Quaker Chemical (KWR) 10-K 26 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document period end date	31-Dec-14
Amendment flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Period Focus	FY
Current fiscal year end date	-19
Entity central index key	81362
Entity current reporting status	Yes
Entity filer category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity registrant name	Quaker Chemical Corporation
Entity voluntary filers	No
Entity well known seasoned issuer	Yes
Entity common stock shares outstanding		13,304,569
Entity public float			$1,002,670,297
Trading Symbol	KWR

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$765,860	$729,395	$708,226
Cost of goods sold	492,654	468,320	469,515
Selling, general and administrative expenses	195,850	189,832	175,487
Costs and Expenses, Total	688,504	658,152	645,002
Operating income	77,356	71,243	63,224
Other income, net	767	3,519	3,415
Interest expense	-2,371	-2,922	-4,283
Interest income	2,541	986	592
Income before taxes and equity in net income of associated companies	78,293	72,826	62,948
Taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies	23,539	20,489	15,575
Income before equity in net income of associated companies	54,754	52,337	47,373
Equity in net income of associated companies	3,543	6,514	2,867
Net income	58,297	58,851	50,240
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,805	2,512	2,835
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$56,492	$56,339	$47,405
Per share data:
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - basic	$4.27	$4.28	$3.64
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - diluted	$4.26	$4.27	$3.63

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Statement Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$58,297	$58,851	$50,240
Currency translation adjustments	-15,701	-3,490	-1,510
Defined Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Net gain (loss) arising during the period, other	-6,210	6,614	-14,582
Amortization of actuarial loss	2,162	2,748	1,852
Amortization of prior service (gain) loss	-70	119	76
Current period changes in fair value of derivatives	0	0	272
Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-sale securities	-124	-142	867
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	-19,943	5,849	-13,025
Comprehensive Income	38,354	64,700	37,215
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	-1,568	-1,206	-2,698
Comprehensive income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$36,786	$63,494	$34,517

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$64,731	$68,492
Accounts receivable, net	189,484	165,629
Inventories, net	77,708	71,557
Current deferred tax assets	8,367	7,826
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	11,228	15,343
Total current assets	351,518	328,847
Property, plant and equipment, net	85,763	85,488
Goodwill	77,933	58,151
Other intangible assets, net	70,408	31,272
Investments in associated companies	21,751	19,397
Non-current deferred tax assets	24,411	24,724
Other assets	33,742	36,267
Total assets	665,526	584,146
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	403	1,395
Accounts payable	74,987	72,281
Dividends payable	3,990	3,299
Accrued compensation	19,853	20,801
Accrued Pension and Postretirement Benefits, Current	1,239	1,438
Current deferred tax liabilities	732	1,057
Other current liabilities	23,697	30,585
Total current liabilities	124,901	130,856
Long-term debt	75,328	17,321
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	8,584	6,729
Accrued Pension and Postretirement Benefits, Non-current	46,088	37,006
Other non-current liabilities	45,490	47,538
Total liabilities	300,391	239,450
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Common stock $1 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2014 - 13,300,891 shares; 2013 - 13,196,140 shares	13,301	13,196
Capital in excess of par value	99,056	99,038
Retained earnings	299,524	258,285
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	-54,406	-34,700
Total Quaker shareholders equity	357,475	335,819
Noncontrolling interest	7,660	8,877
Total equity	365,135	344,696
Total liabilities and equity	$665,526	$584,146

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common Stock Par Value	$1	$1
Common Stock Shares Authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common Stock Shares, Issued	13,300,891	13,196,140

