Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales (Note 1)	$ 1,880,786	$ 1,803,737	$ 1,843,092
Cost of Sales	1,599,101	1,512,184	1,587,539
Gross Profit	281,685	291,553	255,553
Operating Expenses:
Selling (Note 1)	53,229	53,145	45,807
Administrative (Note 1)	71,454	63,979	50,766
Research, development and technical services (Note 1)	46,809	45,713	40,524
Total Operating expenses	171,492	162,837	137,097
Business Restructuring (Note 21)	1,040
Operating Income	109,153	128,716	118,456
Other Income (Expense):
Interest, net (Note 7)	(10,358)	(9,599)	(9,095)
Loss from equity in joint ventures (Note 1)	(5,336)	(4,724)	(3,616)
Other, net (Note 9)	2,171	1,329	(851)
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	(13,523)	(12,994)	(13,562)
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	95,630	115,722	104,894
Provision for Income Taxes (Note 10)	23,293	36,035	32,292
Net Income	72,337	79,687	72,602
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (Note 1)	491	(291)	(626)
Net Income Attributable to Stepan Company	$ 72,828	$ 79,396	$ 71,976
Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Stepan Company (Note 19):
Basic	$ 3.22	$ 3.71	$ 3.44
Diluted	$ 3.18	$ 3.49	$ 3.21
Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Stepan Company (Note 19):
Basic	22,621	21,273	20,726
Diluted	22,924	22,730	22,440