Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,417,677	$ 1,133,503	$ 867,520
Cost of goods sold	904,234	741,386	555,206
Gross profit	513,443	392,117	312,314
Selling, general and administrative expenses	380,752	283,828	207,872
Indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment	38,000	0	0
Restructuring and related charges	5,541	26,678	0
Combination, integration and acquisition-related expenses	29,790	35,477	16,661
Operating income	59,360	46,134	87,781
Other expense, net	(5,618)	(254)	(642)
Interest expense, net	(26,603)	(16,976)	(4,041)
Income before taxes and equity in net income of associated companies	27,139	28,904	83,098
Taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies	(5,296)	2,084	25,050
Income before equity in net income of associated companies	32,435	26,820	58,048
Equity in net income of associated companies	7,352	5,064	1,763
Net income	39,787	31,884	59,811
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	129	262	338
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$ 39,658	$ 31,622	$ 59,473
Per share data:
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation common shareholders - basic	$ 2.23	$ 2.08	$ 4.46
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation common shareholders - diluted	$ 2.22	$ 2.08	$ 4.45