entity by a third party for the sale of trade receivables.

No definition available.

Name:	sxt_ProceedsReceivedByTheCompanyForTheSaleOfTradeReceivablesFromAThirdParty
Namespace Prefix:	sxt_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration