Business Segments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 325,130	$ 222,022	$ 742,209	$ 656,039
Operating Earnings, Excluding Indirect Operating Expenses	72,637	51,817	164,942	148,834
Reconciliation from Segment Totals to Consolidated [Abstract]
Combination and other acquisition-related expenses	(14,702)	(2,904)	(23,789)	(12,404)
Restructuring and related activities	(24,045)	0	(24,045)	0
Fair value step up of Houghton inventory sold	(10,214)	0	(10,214)	0
Non-operating and administrative expenses	(29,123)	(22,064)	(68,266)	(63,044)
Depreciation of corporate assets and amortization	(9,055)	(1,930)	(12,770)	(5,673)
Operating (loss) income	(14,502)	24,919	25,858	67,713
Other income (expense), net	203	(523)	(389)	(631)
Interest expense, net	(6,102)	(989)	(7,611)	(3,223)
Income before taxes and equity in net income of associated companies	(20,401)	23,407	17,858	63,859
America's [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	116,710	77,374	260,682	225,115
Operating Earnings, Excluding Indirect Operating Expenses	23,880	16,998	52,235	47,877
America's [Member] \| Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,100	2,400	4,800	6,500
EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	82,468	51,346	184,280	164,753
Operating Earnings, Excluding Indirect Operating Expenses	13,370	8,592	31,232	28,102
EMEA [Member] \| Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	5,300	4,500	15,400	16,800
Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	74,266	49,928	165,234	143,388
Operating Earnings, Excluding Indirect Operating Expenses	20,404	14,012	45,375	39,631
Asia Pacific [Member] \| Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	100	100	100	500
Global Specialty Businesses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	51,686	43,374	132,013	122,783
Operating Earnings, Excluding Indirect Operating Expenses	14,983	12,215	36,100	33,224
Global Specialty Businesses [Member] \| Intersegment Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1,400	$ 1,200	$ 4,100	$ 3,700

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