Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 57,081	$ 72,337	$ 79,687
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments (Note 19)	(31,980)	(8,034)	6,101
Defined benefit pension plans:
Net actuarial loss arising in period (net of taxes of $14,227, $7,783 and $2,568 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	(24,186)	13,417	(5,387)
Amortization of prior service cost included in pension expense (net of taxes of $6, $6 and $5 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	14	13	13
Amortization of actuarial loss included in pension expense (net of taxes of $1,032, $2,015 and $1,371 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	1,695	3,395	2,261
Amortization of transition obligation included in pension expense (net of taxes of $0, $1 and $5 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)		1	13
Net defined benefit pension plan activity (Note 19)	(22,477)	16,826	(3,100)
Cash flow hedges:
Gains (losses) arising in period (net of taxes of $0, $0, $16 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)		(32)	116
Reclassifications to income in period (net of taxes of $7, $14 and $8 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively)	3	13	19
Net cash flow hedge activity (Note 19)	3	(19)	135
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(54,454)	8,773	3,136
Comprehensive Income	2,627	81,110	82,823
Comprehensive (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	57	440	(389)
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stepan Company	$ 2,684	$ 81,550	$ 82,434