Contingencies (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2008 Plaintiff	Dec. 31, 2003	Dec. 31, 2013
Components of Environmental Loss Accrual [Abstract]
Reserve for estimated environmental and remediation costs	$ 9,595			$ 10,881
Payments against reserves for estimated environmental and remediation costs	2,269
Adjustment to environmental and remediation reserves	1,209
Impact of currency translation on environmental and remediation reserves	226
Lorazepam and Clorazepate [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of plaintiffs in unresolved case		4
Judgment Amount Against Parties Payable Jointly And Severally		19,200
Punitive damages award		16,709
Loss contingency, prejudgment interest		7,500
Pending increase (decrease) in damages award value	(9,600)
Lorazepam and Clorazepate [Member] | Indemnification Agreement [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Payment in exchange for release and full indemnity against future cost or liabilities			12,415
Lorazepam and Clorazepate [Member] | Surety Bond [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Surety bond amount			66,632
CasChem [Member]
Components of Environmental Loss Accrual [Abstract]
Reserve for estimated environmental and remediation costs	193
Berry's Creek Site [Member]
Components of Environmental Loss Accrual [Abstract]
Reserve for estimated environmental and remediation costs	388
Number of former subsidiaries for which notice was received	2
Maybrook Site [Member]
Components of Environmental Loss Accrual [Abstract]
Reserve for estimated environmental and remediation costs	322
Harriman Site [Member]
Components of Environmental Loss Accrual [Abstract]
Reserve for estimated environmental and remediation costs	3,615
Harriman Site [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Components of Environmental Loss Accrual [Abstract]
Estimated remediation expense	2,000
Harriman Site [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Components of Environmental Loss Accrual [Abstract]
Estimated remediation expense	7,000
Scientific Chemical Processing (SCP) Superfund Site [Member]
Components of Environmental Loss Accrual [Abstract]
Reserve for estimated environmental and remediation costs	1,039
Approximate number of other sites named PRP of SCP Superfund Site	130
Amount expected to be covered by insurance	737
Cosan Clifton, New Jersey Site [Member]
Components of Environmental Loss Accrual [Abstract]
Reserve for estimated environmental and remediation costs	1,191
Cosan Carlstadt New Jersey Site [Member]
Components of Environmental Loss Accrual [Abstract]
Reserve for estimated environmental and remediation costs	$ 1,063