Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	$ 363,751	$ 340,868	$ 1,090,431	$ 988,913
Intersegment revenue	12,848	10,559	42,538	30,570
Total revenue	376,599	351,427	1,132,969	1,019,483
Operating income (loss)	49,943	47,760	147,873	133,561
Interest expense	4,934	5,224	14,919	15,490
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	45,009	42,536	132,954	118,071
Flavors And Fragrances [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	213,886	201,571	632,513	586,529
Intersegment revenue	7,296	5,633	21,839	16,424
Total revenue	221,182	207,204	654,352	602,953
Operating income (loss)	33,581	32,150	98,685	92,557
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	33,581	32,150	98,685	92,557
Color [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	115,994	109,331	360,003	321,769
Intersegment revenue	4,981	3,919	19,035	12,416
Total revenue	120,975	113,250	379,038	334,185
Operating income (loss)	22,891	20,036	69,886	59,024
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	22,891	20,036	69,886	59,024
Corporate And Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	33,871	29,966	97,915	80,615
Intersegment revenue	571	1,007	1,664	1,730
Total revenue	34,442	30,973	99,579	82,345
Operating income (loss)	(6,529)	(4,426)	(20,698)	(18,020)
Interest expense	4,934	5,224	14,919	15,490
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	$ (11,463)	$ (9,650)	$ (35,617)	$ (33,510)