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$58,297	$58,851	$50,240
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	12,306	12,339	12,252
Amortization	4,325	3,445	3,106
Equity in undistributed earnings of associated companies, net of dividends	-3,180	-4,162	-2,350
Deferred income taxes	1,007	-30	2,354
Uncertain tax positions (non-deferred portion)	-1,256	-1,826	-1,407
Acquisition-related fair value adjustments	0	200	-1,909
Deferred compensation and other, net	3,174	-259	-156
Stock-based compensation	5,309	4,161	3,807
Loss (Gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment	-86	200	-108
Insurance settlement realized	-1,907	-988	-1,391
Pension and other postretirement benefits	1,265	862	-1,427
(Decrease) increase in cash from changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	-24,944	-11,837	779
Inventories	-5,484	406	3,228
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,003	-743	504
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	2,999	11,301	-2,562
Estimated taxes on income	862	1,881	-2,067
Net cash provided by operating activities	54,690	73,801	62,893
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital Expenditures	-13,052	-11,439	-12,735
Payments related to acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-73,527	-2,478	-5,635
Proceeds from disposition of assets	201	513	245
Insurance settlement received and interest earned	44	52	69
Change in restricted cash, net	1,863	936	1,322
Net cash used in investing activities	-84,471	-12,416	-16,734
Cash flows from financing activities
Net decrease in short-term borrowings	0	0	-315
Proceeds from long-term debt	58,771	0	0
Repayment of long-term debt	-1,368	-12,791	-17,632
Dividends paid	-14,562	-13,018	-12,616
Stock options exercised, other	804	-307	-924
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	453	815	2,045
Purchase of noncontrolling interest in affiliates, net	-7,422	0	0
Payment of acquisition-related earnout liability	-4,709	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling affiliate shareholders	-1,806	-905	-1,099
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	30,161	-26,206	-30,541
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-4,141	766	20
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-3,761	35,945	15,638
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	68,492	32,547
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	64,731	68,492	32,547
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Income Taxes Paid	22,713	17,744	13,190
Interest Paid	1,894	1,776	2,809
Other Noncash Investing And Financing Items [Abstract]
Change in accrued purchases of property, plant and equipment, net	($1,158)	$1,287	$0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
In Thousands
Balance at at Dec. 31, 2011	$261,357	$12,912	$89,725	$180,710	($28,967)	$6,977
Net income	50,240	0	0	47,405	0	2,835
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-13,025	0	0	0	-12,888	-137
Dividends Common Stock	-12,725	0	0	-12,725	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling affiliate shareholders	-1,099	0	0	0	0	-1,099
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and other	-1,194	102	-1,296	0	0	0
Shares issued for empoyee stock purchase plan	270	7	263	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation plans	3,807	74	3,733	0	0	0
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	2,045	0	2,045	0	0	0
Balance at at Dec. 31, 2012	289,676	13,095	94,470	215,390	-41,855	8,576
Net income	58,851	0	0	56,339	0	2,512
Adjustment to Prior Period earnings	335	0	0	-335	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	5,849	0	0	0	7,155	-1,306
Dividends Common Stock	-13,109	0	0	-13,109	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling affiliate shareholders	-905	0	0	0	0	-905
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and other	-644	24	-668	0	0	0
Shares issued for empoyee stock purchase plan	337	6	331	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation plans	4,161	71	4,090	0	0	0
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	815	0	815	0	0	0
Balance at at Dec. 31, 2013	344,696	13,196	99,038	258,285	-34,700	8,877
Net income	58,297	0	0	56,492	0	1,805
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-19,943	0	0	0	-19,706	-237
Dividends Common Stock	-15,253	0	0	-15,253	0	0
Distributions to noncontrolling affiliate shareholders	-1,806	0	0	0	0	-1,806
Acqusition of Noncontrolling Interest, net	-7,422	0	-6,443	0	0	-979
Shares issued upon exercise of stock options and other	388	19	369	0	0	0
Shares issued for empoyee stock purchase plan	416	6	410	0	0	0
Equity-based compensation plans	5,309	80	5,229	0	0	0
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	453	0	453	0	0	0
Balance at at Dec. 31, 2014	$365,135	$13,301	$99,056	$299,524	($54,406)	$7,660

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cha1

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statement Of Changes In Equity Parentheticals [Abstract]
Dividends declared	$1.15	$1.00	$0.98

