Goodwill and Other Intangibles - Other Intangibles (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	$ 200,418		$ 198,124
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(7,233)		2,294
Acquisitions	5,228
Divestitures (c)	(68,540)	[1]
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	129,873		200,418		198,124
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(112,215)		(103,660)
Amortization	(5,737)		(8,066)		(10,700)
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment	(27,584)	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	4,620		(489)
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(85,748)		(112,215)		(103,660)
Net Book Value	44,125		88,203
Customer Lists and Relationships
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	86,426		85,167
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(3,055)		1,259
Divestitures (c)	(34,892)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	48,479		86,426
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(35,988)		(31,484)
Amortization	(2,839)		(4,332)
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment	(14,487)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	1,409		(172)
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(22,931)		(35,988)
Net Book Value	25,548		50,438
Trade Names
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	26,907	[2]	26,943	[2]
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(1,181)		(36)
Divestitures (c)	(8,171)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	17,555	[2]	26,907	[2]
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(8,970)		(8,486)
Amortization	(824)		(995)
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment	(1,539)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	343		511
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(7,912)		(8,970)
Net Book Value	9,643		17,937
Patents and Technology
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	48,743		47,876
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(2,257)		867
Divestitures (c)	(11,316)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	40,398		48,743
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(40,354)		(38,778)
Amortization	(388)		(797)
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment	(5,738)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	2,173		(779)
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(32,831)		(40,354)
Net Book Value	7,567		8,389
Land Use Rights
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	6,376		6,203
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(40)		173
Divestitures (c)	(4,929)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	1,407		6,376
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(1,268)		(1,079)
Amortization	(42)		(166)
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment	(100)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	3		(23)
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(1,407)		(1,268)
Net Book Value	0		5,108
Manufacturing Contracts and Supply/Service Agreements
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	8,338		8,523
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	0		(185)
Divestitures (c)	(4,474)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	3,864		8,338
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(6,974)		(6,512)
Amortization	(368)		(647)
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment	(4,164)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	0		185
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(3,178)		(6,974)
Net Book Value	686		1,364
Other
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Gross Asset Value, Beginning Balance	23,628		23,412
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	(700)		216
Divestitures (c)	(4,758)
Gross Asset Value, Ending Balance	18,170		23,628
Accumulated Amortization, Beginning Balance	(18,661)		(17,321)
Amortization	(1,276)		(1,129)
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment	(1,756)
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	692		(211)
Accumulated Amortization, Ending Balance	(17,489)		(18,661)
Net Book Value	681		4,967
Antioxidant, Ibuprofen and Propofol Assets - Discontinued Operations
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Divestitures (c)	(68,540)
Amortization	(900)		(3,500)		(3,400)
Removal of Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets From Impairment	(27,584)
Cambridge Chemical Company | Patents and Technology
Finite-lived Intangible Assets [Roll Forward]
Acquisitions	$ 5,228	[3]

[1] In 2014 we reduced intangible assets by $68.5 million and related accumulated amortization by $27.6 million in connection with the sale of our antioxidant, ibuprofen and propofol businesses and assets which closed on September 1, 2014. See Note 2 “Discontinued Operations” for additional information about this transaction.

[2] Trade names include a gross carrying amount of $9.2 million for an indefinite-lived intangible asset.

[3] Increase in Patents and Technology relates to a purchase accounting adjustment in connection with our acquisition of Cambridge Chemical Company, Ltd.