Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 76,037	$ 57,081	$ 72,337
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments (Note 19)	(45,490)	(31,980)	(8,034)
Defined benefit pension plans:
Net actuarial gain (loss) arising in period (net of taxes of $568, $14,227 and $7,783 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	1,311	(24,186)	13,417
Amortization of prior service cost included in pension expense (net of taxes of $6, $6 and $6 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	11	14	13
Amortization of actuarial loss included in pension expense (net of taxes of $1,755, $1,032 and $2,015 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	3,002	1,695	3,395
Amortization of transition obligation included in pension expense (net of taxes of $0, $0 and $1 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively)			1
Net defined benefit pension plan activity (Note 19)	4,324	(22,477)	16,826
Cash flow hedges:
Gains (losses) arising in period (net of taxes of $26, $0, $0 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	(49)		(32)
Reclassifications to income in period (net of taxes of $8, $7 and $14 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively)	5	3	13
Net cash flow hedge activity (Note 19)	(44)	3	(19)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(41,210)	(54,454)	8,773
Comprehensive Income	34,827	2,627	81,110
Comprehensive (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	(2)	57	440
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stepan Company	$ 34,825	$ 2,684	$ 81,550