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Note 1 – Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of consolidation: All majority-owned subsidiaries are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements, with appropriate elimination of intercompany balances and transactions. Investments in associated companies (less than majority-owned and in which the Company has significant influence) are accounted for under the equity method. The Company's share of net income or losses in these investments in associated companies is included in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company periodically reviews these investments for impairments and, if necessary, would adjust these investments to their fair value when a decline in market value or other impairment indicators are deemed to be other than temporary.
	During the first quarter of 2014, the Company revised its Consolidated Balance Sheet for December 31, 2013 with a $335 reduction to retained earnings and a corresponding increase to its long-term deferred tax liability, relating to an adjustment that would have occurred when the Company adopted the equity method of accounting for its interest in a captive insurance equity affiliate.
	The Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB's”) guidance regarding the consolidation of certain Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) generally requires that assets, liabilities and results of the activities of a VIE be consolidated into the financial statements of the enterprise that is considered the primary beneficiary. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained and would include any VIEs if the Company was the primary beneficiary pursuant to the provisions of the applicable guidance.
	Translation of foreign currency: Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries and associated companies are translated into U.S. Dollars at the respective rates of exchange prevailing at the end of the year. Income and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are recorded directly in equity as accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income and will be included as income or expense only upon sale or liquidation of the underlying investment. Generally, all of the Company's non-U.S. subsidiaries use their local currency as their functional currency.
	Cash and cash equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	Inventories: Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value, and are valued using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. See also Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Long-lived assets: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method on an individual asset basis over the following estimated useful lives: buildings and improvements, 10 to 45 years; and machinery and equipment, 1 to 15 years. The carrying value of long-lived assets is periodically evaluated whenever changes in circumstances or current events indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. An estimate of undiscounted cash flows produced by the asset, or the appropriate group of assets, is compared with the carrying value to determine whether an impairment exists. If necessary, the Company recognizes an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount of the assets and their estimated fair value. Fair value is based on current and anticipated future cash flows. Upon sale or other dispositions of long-lived assets, the applicable amounts of asset cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the net amount, less proceeds from disposals, is recorded in income. Expenditures for renewals or improvements that increase the estimated useful life or capacity of the assets are capitalized, whereas expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred.
	Capitalized software: The Company capitalizes certain costs in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use. These costs are amortized over a period of three to five years once the assets are ready for their intended use. In connection with the implementations and upgrades to the Company's global transaction, consolidation and other related systems, approximately $1,350 and $1,198 of net costs were capitalized in property, plant and equipment on the Company's December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively.
	Goodwill and other intangible assets: The Company records goodwill, definite-lived intangible assets and indefinite-lived intangible assets at fair value at the date of acquisition. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. These tests will be performed more frequently if triggering events indicate potential impairment. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally for periods ranging from 4 to 20 years. The Company continually evaluates the reasonableness of the useful lives of these assets, consistent with the discussion of long-lived assets, above. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Revenue recognition: The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the terms of the underlying agreements, when title and risk of loss have been transferred, when collectability is reasonably assured, and when pricing is fixed or determinable. This generally occurs when products are shipped to customers or, for consignment-type arrangements, upon usage by the customer and when services are performed. License fees and royalties are included in other income when recognized in accordance with their agreed-upon terms, when performance obligations are satisfied, when the amount is fixed or determinable, and when collectability is reasonably assured. As part of the Company's chemical management services, certain third-party product sales to customers are managed by the Company. Where the Company acts as a principal, revenues are recognized on a gross reporting basis at the selling price negotiated with its customers. Where the Company acts as an agent, such revenue is recorded using net reporting as service revenue at the amount of the administrative fee earned by the Company for ordering the goods. Third-party products transferred under arrangements resulting in net reporting totaled $46,844, $41,553 and $39,299 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts: Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company's best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses with its existing accounts receivable. Reserves for customers filing for bankruptcy protection are generally established at 75-100% of the amount outstanding at the bankruptcy filing date. However, initially establishing a reserve and the amount thereto is dependent on the Company's evaluation of likely proceeds to be received from the bankruptcy process, which could result in the Company recognizing minimal or no reserve at the date of bankruptcy. Large and/or financially distressed customers are generally reserved for on a specific review basis while a general reserve is established for other customers based on historical experience. The Company performs a formal review of its allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company feels it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its customers. During 2014, the Company's five largest customers accounted for approximately 18% of its consolidated net sales with the largest customer (Arcelor-Mittal Group) accounting for approximately 9% of the Company's consolidated net sales.
	During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded charges of $825, or $0.05 per diluted share, $0 and $1,254, or $0.06 per diluted share, respectively, to its allowance for doubtful accounts and selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) due to the bankruptcies of certain customers. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Research and development costs: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in SG&A. Research and development expenses were $22,134, $21,578 and $19,993 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Concentration of credit risk: Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk, principally consist of cash equivalents, short-term investments and trade receivables. The Company invests temporary and excess funds in money market securities and financial instruments having maturities typically within 90 days. The Company has not experienced losses from the aforementioned investments.
	Environmental liabilities and expenditures: Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. If there is a range of estimated liability and no amount in that range is considered more probable than another, then the Company records the lowest amount in the range in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Accrued liabilities are exclusive of claims against third parties and are not discounted. Environmental costs and remediation costs are capitalized if the costs extend the life, increase the capacity or improve safety or efficiency of the property from the date acquired or constructed, and/or mitigate or prevent contamination in the future.
	Asset retirement obligations: The Company follows the FASB's guidance regarding asset retirement obligations, which addresses the accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated retirement costs. Also, the Company follows the FASB's guidance for conditional asset retirement obligations (“CARO”), which relates to legal obligations to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. In accordance with this guidance, the Company records a liability when there is enough information regarding the timing of the CARO to perform a probability-weighted discounted cash flow analysis. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had limited exposure to such obligations and had immaterial liabilities recorded for such on its Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Pension and other postretirement benefits: The Company maintains various noncontributory retirement plans, the largest of which is in the U.S., covering substantially all of its employees in the U.S. and certain other countries. The plans of the Company's subsidiaries in The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Sweden are subject to the provisions of FASB's guidance regarding employers' accounting for defined benefit pension plans. The plans of the remaining non-U.S. subsidiaries are, for the most part, either fully insured or integrated with the local governments' plans and are not subject to the provisions of the guidance. The guidance requires that employers recognize on a prospective basis the funded status of their defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans on their consolidated balance sheet and, also, recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost. The Company's U.S. pension plan year ends on November 30 and the measurement date is December 31. The measurement date for the Company's other postretirement benefits plan is December 31.
