Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	$ 374,666	$ 378,806	$ 742,797	$ 744,446
Operating income (loss)	48,209	48,678	49,788	85,016
Interest expense	3,718	4,008	7,849	8,269
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	44,491	44,670	41,939	76,747
Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	207,961	218,315	412,081	425,311
Color [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	127,824	122,871	256,493	246,654
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue from external customers	38,881	37,620	74,223	72,481
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	388,409	392,510	770,768	772,706
Operating Segments [Member] | Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	216,192	226,626	429,571	442,467
Operating income (loss)	33,554	31,984	63,493	60,390
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	33,554	31,984	63,493	60,390
Operating Segments [Member] | Color [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	133,225	128,231	266,863	257,710
Operating income (loss)	30,858	28,432	60,265	55,115
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	30,858	28,432	60,265	55,115
Operating Segments [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	38,992	37,653	74,334	72,529
Operating income (loss)	(16,203)	(11,738)	(73,970)	(30,489)
Interest expense	3,718	4,008	7,849	8,269
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	(19,921)	(15,746)	(81,819)	(38,758)
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	13,743	13,704	27,971	28,260
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	8,231	8,311	17,490	17,156
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Color [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	5,401	5,360	10,370	11,056
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenue	$ 111	$ 33	$ 111	$ 48