| Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2016 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Related-party transactions | Related-party transactions: For periods prior to May 15, 2016, these Consolidated Financial Statements include allocated expenses associated with centralized WestRock support functions including legal, accounting, tax, treasury, internal audit, information technology, human resources and other services. The costs associated with these functions generally include all payroll and benefit costs as well as related overhead costs. For periods prior to May 15, 2016, these Consolidated Financial Statements also include allocated costs associated with WestRock’s office facilities, corporate insurance coverage and medical, pension, post-retirement and other health plan costs attributed to Ingevity’s employees participating in WestRock’s sponsored plans. Allocations are generally based on a number of utilization measures including employee count and proportionate effort. In situations in which determinations based on utilization are impracticable, WestRock and Ingevity used other methods and criteria such as net sales which are believed to result in reasonable estimates of costs attributable to Ingevity. Such allocated expenses are components of net income in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and are therefore included as a component of net cash provided by (or used in) operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. All such amounts have been assumed to have been immediately settled by Ingevity to WestRock in the period in which the costs were recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements. We believe the related-party allocations included in these Consolidated Financial Statements for periods prior to the Separation have been made on a reasonable basis. However, these Consolidated Financial Statements may not necessarily be indicative of the results of operations that would have been obtained if Ingevity had operated as a separate entity during the periods presented prior to May 15, 2016. Actual costs that may have been incurred if Ingevity had been a stand-alone business would depend on a number of factors, including organizational structure and what functions were outsourced or performed by employees, as well as strategic decisions made in areas such as information technology and infrastructure. Consequently, Ingevity’s future earnings while operated as an independent business could include items of income and expense that are materially different from what is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations prior to the Separation. Accordingly, the Consolidated Financial Statements for the periods presented prior to the Separation are not necessarily indicative of Ingevity’s future results of operations, financial position and cash flows. |
| Net parent investment | Net parent investment: At December 31, 2015, Ingevity’s net parent investment on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, which includes retained earnings, represents WestRock’s interest in the recorded net assets of Ingevity and is presented as “Equity” in lieu of stockholders’ equity. All significant transactions between Ingevity and WestRock have been included in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. For periods prior to the Separation, transactions with WestRock are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity as “Transactions with Parent” and in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets within “Equity.” The transactions with WestRock have been considered cash receipts and payments for the purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and are reflected in financing activities in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for periods prior to the Separation. Prior to the Separation, the net parent investment was affected by Ingevity’s operating results, expense allocations from WestRock and cash transfers between Ingevity and WestRock, including settlement of intercompany transactions and amounts paid or received related to interest and domestic income taxes, as WestRock managed all treasury and domestic tax activities of Ingevity prior to the Separation. Central treasury activities include the investment of surplus cash and foreign currency risk management. All WestRock funding to Ingevity since inception has been accounted for as capital contributions from WestRock and all cash remittances from Ingevity to WestRock have been accounted for as distributions to WestRock for periods prior to the Separation. In addition, interest expense associated with WestRock’s debt has been allocated to Ingevity based upon average net assets of Ingevity as a percentage of average net assets plus average consolidated debt not attributable to other operations of WestRock for periods prior to the Separation. We believe this method of allocating interest expense produces reasonable results because average net assets is a significant factor in determining the amount of WestRock borrowings. Interest expense allocated to Ingevity’s Consolidated Statements of Operations was $7.2 million , $13.5 million and $9.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. No WestRock corporate-level debt has been allocated to Ingevity’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
| Noncontrolling interests | Noncontrolling interests: When our ownership in a consolidated legal entity is less than 100 percent, the outside stockholders' interests are shown as noncontrolling interests. |
| Use of Estimates | Estimates and assumptions: In preparing the financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results are likely to differ from those estimates, but we do not believe such differences will materially affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. |
| Translation of foreign currencies | Translation of foreign currencies: The local currency is the functional currency for all of Ingevity’s significant operations outside the United States (“U.S.”). The assets and liabilities of Ingevity's foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using period-end exchange rates, and adjustments resulting from these financial statement translations are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Revenues and expenses are translated at average rates prevailing during each period. |
| Cash equivalents | Cash equivalents: Highly liquid securities with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. |
| Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts | Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts: Accounts receivable, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are comprised of trade receivable less allowances for doubtful accounts. Trade receivables consist of amounts owed to Ingevity from customer sales and are recorded at the invoiced amounts when revenue is recognized and generally do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable loss in the existing accounts receivable. We determine the allowance based on historical write-off experience, current collection trends, and external business factors such as economic factors, including regional bankruptcy rates, and political factors. Past due balances over a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when it is probable that the receivable will not be recovered. |