	The Company's pension investment policy is designed to ensure that pension assets are invested in a manner consistent with meeting the future benefit obligations of the pension plans and maintaining compliance with various laws and regulations including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). The Company establishes strategic asset allocation percentage targets and appropriate benchmarks for significant asset classes with the aim of achieving a prudent balance between return and risk. The Company's investment horizon is generally long term, and, accordingly, the target asset allocations encompass a long-term perspective of capital markets, expected risk and return and perceived future economic conditions while also considering the profile of plan liabilities. To the extent feasible, the short-term investment portfolio is managed to immunize the short-term obligations, the intermediate portfolio duration is immunized to reduce the risk of volatility in intermediate plan distributions, and the total return portfolio is expected to maximize the long-term real growth of plan assets. The critical investment principles of diversification, assessment of risk and targeting the optimal expected returns for given levels of risk are applied. The Company's investment guidelines prohibit use of securities such as letter stock and other unregistered securities, commodities or commodity contracts, short sales, margin transactions, private placements (unless specifically addressed by addendum), or any derivatives, options or futures for the purpose of portfolio leveraging.
	The target asset allocation is reviewed periodically and is determined based on a long-term projection of capital market outcomes, inflation rates, fixed income yields, returns, volatilities and correlation relationships. The interaction between plan assets and benefit obligations is periodically studied to assist in establishing such strategic asset allocation targets. Asset performance is monitored with an overall expectation that plan assets will meet or exceed benchmark performance over rolling five-year periods. The Company's pension committee, as authorized by the Company's Board of Directors, has discretion to manage the assets within established asset allocation ranges approved by senior management of the Company. As of December 31, 2014, the plan's investments were in compliance with all approved ranges of asset allocations. See Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Comprehensive income (loss): The Company presents other comprehensive income (loss) in its Statement of Comprehensive Income. The Company follows the FASB's guidance regarding the disclosure of reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) which requires the disclosure of significant amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI, the related tax amounts and the income statement line items affected by such reclassifications. The Company elected to present the information in its Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. See Note 19 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Income taxes and uncertain tax positions: The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. The provision for income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable for the current year and the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes result from differences between the financial and tax bases of the Company's assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when changes are enacted. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. The FASB's guidance regarding accounting for uncertainty in income taxes prescribes the recognition threshold and measurement attributes for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. The guidance further requires the determination of whether the benefits of tax positions will be more likely than not sustained upon audit based upon the technical merits of the tax position. For tax positions that are determined to be more likely than not sustained upon audit, a company recognizes the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement in the financial statements. For tax positions that are not determined to be more likely than not sustained upon audit, a company does not recognize any portion of the benefit in the financial statements. Additionally, the guidance provides for derecognition, classification, penalties and interest, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The guidance also requires that the amount of interest expense and income to be recognized related to uncertain tax positions be computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between the tax position recognized, including timing differences, and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company's continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company follows the FASB's guidance that requires an entity to net its liability for unrecognized tax benefits against deferred tax assets related to net operating losses or other tax credit carryforwards that would apply if the uncertain tax position were settled for the presumed amount at the balance sheet date. See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Derivatives: The Company is exposed to the impact of changes in interest rates, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in commodity prices and credit risk. The Company is currently not using derivative instruments to mitigate the risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations, changes in commodity prices or credit risk, but has used derivative financial instruments primarily for purposes of hedging exposures to fluctuations in interest rates in the past. When used, the Company recognized all derivatives on its balance sheet at fair value. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of any hedge would be reported in AOCI until it was cleared to earnings during the same period in which the hedged item affected earnings. The Company currently uses no derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges and has not entered into derivative contracts for trading or speculative purposes. See Note 22 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Fair value measurements: The Company utilizes the FASB's guidance regarding fair value measurements, which establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to guidance requiring use of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements. Specifically, the guidance utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:
		•	Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
		•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
		•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions.
	Stock-based compensation: The Company applies the FASB's guidance regarding share-based payments, which requires the recognition of the fair value of stock-based compensation as a component of expense. The Company has a long-term incentive program (“LTIP”) for key employees which provides for the granting of options to purchase stock at prices not less than its market value on the date of the grant. Most options become exercisable between one and three years after the date of the grant for a period of time determined by the Company, but not to exceed seven years from the date of grant. Common stock awards and Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”) issued under the LTIP program are subject only to time vesting over a one to five-year period. In addition, as part of the Company's Global Annual Incentive Plan (“GAIP”), nonvested shares may be issued to key employees, which generally vest over a two to five-year period. Based on historical experience, the Company has generally assumed a forfeiture rate of 13% on its nonvested stock awards. The Company will record additional expense if the actual forfeiture rate is lower than estimated, and will record a recovery of prior expense if the actual forfeiture is higher than estimated. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Earnings per share: The Company follows the FASB's guidance regarding the calculation of earnings per share (“EPS”) for nonvested stock awards with rights to non-forfeitable dividends. The guidance requires nonvested stock awards with rights to non-forfeitable dividends to be included as part of the basic weighted average share calculation under the two-class method. See Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Segments: The Company's reporting segments are the same as the Company's operating segments. The Company's reportable operating segments evidence the structure of the Company's internal organization, the method by which the Company's resources are allocated and the manner by which the Company assesses its performance. The Company's reportable operating segments are organized by geography as follows: (i) North America, (ii) Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”), (iii) Asia/Pacific and (iv) South America. See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
	Reclassifications: Certain information has been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
	Accounting estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosure of contingencies at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

