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Commitments and Contingencies (Textuals) (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]      
Operating Leases, Rent Expense $ 10,700,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense $ 10,300,000us-gaap_LeaseAndRentalExpense  
Net rental expense     12,000,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseNet
Sublease income     400,000us-gaap_OperatingLeasesRentExpenseSubleaseRentals1
Outstanding unconditional contractual commitments for the purchase of raw materials, utilities and equipment 20,400,000us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceSheetAmount    
Outstanding uncondintional contractual commitments due to be paid in 2015 6,000,000us-gaap_UnrecordedUnconditionalPurchaseObligationBalanceOnFirstAnniversary    
Contingent consideration, payable period 5 years    
Contingent consideration, estimated outcome, low 0us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueLow    
Contingent consideration, estimated outcome, high 4,100,000us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh    
Insurance Claims [Member]      
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]      
Accrual for insurance obligations 8,700,000us-gaap_LossContingencyAccrualAtCarryingValue
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_InsuranceClaimsMember
   
Amount reimbursable by the insurance company 4,600,000us-gaap_LossContingencyReceivable
/ us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis
= us-gaap_InsuranceClaimsMember
   
Revolving Credit Facility Due 2017 [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]      
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]      
Letters of credit supporting the reimbursement of workers' compensation and other claims $ 3,500,000us-gaap_LineOfCredit
/ us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis
= us-gaap_LetterOfCreditMember
/ us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis
= wst_RevolvingCreditFacilityDue2017Member
   
Patents [Member] | La Model Ltd. [Member]      
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]      
Weighted average useful life 17 years