| Concentration of credit risk | Concentration of credit risk: The financial instruments that potentially subject Ingevity to concentrations of credit risk are accounts receivable. We limit our credit risk by performing ongoing credit evaluations and, when necessary, requiring letters of credit, guarantees or collateral. |
| Inventories, net | Inventories, net: Inventories are valued at net realizable value. Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out method (“LIFO”) for substantially all raw materials, finished goods and production materials of U.S. manufacturing operations. Cost of all other inventories, including stores and supplies inventories and inventories of non-U.S. manufacturing operations, is determined by the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") or average cost methods. |
| Property, plant and equipment | Property, plant and equipment: Owned assets are recorded at cost. Also included in the cost of these assets is interest on funds borrowed during the construction period. When assets are sold, retired or disposed of, their cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheet and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in cost of sales. Repair and maintenance costs that materially add to the value of the asset or prolong its useful life are capitalized and depreciated based on the extension of the useful life; general costs of maintenance and repairs are charged to expense. |
| Depreciation | Depreciation: The cost of plant and equipment is depreciated, utilizing the straight-line method, over the estimated useful lives of the assets, the majority of which range from 20 to 40 years for buildings and leasehold improvements and 5 to 30 years for machinery and equipment. The following table provides the detail behind the useful lives and proportion of our machinery and equipment (“M&E”) in each useful life category. Percent of M&E Cost Depreciable Life in Years Types of Assets 59 20 Production vessels and kilns, storage tanks, piping 12 15 Control systems, instrumentation, metering equipment 8 25 to 30 Blending equipment, storage tanks, piping, shipping equipment and platforms, safety equipment 18 5 to 10 Production control system equipment and hardware, laboratory testing equipment 3 40 Machinery & equipment support structures and foundations |
| Impairment of long-lived assets | Impairment of long-lived assets: We periodically evaluate whether current events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our long-lived assets, including intangible assets, to be held and used may not be recoverable. If such circumstances are determined to exist, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows produced by the long-lived asset, or the appropriate grouping of assets, is compared to carrying value to determine whether impairment exists. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured based on quoted market prices in active markets, if available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair value is based on various valuation techniques, including a discounted value of estimated future cash flows. We report an asset to be disposed of at the lower of its carrying value or its estimated net realizable value. |
| Goodwill and other intangible assets | Goodwill and other intangible assets: Goodwill represents the excess of cost of an acquired business over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. We review the recorded value of goodwill at least annually at October 1, or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. If goodwill is required to be tested for impairment, a two-step process is utilized. The first step is to identify a potential impairment and the second step is to measure the amount of the impairment loss, if any. The second step is not necessary unless an impairment indicator is identified in step one. Goodwill is deemed to be impaired after step two if the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its estimated fair value. The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated primarily using an income approach, specifically the discounted cash flow method. The following assumptions are key to the income approach: 1). business projections; 2). growth rates; 3). discount rates; 4). tax rates. Other intangible assets are comprised of finite-lived intangible assets consisting primarily of brand, representing trademarks, trade names and know-how, customer contracts and relationships. Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives which range from 5 to 20 years. See Note 9 for further information. |
| Capitalized software | Capitalized software: Capitalized software for internal use is included in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Capitalized software is amortized using the straight-line over the estimated useful lives ranging from 1 to 7 years. We record software development costs in accordance with the accounting guidance provided by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. |
| Environmental and legal liabilities | Environmental and legal liabilities: Environmental expenditures that increase useful lives of assets are capitalized, while other environmental expenditures are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. We recognize a liability for other legal contingencies when a loss is probable and reasonably estimable. Liabilities recorded for claims are limited to pending cases based on Ingevity’s historical experience, consultation with outside counsel and consultation with an actuarial specialist concerning the feasibility of reasonably estimating liabilities associated with claims that may arise in the future. We recognized insurance recoveries when collection is reasonably assured. Third-party fees for legal services are expensed as incurred. |
| Revenue recognition | Revenue recognition: We recognize revenues at the point when title and the risk of ownership passes to the customer. Substantially all of Ingevity’s revenues are generated through product sales and shipping terms generally indicate when title and the risk of ownership have passed. Revenue is recognized at shipment for sales where shipping terms are FOB (freight on board) shipping point unless risk of loss is maintained under freight terms. For sales where shipping terms are FOB destination, revenue is recognized when the goods are received by the customer. We provide allowances for estimated returns and other customer credits such as discounts and volume rebates, when the revenue is recognized, based on historical experience, current trends and any notification of pending returns. |
| Shipping and handling costs | Shipping and handling costs : Shipping and handling costs are classified as a component of cost of sales. Amounts billed to a customer in a sales transaction related to shipping and handling are classified as revenue. |
