Segment Reporting - Operating Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 499,335	$ 468,269
Surfactants [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	358,940	322,603
Polymers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	121,933	126,610
Specialty Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net Sales	$ 18,462	$ 19,056

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

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