Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 69,523	$ 84,099
Receivables, net	278,184	260,784
Inventories (Note 6)	137,852	111,175
Deferred income taxes	9,055	8,769
Other current assets	16,183	14,915
Total current assets	510,797	479,742
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Cost	1,152,600	1,119,897
Less: accumulated depreciation	756,661	735,914
Property, plant and equipment, net	395,939	383,983
Goodwill, net	7,038	7,000
Other intangible assets, net	9,940	11,181
Long-term investments (Note 3)	13,445	12,464
Other non-current assets	6,138	6,748
Total assets	943,297	901,118
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 11)	33,294	34,487
Accounts payable	140,604	137,764
Accrued liabilities	61,615	60,975
Total current liabilities	235,513	233,226
Deferred income taxes	9,990	8,644
Long-term debt, less current maturities (Note 11)	162,049	164,967
Other non-current liabilities	90,878	88,816
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)
Equity:
5-1/2% convertible preferred stock, cumulative, voting, without par value; authorized 2,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 518,293 shares in 2012 and in 2011	12,957	12,957
Common stock, $1 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; Issued 11,831,942 shares in 2012 and 11,709,312 shares in 2011	11,832	11,709
Additional paid-in capital	101,564	94,932
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(42,134)	(41,485)
Retained earnings	403,872	366,293
Less: Common treasury stock, at cost, 1,482,657 shares in 2012 and 1,462,980 shares in 2011	(44,932)	(43,195)
Total Stepan Company stockholders' equity	443,159	401,211
Noncontrolling interests (Note 2)	1,708	4,254
Total equity	444,867	405,465
Total liabilities and equity	$ 943,297	$ 901,118