Condensed Statements Of Consolidated Total Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	OM Group Inc. Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Capital In Excess Of Par Value [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2009		$ 304	$ 569,487	$ 584,508	$ (6,025)	$ (16,969)	$ 44,827
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009		30,269,000
Shares issued under share-based compensation plans, shares		241,000
Share-based compensation			4,151					4,151
Excess tax benefit from exercise/vesting of share awards			93
Shares issued under share-based compensation plans		3	3,799
Net income (loss) attributable to OM Group, Inc.				59,590				59,590
Reacquired shares					(1,209)
Foreign currency translation adjustment						7,955		7,955
Reclassification of hedging activities into earnings, net of tax benefit of $131 and $785 in 2011 and 2010, respectively						2,032		2,032
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax expense (benefit) of $97 and ($1,398) in 2011 and 2010, respectively						(2,784)		(2,784)
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest							(5,159)	(5,159)
Foreign currency translation							(3)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2010	1,204,935	307	577,530	644,098	(7,234)	(9,766)	39,665	1,244,600
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2010		30,510,000
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010		307	578,948	667,882	(7,234)	(3,119)	39,834	1,276,618
Beginning balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010		30,523,000
Shares issued in connection with acquisition of VAC Holding, shares		1,308,000
Shares issued under share-based compensation plans, shares		30,000
Share-based compensation			5,118					5,118
Shares issued in connection with acquisition of VAC Holding		13	39,696
Shares issued under share-based compensation plans			361
Net income (loss) attributable to OM Group, Inc.				(12,982)				(12,982)
Reacquired shares					(193)
Foreign currency translation adjustment						(36,008)		(36,008)
Pension liability adjustment						300		300
Reclassification of hedging activities into earnings, net of tax benefit of $131 and $785 in 2011 and 2010, respectively						(80)		(80)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax expense (benefit) of $97 and ($1,398) in 2011 and 2010, respectively						398		398
Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest							4,816	4,816
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2011	$ 1,233,407	$ 320	$ 624,123	$ 654,900	$ (7,427)	$ (38,509)	$ 44,650	$ 1,278,057
Ending balance, shares at Sep. 30, 2011		31,861,000