Postretirement Benefit Plans (Details 13) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Market value changes within asset categories for which fair value measurements use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) defined benefit United States plans and United Kingdom plans
Beginning Balance	$ 3,720	$ 3,191
Sale proceeds (benefit payments)	(3,916)	(40)
Change in unrealized gain	(644)	864
Ending Balance		3,720
Insurance Contracts [Member]
Market value changes within asset categories for which fair value measurements use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) defined benefit United States plans and United Kingdom plans
Beginning Balance	2,218	2,188
Sale proceeds (benefit payments)	(173)	(165)
Change in unrealized gain	288	204
Foreign exchange impact	104	(9)
Ending Balance	$ 2,437	$ 2,218

Fair value measurement with unobservable inputs reconciliation recurring basis asset change in unrealized gain loss.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	scl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value measurement with unobservable inputs reconciliation recurring basis foreign exchange impact.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	scl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sales that have taken place during the period in relation to assets measured at fair value and categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementWithUnobservableInputsReconciliationRecurringBasisAssetSales
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents an asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) which is required for reconciliation purposes of beginning and ending balances.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 820

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7578670&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 157

-Paragraph 32

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant