Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Intangible assets [Abstract]
Cost		$ 24,385	$ 23,150
Accumulated Amortization		(15,176)	(14,390)
Intangible assets expense [Abstract]
Acquisition related intangible assets		1,700
Amortization expense of intangible assets		1,200	1,200	$ 1,300
2016		1,200
2017		1,100
2018		1,000
2019		1,000
2020		900
Goodwill activity [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of period		424,114	457,269
Currency translation impact		(28,973)	(32,997)
Impairment	[1]		(158)
Acquisition		4,505
Balance as of end of period		$ 399,646	424,114	457,269
Weighted Average [Member]
Intangible assets [Abstract]
Weighted Average Amortization Years		19 years 8 months 12 days
Flavor and Fragrances [Member]
Goodwill activity [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of period		$ 126,023	136,637
Currency translation impact		(11,675)	(10,614)
Impairment	[1]		0
Acquisition		0
Balance as of end of period		114,348	126,023	136,637
Color [Member]
Goodwill activity [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of period		295,115	317,323
Currency translation impact		(17,272)	(22,050)
Impairment	[1]		(158)
Acquisition		4,505
Balance as of end of period		282,348	295,115	317,323
Asia Pacific [Member]
Goodwill activity [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of period		2,976	3,309
Currency translation impact		(26)	(333)
Impairment	[1]		0
Acquisition		0
Balance as of end of period		2,950	2,976	$ 3,309
Technological Know How [Member]
Intangible assets [Abstract]
Cost		7,387	6,459
Accumulated Amortization		$ (4,738)	(4,352)
Technological Know How [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Intangible assets [Abstract]
Weighted Average Amortization Years		20 years
Customer Relationships [Member]
Intangible assets [Abstract]
Cost		$ 6,575	6,938
Accumulated Amortization		$ (4,332)	(4,170)
Customer Relationships [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Intangible assets [Abstract]
Weighted Average Amortization Years		20 years
Patents, Trademarks, Noncompete Agreements and Other [Member]
Intangible assets [Abstract]
Cost		$ 10,423	9,753
Accumulated Amortization		$ (6,106)	$ (5,868)
Patents, Trademarks, Noncompete Agreements and Other [Member] | Weighted Average [Member]
Intangible assets [Abstract]
Weighted Average Amortization Years		19 years 3 months 18 days

[1] A portion of the Color segment's goodwill that was written down in 2014 related to the discontinued operation.