Recently_Issued_Accounting_Sta

Recently Issued Accounting Standards	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements And Changes In Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Description Of New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted [Text Block]	Note 2 – Recently Issued Accounting Standards
	The FASB issued an accounting standard in August 2014 to outline specific requirements for an entity to evaluate its ability to continue as a going concern. The new guidance requires a company to assess whether certain conditions or events exist at the date financial statements are issued that may raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern for the next year. If a company concludes that it is not able to continue as a going concern and it is not able to mitigate the conditions and events that resulted in the entity's ability to continue as a going concern, footnote disclosure is required. The guidance is effective for the annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects of this guidance, but does not expect a material impact.
	The FASB issued an accounting standard update in May 2014 regarding the accounting for and disclosure of revenue recognition. Specifically, the update outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers, which will be common to both GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The model focuses on revenue recognition to reflect the actual consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for the goods or services defined in the contract, including multiple performance obligations. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, which allows for full retrospective adoption of prior period data or a modified retrospective adoption, whereby the cumulative past effects are recorded and disclosed in the current period. Early adoption is not permitted. Currently, the Company is evaluating the effect that the guidance may have on its financial statements.

Out_Of_Period_Adjustment

Out Of Period Adjustment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Text Block]	Note 3 – Out-of-Period Adjustment
	During 2012, the Company reassessed its ability to significantly influence the operating and financial policies of its captive insurance equity affiliate, Primex, Ltd. (“Primex”). Based on its ownership percentage and other factors, the Company determined that, during 2012, the Company obtained the ability to significantly influence Primex and, as a result, changed its method of accounting from the cost to equity method. During the first quarter of 2013, the Company identified errors in Primex's estimated 2012 financial statements, which primarily related to a reinsurance contract held by Primex. The identified errors resulted in a cumulative $1,038 understatement of the Company's equity in net income from associated companies for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company corrected the errors related to Primex in the first quarter of 2013, which had the net effect of increasing equity in net income from associated companies by $1,038 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company did not believe this adjustment was material to its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 or to the Company's results for the year ended December 31, 2013 and, therefore, did not restate any prior period amounts.

