Segment and Geographic Information, Reportable Segments (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) Segment	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Segment and Geographic Information [Abstract]
Number of reportable segment \| Segment	3
Restructuring charges	$ 0	$ 36,500	$ 11,100
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	1,386,815	1,362,265	1,383,210
Operating income (loss)	203,378	167,806	185,609
Interest expense	21,853	19,383	18,324
Earnings before income taxes	181,525	148,423	167,285
Assets	1,824,940	1,724,340	1,667,860
Capital expenditures	50,740	56,344	81,216
Depreciation and amortization	53,244	48,518	47,019
Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	723,189	727,026	771,434
Color [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	539,974	512,811	490,862
Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	123,127	122,428	120,914
Reportable Segments [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	1,424,100	1,396,499	1,421,138
Reportable Segments [Member] \| Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	746,932	746,943	795,811
Operating income (loss)	96,433	114,343	124,059
Interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	96,433	114,343	124,059
Assets	784,161	773,173	785,449
Capital expenditures	23,679	31,989	57,622
Depreciation and amortization	25,922	23,611	22,897
Reportable Segments [Member] \| Color [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	553,479	526,363	504,131
Operating income (loss)	114,924	113,381	105,814
Interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	114,924	113,381	105,814
Assets	730,644	720,328	673,754
Capital expenditures	21,269	18,797	15,422
Depreciation and amortization	21,644	19,902	19,421
Reportable Segments [Member] \| Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	123,164	123,193	121,196
Operating income (loss)	20,856	20,772	23,603
Interest expense	0	0	0
Earnings before income taxes	20,856	20,772	23,603
Assets	101,792	99,770	92,203
Capital expenditures	2,858	3,557	5,199
Depreciation and amortization	2,451	2,303	2,042
Intersegment Revenue [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	(37,285)	(34,234)	(37,928)
Intersegment Revenue [Member] \| Flavors & Fragrances [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	(23,743)	(19,917)	(24,377)
Intersegment Revenue [Member] \| Color [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	(13,505)	(13,552)	(13,269)
Intersegment Revenue [Member] \| Asia Pacific [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	(37)	(765)	(282)
Corporate & Other [Member]
Revenue [Abstract]
Revenue	525	0	0
Operating income (loss)	(28,835)	(80,690)	(67,867)
Interest expense	21,853	19,383	18,324
Earnings before income taxes	(50,688)	(100,073)	(86,191)
Assets	208,343	131,069	116,454
Capital expenditures	2,934	2,001	2,973
Depreciation and amortization	$ 3,227	$ 2,702	$ 2,659

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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