Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

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Business Restructuring and Asset Impairments - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) Employees	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	$ 2,287		$ 2,287
Singapore [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	1,316
Millsdale, Illinois [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	714
United Kingdom [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	257
2014 Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Number positions eliminated \| Employees			13
Restructuring charges	$ 1,722		$ 1,722
2013 Restructuring [Member] \| Surfactants [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring charges		$ 1,040
Accelerated depreciation expenses			$ 1,825	$ 296
2013 Restructuring [Member] \| North America [Member] \| Surfactants [Member]
Restructuring Cost And Reserve [Line Items]
Number positions eliminated \| Employees			16