Business_Segments

Business Segments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Disclosures [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 4 – Business Segments
	The Company's reportable operating segments are organized by geography as follows: (i) North America, (ii) EMEA, (iii) Asia/Pacific and (iv) South America. Operating earnings, excluding indirect operating expenses, for the Company's reportable operating segments are comprised of revenues less costs of goods sold and SG&A directly related to the respective regions' product sales. The indirect operating expenses consist of SG&A related expenses that are not directly attributable to the product sales of each respective reportable operating segment. Other items not specifically identified with the Company's reportable operating segments include interest expense, interest income, license fees from non-consolidated affiliates and other income (expense).
	The following tables present information about the performance of the Company's reportable operating segments for the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
			2014			2013			2012
	Net sales
		North America	$	334,400		$	308,353		$	310,127
		EMEA		195,309			187,794			174,799
		Asia/Pacific		185,974			169,505			157,062
		South America		50,177			63,743			66,238
		Total net sales	$	765,860		$	729,395		$	708,226
			2014			2013			2012
	Operating earnings, excluding indirect operating expenses
		North America	$	68,296		$	61,307		$	58,571
		EMEA		32,589			29,643			24,640
		Asia/Pacific		43,847			42,373			37,030
		South America		4,292			9,177			6,730
		Total operating earnings, excluding indirect operating expenses		149,024			142,500			126,971
		Non-operating charges		-67,110			-67,145			-59,983
		Depreciation of corporate assets and amortization		-4,558			-4,112			-3,764
		Consolidated operating income		77,356			71,243			63,224
		Other income, net		767			3,519			3,415
		Interest expense		-2,371			-2,922			-4,283
		Interest income		2,541			986			592
		Consolidated income before taxes and equity in net income
		of associated companies	$	78,293		$	72,826		$	62,948
	The following tables present information regarding the Company's reportable segments' assets as of December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
				2014			2013			2012
		Segment assets
			North America	$	340,385		$	298,305		$	279,253
			EMEA		124,273			103,414			101,532
			Asia/Pacific		170,580			144,682			116,853
			South America		30,288			37,745			38,996
			Total segment assets	$	665,526		$	584,146		$	536,634
	During 2014, the Company revised its December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 segment asset detail, increasing / (decreasing) its previously published amounts in North America by ($5,764) and ($5,109), in EMEA by ($1,360) and ($627), in Asia/Pacific by $14,788 and $15,093 and in South America by ($7,664) and ($9,357), respectively. The Company considers such revisions to be immaterial.
				2014			2013			2012
		Segment long-lived assets
			North America	$	92,319		$	91,464		$	91,121
			EMEA		20,634			20,863			20,056
			Asia/Pacific		24,392			24,695			19,720
			South America		3,911			4,130			5,276
			Total segment long-lived assets	$	141,256		$	141,152		$	136,173
	The following tables present information regarding the Company's reportable segments' capital expenditures and depreciation as of December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
				2014			2013			2012
		Capital expenditures
			North America	$	3,658		$	2,793		$	3,262
			EMEA		4,811			1,391			3,332
			Asia/Pacific		3,202			6,386			5,451
			South America		1,381			869			690
			Total segment capital expenditures	$	13,052		$	11,439		$	12,735
				2014			2013			2012
		Depreciation
			North America	$	5,231		$	5,236		$	5,635
			EMEA		3,069			3,145			2,906
			Asia/Pacific		2,713			2,080			1,720
			South America		1,060			1,211			1,333
			Total segment depreciation	$	12,073		$	11,672		$	11,594
	The following table presents information regarding the Company's product lines that represent more than 10% of consolidated revenues for December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, with the remaining product sales being impractical to present:
				2014			2013			2012
		Rolling lubricants		20.1	%		20.7	%		20.7	%
		Machining and grinding compounds		16.3	%		17.7	%		17.6	%
		Hydraulic fluids		13	%		12.9	%		13.5	%
		Corrosion preventives		12.5	%		12.5	%		12.4	%
	During the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the North American segment had approximately $35,532, $29,002 and $27,125 of net sales, respectively, which were attributable to non-domestic operations. At December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the North American segment had approximately $3,145, $3,649 and $3,716 of long-lived assets, respectively, which were attributable to non-domestic operations.
