Name:	cbm_AmountOfEstimatedCostToCleanUpSiteThatTheCompanyIsNotExposed
Namespace Prefix:	cbm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Preliminary estimated percentage of the possible costs associated with the remediation, site restoration, post-closure, monitoring commitments, and any other costs associated with site remediation

No definition available.

Name:	cbm_EnvironmentalExitCostsReasonablyPossibleLossesEstimatedShare
Namespace Prefix:	cbm_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The charge against earnings in the period for known or estimated future costs arising from requirements to perform environmental remediation activities before tax.

No definition available.

Name:	cbm_EnvironmentalRemediationExpenseBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix:	cbm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of judgment against Mylan, Gyma and Cambrex payable jointly and severally.

No definition available.

Name:	cbm_JudgmentAmountAgainstPartiesPayableJointlyAndSeverally
Namespace Prefix:	cbm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of prejudgment interest awarded to the plaintiff in the legal matter.

No definition available.

Name:	cbm_LossContingencyPrejudgmentInterest
Namespace Prefix:	cbm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Approximate number of sites named potentially responsible parties.

No definition available.

Name:	cbm_NumberOfOtherSitesNamedPrpOfScpSuperfundSite
Namespace Prefix:	cbm_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the number of subsidiaries for which notice from United States Environmental Protection Agency is received.

No definition available.

Name:	cbm_NumberOfSubsidiariesNoticeReceived
Namespace Prefix:	cbm_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Payments in exchange for release and full indemnity against future cost.

No definition available.

Name:	cbm_PaymentInExchangeForReleaseAndFullIndemnityAgainstFutureCostOrLiabilities
Namespace Prefix:	cbm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Pending increase or (decrease) in damages award to the plaintiff in the legal matter during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	cbm_PendingIncreaseDecreaseInDamagesAwardValue
Namespace Prefix:	cbm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Number of miles subject to clean up.

No definition available.

Name:	cbm_SiteContingencyCleanUpPlanMilesOfCleanUp
Namespace Prefix:	cbm_
Data Type:	num:areaItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Estimated range of the reasonably possible loss exposure for environmental loss contingencies at an individual site.

No definition available.

Name:	cbm_SiteContingencyLossExposureEstimatedRange
Namespace Prefix:	cbm_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Total costs accrued as of the balance sheet date for environmental loss contingencies.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82911808&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 7
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13207-110859

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 25
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6395460&loc=d3e13647-108346

Name:	us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingencies
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of cash outflow to settle environmental loss contingencies.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.Y.Q2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011672&loc=d3e149879-122751

Name:	us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesPayments1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Increase (decrease) in the accrual for environmental loss contingencies during the reporting period.

Name:	us-gaap_AccrualForEnvironmentalLossContingenciesPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff in the legal matter.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82911808&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82911808&loc=d3e14435-108349

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 450
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82911808&loc=d3e14557-108349

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyDamagesAwardedValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Number of plaintiffs that have filed claims pertaining to a loss contingency.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingencyNumberOfPlaintiffs
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of the estimated recovery from third parties recorded in the period for an individual site that reduces environmental remediation expense.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 10
-Subparagraph (d)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13237-110859

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 410
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6393242&loc=d3e13296-110859

Name:	us-gaap_SiteContingencyRecoveryFromThirdPartyOfEnvironmentalRemediationCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_LitigationCaseAxis=cbm_LorazepamAndClorazepateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_LossContingenciesByNatureOfContingencyAxis=us-gaap_IndemnificationGuaranteeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyAxis=cbm_BayonneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyAxis=cbm_CliftonAndCarlstadtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyAxis=cbm_BerrysCreekSiteMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyAxis=cbm_MaybrookSiteMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyAxis=cbm_HarrimanSiteMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyAxis=cbm_ScientificChemicalProcessingScpSuperfundSiteMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_EnvironmentalRemediationContingencyAxis=cbm_NewarkBayComplexLitigationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: