Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 79,655	$ 84,099
Receivables, net	265,424	260,784
Inventories (Note 6)	155,193	111,175
Deferred income taxes	8,504	8,769
Other current assets	18,360	14,915
Total current assets	527,136	479,742
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Cost	1,176,440	1,119,897
Less: accumulated depreciation	771,703	735,914
Property, plant and equipment, net	404,737	383,983
Goodwill, net	7,146	7,000
Other intangible assets, net	9,374	11,181
Long-term investments (Note 3)	14,181	12,464
Other non-current assets	6,074	6,748
Total assets	968,648	901,118
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 11)	31,634	34,487
Accounts payable	144,638	137,764
Accrued liabilities	67,271	60,975
Total current liabilities	243,543	233,226
Deferred income taxes	12,586	8,644
Long-term debt, less current maturities (Note 11)	156,517	164,967
Other non-current liabilities	88,244	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 shares 515,781 in 2012 and 518,293 in 2011	12,895	12,957
Common stock, $1 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; Issued shares 11,913,477 in 2012 and 11,709,312 shares in 2011	11,913	11,709
Additional paid-in capital	104,791	94,932
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(36,083)	(41,485)
Retained earnings	421,016	366,293
Less: Common treasury stock, 1,521,167 at cost, shares in 2012 and 1,462,980 shares in 2011	(48,579)	(43,195)
Total Stepan Company stockholders' equity	465,953	401,211
Noncontrolling interests (Note 2)	1,805	4,254
Total equity	467,758	405,465
Total liabilities and equity	$ 968,648	$ 901,118