Restructuring Charges (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Facility Position		Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)		Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Long-lived asset impairment	$ 2,200		$ 1,900		$ 14,500
Long lived asset impairments recorded to date	89,000
Total restructuring costs incurred to date	189,000
Realized cost of savings	22,000
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring	36,516		11,066		42,846
Summary of accrual for restructuring and other charges [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of period	7,529		11,172
Expense activity	5,300		10,615
Cash spent	(11,404)		(14,112)
Translation adjustment	95		(146)
Balance as of beginning of period	1,520		7,529		11,172
Minimum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected incremental saving	4,000
Maximum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Expected incremental saving	5,000
Continuing Operations [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring	36,516		14,551		42,803
Detail of the restructuring costs [Abstract]
Employee separation	(638)		1,279		7,155
Long-lived asset impairment	2,435		1,659		14,551
Loss on sale of business	21,563
(Gain) Loss on asset sales			212		(1,301)
Write-down of inventory	2,889		2,065		6,098
Other costs	10,267	[1]	9,336	[2]	16,300	[2]
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring	0		(3,485)		43
Selling & Administrative [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring	33,627		12,486		36,705
Detail of the restructuring costs [Abstract]
Employee separation	(638)		1,279		7,155
Long-lived asset impairment	2,435		1,659		14,551
Loss on sale of business	21,563
(Gain) Loss on asset sales			212		(1,301)
Write-down of inventory	0		0		0
Other costs	10,267	[1]	9,336	[2]	16,300	[2]
Cost of Products Sold [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring	2,889		2,065		6,098
Detail of the restructuring costs [Abstract]
Employee separation	0		0		0
Long-lived asset impairment	0		0		0
Loss on sale of business	0
(Gain) Loss on asset sales			0		0
Write-down of inventory	2,889		2,065		6,098
Other costs	0	[1]	0	[2]	0	[2]
2014 Restructuring Plan [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Assets held for sale of land, buildings and equipment	$ 2,000
Employee Separations [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Position reduction due to restructuring | Position	400
Summary of accrual for restructuring and other charges [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of period	$ 6,959		10,260
Expense activity	(4,435)		1,279
Cash spent	(2,403)		(4,434)
Translation adjustment	95		(146)
Balance as of beginning of period	216		6,959		10,260
Other Costs [Member]
Summary of accrual for restructuring and other charges [Roll Forward]
Balance as of beginning of period	570		912
Expense activity	9,735		9,336
Cash spent	(9,001)		(9,678)
Translation adjustment	0		0
Balance as of beginning of period	$ 1,304		570		912
Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Facilities identified for consolidation | Facility	8
Flavors & Fragrances [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring	$ 36,278		13,719		37,309
Flavors & Fragrances [Member] | North America [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Facilities identified for consolidation | Facility	4
Flavors & Fragrances [Member] | Europe [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Facilities identified for consolidation | Facility	4
Number of facility for sale | Facility	2
Color [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Facilities identified for closure | Facility	1
Color [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring	$ 0		81		2,113
Asia Pacific [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring	0		0		82
Corporate & Other [Member] | Continuing Operations [Member]
Restructuring cost by segment [Abstract]
Total restructuring	$ 238		$ 751		$ 3,299

[1] Other costs include decommissioning costs, professional services, temporary labor, moving costs, and other related costs.

[2] Other costs include decommissioning costs, professional services, moving costs, and other related costs.