	Inter-segment revenue for the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $8,001, $8,984 and $10,026 for North America, $22,321, $20,135 and $15,414 for EMEA, $414, $504 and $321 for Asia/Pacific, and zero in all periods for South America, respectively. However, all inter-segment transactions have been eliminated from each reportable operating segment's net sales and earnings for all periods presented in the above tables.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	Note 5 – Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognized share-based compensation expense in SG&A in its Consolidated Statement of Income for the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, including the following:
				December 31,
					2014			2013			2012
		Stock options		$	663		$	517		$	542
		Nonvested stock awards and restricted stock units			2,473			1,900			1,504
		Employee stock purchase plan			73			60			48
		Non-elective and elective 401(k) matching contribution in stock			1,975			1,612			1,653
		Director stock ownership plan			125			72			60
		Total share-based compensation expense		$	5,309		$	4,161		$	3,807
	As of December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company recorded $453, $815 and $2,045, respectively, of excess tax benefits in capital in excess of par value on its Consolidated Balance Sheets related to stock option exercises. For 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company also recognized these benefits as a cash inflow from financing activities in its Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, which represents the Company's estimate of cash savings during 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	Stock option activity under all plans is as follows:
			2014								2013
					Weighted				Weighted			Weighted		Weighted
					Average				Average			Average		Average
					Exercise				Remaining			Exercise		Remaining
			Number of		Price				Contractual		Number of	Price		Contractual
			Shares		per Share				Term (years)		Shares	per Share		Term (years)
	Options outstanding at January 1,		75,251		$	44.49					107,455	$	31.23
		Options granted	37,048			73.47					29,302		58.26
		Options exercised	-25,224			36.65					-57,137		27.12
		Options forfeited	0			0					-3,601		37.81
		Options expired	0			0					-768		37.37
	Options outstanding at December 31,		87,075		$	59.09			5.2		75,251	$	44.49	5.2
	Options exercisable at December 31,		18,696		$	44.38			4.1		11,840	$	28.42	3.9
	The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2014 was approximately $1,139. Intrinsic value is calculated as the difference between the current market price of the underlying security and the strike price of a related option. As of December 31, 2014, the total intrinsic value of options outstanding was $2,889 and the total intrinsic value of exercisable options was approximately $895.
	A summary of the Company's outstanding stock options at December 31, 2014 is as follows:
									Number		Weighted	Weighted		Number		Weighted
									Outstanding		Average	Average		Exercisable		Average
		Range of							at		Contractual	Exercise		at		Exercise
		Exercise Prices							12/31/14		Life	Price		12/31/14		Price
		$	0		-		$	10	0		0	$	0	0		$	0
		$	10.01		-		$	20	2,367		2.1		18.82	2,367			18.82
		$	20.01		-		$	30	0		0		0	0			0
		$	30.01		-		$	40	18,296		4		37.96	7,230			37.71
		$	40.01		-		$	50	2,192		4.5		46.21	1,462			46.21
		$	50.01		-		$	60	27,172		5.2		58.26	7,637			58.26
		$	60.01		-		$	70	0		0		0	0			0
		$	70.01		-		$	80	37,048		6.2		73.47	0			0
									87,075		5.2		59.09	18,696			44.38
	As of December 31, 2014, unrecognized compensation expense related to options granted in 2012 was $41, for options granted during 2013 was $251 and for options granted in 2014 was $590.
	Consistent with prior years, the Company granted stock options under its LTIP plan that are subject only to time vesting over a three-year period in the first quarters of 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Also, in connection with a transition of key employees during the second quarter of 2012, stock options were granted that are also only subject to time vesting over a three-year period. For the purposes of determining the fair value of stock option awards, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the assumptions set forth in the table below:
				For the Year Ended December 31,										June 30,
				2014			2013			2012		2011		2012
		Number of stock options granted		37,048			29,302			37,965		36,835		2,192
		Dividend yield		2	%		2.49	%		3.09	%	5	%	2.69	%
		Expected volatility		43.34	%		57.28	%		69.9	%	62.13	%	69.09	%
		Risk-free interest rate		1.22	%		0.63	%		0.61	%	1.99	%	0.58	%
		Expected term (years)		4			4			4		5		4
	These awards are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the respective vesting period of each award. The compensation expense recorded on each award during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, is as follows:
				Year Ended December 31,
				2014			2013			2012