| Research and development | Research and development: Included in selling, general and administrative expenses are expenditures for research and development of $7.6 million , $6.9 million and $7.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, which were expensed as incurred. |
| Income taxes | Income taxes: The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions, including China. The provision for income taxes includes income taxes paid, currently payable or receivable, and deferred taxes. We follow the liability method of accounting for income taxes in accordance with current accounting standards regarding the accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recorded based upon the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws in effect at the time the underlying assets or liabilities are recovered or settled. The ability to realize deferred tax assets is evaluated through the forecasting of taxable income, historical and projected future operating results, the reversal of existing temporary differences, and the availability of tax planning strategies. Valuation allowances are recognized to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. We do not provide income taxes on undistributed earnings of consolidated foreign subsidiaries as it is our intention that such earnings will remain invested in those companies. Please see Note 17 for more information. The Company recognizes income tax positions that are more likely than not to be realized and accrues interest related to unrecognized income tax positions, which is included as a component of the income tax provision on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Ingevity’s pre-Separation activity in the U.S. will be reported in WestRock’s U.S. consolidated income tax return and certain foreign activity will be reported in WestRock tax paying entities in those jurisdictions. Under the Tax Matters Agreement of the Separation, WestRock is responsible for the income tax liabilities associated with all U.S. operations prior to Separation and for the historic operations of certain foreign legal entities retained by WestRock after the Separation. For periods prior to the Separation, the income tax provision included in the Consolidated Financial Statements related to domestic and certain foreign operations was calculated on a separate return basis, as if Ingevity was a separate taxpayer and the resulting current tax receivable or liability, including any liabilities related to uncertain tax positions, was settled with WestRock through equity at Separation. In other foreign taxing jurisdictions, the operations of Ingevity were always conducted in discrete legal entities, each of which files separate tax returns, and all resulting income tax assets and liabilities, including any liabilities related to uncertain tax positions, are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets of Ingevity. |
| Pension and postretirement benefits | Pension and postretirement benefits: Prior to the Separation, the employees of Ingevity were participants in various defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans (“the Plans”) sponsored by WestRock and the related assets and liabilities were combined with those related to other WestRock businesses. Expense allocated under the Plans was reported within Cost of sales and Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operation. We considered the Plans to be part of a multi-employer plan with the other businesses of WestRock. In conjunction with the Separation, the employees of Ingevity stopped participating in WestRock pension and post-retirement benefit plans. We assumed certain domestic and international pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations from WestRock on the date of Separation. We established new qualified and non-qualified benefit plans to continue the pension and postretirement benefits provided to its employees and retirees based on the obligations assumed from WestRock. The expense related to the current employees of Ingevity as well as the expense related to retirees of Ingevity are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements. The costs (or benefits) and obligations related to these benefits reflect key assumptions related to general economic conditions, including interest (discount) rates, healthcare cost trend rates and expected return on plan assets. The costs (or benefits) and obligations for these benefit programs are also affected by other assumptions, such as average retirement age, mortality, employee turnover, and plan participation. To the extent our plans' actual experience, as influenced by changing economic and financial market conditions or by changes to our own plans' demographics, differs from these assumptions, the costs and obligations for providing these benefits, as well as the plans' funding requirements, could increase or decrease. When actual results differ from our assumptions, the difference is typically recognized over future periods. In addition, the unrealized gains and losses related to our pension and postretirement benefit obligations may also affect periodic benefit costs (or benefits) in future periods. See Note 14 for additional information. |
| Share-based compensation | Share-based compensation: Prior to the Separation, share-based compensation expense was allocated to Ingevity based on the portion of WestRock's incentive share-based compensation program in which employees of Ingevity participated. Upon Separation, we began granting certain employees, and non-employee directors of Ingevity different forms of benefits, including stock option, restricted stock units ("RSU"s) and performance-based restricted stock units ("PSU"s). Share-based compensation cost is measured at the date of grant, based on the fair value of the award and is recognized over the grantee's requisite service period. Substantially all compensation expense related to share-based awards is recorded as a component of Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 11 for further information |
| Operating segments | Operating segments: Ingevity’s operating segments are Performance Materials and Performance Chemicals. Our operating segments were determined based upon the nature of the products produced, the nature of the production process, the type of customer for the products, the similarity of economic characteristics, and the manner in which management reviews results. Ingevity’s chief operating decision maker evaluates the business at the segment level when making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of Ingevity as a whole. We evaluate sales in a format consistent with our reportable segments: (1) Performance Materials, which includes wood-based, chemically activated carbon products and (2) Performance Chemicals, which includes specialty pine-based chemical co-products derived from the kraft pulping process. Each segment operates as a portfolio of various end uses for the relevant raw material used in that segment. Business decisions are made and performance is generally measured based upon the total mix of end uses each raw material is being directed at in the segment. As a result of the breadth and diversity of the products within our Performance Materials segment, it is impracticable to provide revenue information by product line. |
