Segment and Geographic Information, Reportable Segments (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) Segment	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Segment and Geographic Information [Abstract]
Number of reportable segment \| Segment	3
Divestiture and other related costs		$ 0
Restructuring and other costs	$ 0	0	$ 36,500
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	1,322,934	1,386,815	1,362,265
Operating income (loss)	121,110	203,378	167,806
Interest expense	20,107	21,853	19,383
Earnings before income taxes	101,003	181,525	148,423
Assets	1,740,151	1,824,940	1,724,340
Capital expenditures	39,100	50,740	56,344
Depreciation and amortization	55,015	53,244	48,518
Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	682,705	723,189	727,026
Color [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	522,051	540,499	512,811
Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	118,178	123,127	122,428
Reportable Segments [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	1,353,763	1,424,100	1,396,499
Reportable Segments [Member] \| Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	700,356	746,932	746,943
Operating income (loss)	74,961	96,433	114,343
Interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	74,961	96,433	114,343
Assets	714,779	782,145	771,157
Capital expenditures	16,968	23,679	31,989
Depreciation and amortization	27,179	25,922	23,611
Reportable Segments [Member] \| Color [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	535,159	554,004	526,363
Operating income (loss)	101,190	113,306	113,381
Interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	101,190	113,306	113,381
Assets	734,343	752,305	720,328
Capital expenditures	16,521	21,744	18,797
Depreciation and amortization	22,088	21,931	19,902
Reportable Segments [Member] \| Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	118,248	123,164	123,193
Operating income (loss)	19,382	20,856	20,772
Interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	19,382	20,856	20,772
Assets	99,183	103,808	101,786
Capital expenditures	2,545	2,858	3,557
Depreciation and amortization	2,581	2,451	2,303
Intersegment Revenue [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	(30,829)	(37,285)	(34,234)
Intersegment Revenue [Member] \| Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	(17,651)	(23,743)	(19,917)
Intersegment Revenue [Member] \| Color [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	(13,108)	(13,505)	(13,552)
Intersegment Revenue [Member] \| Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	(70)	(37)	(765)
Corporate & Other [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(74,423)	(27,217)	(80,690)
Interest expense	20,107	21,853	19,383
Earnings before income taxes	(94,530)	(49,070)	(100,073)
Assets	191,846	186,682	131,069
Capital expenditures	3,066	2,459	2,001
Depreciation and amortization	$ 3,167	$ 2,940	$ 2,702

Divestiture and other related costs during the period.

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Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

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Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations before deduction of income tax expense (benefit) and income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, and addition of income (loss) from equity method investments.

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Amount of the cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest expense.

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Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements.

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The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

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Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

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Amount, excluding tax collected from customer, of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised good or service to customer. Tax collected from customer is tax assessed by governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transaction, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value added and excise.

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