| New Accounting Pronouncements | In October 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. The new guidance requires that entities recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs, rather than when the asset is sold to an outside party. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period. This new guidance will not have a material impact our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09 "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." The amendments in this new standard simplify several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. Under the new ASU, entities record all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as an income tax benefit or expense in the income statement, and entities classify excess tax benefits as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted, and we early adopted this new standard during our second quarter of 2016. The impact of adoption did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued its new lease accounting guidance in ASU 2016-02 "Leases." Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee’s right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures, including identifying and analyzing all contracts that contain a lease. As a lessee, the majority of our leases under existing guidance are classified as operating leases and therefore not recorded on the balance sheet but are recorded in the statement of earnings as expense as incurred. Upon adoption of the new guidance, we may be required to record the vast majority of these operating leases on the balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The timing of expense recognition and classification in the statement of earnings could change based on the classification of leases as either operating or financing; however, we have not completed our evaluation to determine to what extent. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17 “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.” The amendment requires deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with related valuation allowances, to be classified as non-current on the balance sheet. As a result, each tax jurisdiction will now only have one net non-current deferred tax asset or liability. The new guidance does not change the existing requirement that prohibits offsetting deferred tax liabilities from one jurisdiction against deferred tax assets of another jurisdiction. This standard is applicable for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods within those years and early adoption is permitted. We early adopted ASU 2015-17 effective December 31, 2015 on a prospective basis. Adoption of this ASU resulted in a reclassification of our net current deferred tax asset to the net non-current deferred tax asset in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015. No prior periods were retrospectively adjusted. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 "Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." The amendments in this new standard require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs are not affected by the amendments in this standard. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15 "Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line of Credit Arrangements." This ASU amends Subtopic 835-30 to include that the SEC staff would not object to the deferral and presentation debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequent amortization of the deferred debt issuance costs over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. These standards are applicable for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. We have adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2016, and the impact of adoption did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02 “Consolidation - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis,” which amends certain provisions of ASC 810 “Consolidation.” The amendment requires the consideration of additional criteria in (i) the analysis and determination of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities or voting interest entities and (ii) primary beneficiary determinations. The ASU also eliminates certain fees from the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with variable interest entities. The ASU is effective for annual periods, and for interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. We adopted these provisions on January 1, 2016. The impact of adoption did not have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements – Going Concern.” The update requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The update is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We adopted the guidance effective December 31, 2016. No disclosure was considered necessary as of December 31, 2016 as a result of management’s evaluation. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 which is codified in ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and supersedes both the revenue recognition requirement to ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition” and most industry-specific guidance. The core principle of ASC 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should apply the five steps set forth in ASC 606. An entity must also disclose sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative information about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. The ASU was scheduled to be effective for annual reporting periods, and for interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2016. However, in July 2015 the FASB voted to amend ASU 2014-09 by approving a one-year deferral of the effective date. As a result, we expect to adopt these provisions on January 1, 2018, including interim periods subsequent to the adoption date, which can be applied using a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach. Since the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued several amendments which clarify certain points in the new Topic 606-Revenue from Contracts with Customers, including ASU 2016-08 ("Principal versus Agent Considerations - Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net"), ASU 2016-10 ("Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing"), ASU 2016-11 ("Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting"), ASU 2016-12 ("Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients") and ASU 2016-20 ("Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606.") We anticipate adopting all of these standards at the same time effective January 1, 2018. We have begun our initial assessment of the impact that ASU 2014-09 and subsequent amendments will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. Based upon the results of our initial assessment thus far, we have tentatively decided to adopt this new standard under the modified retrospective approach which results in the recognition of the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity. We are still evaluating the impact to our financial statements and disclosures. |