		2014 Stock option awards	$	227		$	0		$	0
		2013 Stock option awards	$	213		$	174		$	0
		2012 Stock option awards	$	199		$	189		$	167
		2011 Stock option awards	$	24		$	138		$	164
	Activity of nonvested shares granted under the Company's LTIP plan is shown below:
					Weighted
					Average Grant
			Number of		Date Fair Value
			Shares		(per share)
		Nonvested awards, December 31, 2013	115,984		$	47.27
		Granted	56,258		$	73.95
		Vested	-43,897		$	41.17
	Forfeited	-3,895		$	37.01
	Nonvested awards, December 31, 2014	124,450		$	61.8
The fair value of the nonvested stock is based on the trading price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The Company adjusts the grant date fair value for expected forfeitures based on historical experience for similar awards. As of December 31, 2014, unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards was $4,213, to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 2.24 years.
Activity of nonvested restricted stock units granted under the Company's LTIP plan is shown below:
				Weighted
				Average Grant
		Number of		Date Fair Value
		Units		(per unit)
	Nonvested awards, December 31, 2013	4,018		$	49.71
	Granted	3,140		$	75.52
	Nonvested awards, December 31, 2014	7,158		$	61.03
The fair value of the nonvested restricted stock units is based on the trading price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The Company adjusts the grant date fair value for expected forfeitures based on historical experience for similar awards. As of December 31, 2014, unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards was $204 to be recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 1.84 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In 2000, the Board adopted an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) whereby employees may purchase Company stock through a payroll deduction plan. Purchases are made from the plan and credited to each participant's account at the end of each month, the “Investment Date.” The purchase price of the stock is 85% of the fair market value on the Investment Date. The plan is compensatory and the 15% discount is expensed on the Investment Date. All employees, including officers, are eligible to participate in this plan. A participant may withdraw all uninvested payment balances credited to a participant's account at any time. An employee whose stock ownership of the Company exceeds five percent of the outstanding common stock is not eligible to participate in this plan.
2013 Director Stock Ownership Plan
In March 2013, the Company adopted the 2013 Director Stock Ownership Plan (the “Plan”), subject to the approval by the Company's shareholders at the annual meeting, to encourage the Directors to increase their investment in the Company. The Plan was approved at the Company's May 2013 shareholders' meeting. The Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 75,000 shares of Quaker common stock in accordance with the terms of the Plan in payment of all or a portion of the annual cash retainer payable to each of the Company's non-employee directors in 2013 and subsequent years during the term of the Plan. Under the Plan, each director who, on May 1st of the applicable calendar year, owns less than 400% of the annual cash retainer for the applicable calendar year, divided by the average of the closing price of a share of Quaker Common Stock as reported by the composite tape of the New York Stock Exchange for the previous calendar year (the “Threshold Amount”), is required to receive 75% of the annual cash retainer in Quaker common stock and 25% of the retainer in cash, unless the director elects to receive a greater percentage of Quaker common stock (up to 100%) of the annual cash retainer for the applicable year. Each director who owns more than the Threshold Amount may elect to receive common stock in payment of a percentage (up to 100%) of the annual cash retainer. The annual retainer is $50 and the retainer payment date is June 1. The Plan was adopted in order to replace the 2003 Director Stock Ownership Plan, which expired in May 2013.

Other_Income_Expense

Other Income (Expense)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 6 – Other income, net
	Other income, net includes:
				2014		2013		2012
		Non-income tax and other related refunds		$	582	$	2,876	$	358
		Change in fair value of acquisition-related liabilities			0		497		2,770
		Income from third party license fees			1,063		1,027		1,264
		Foreign exchange losses, net			-1,039		-1,076		-1,034
		Asset impairment related to a cost streamlining initiative			0		-211		0
		Gain on fixed asset disposals, net			128		382		25
		Other non-operating income			329		247		337
		Other non-operating expense			-296		-223		-305
			Total other income, net	$	767	$	3,519	$	3,415

Taxes_on_Income

Taxes on Income	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Taxes on Income and Uncertain Tax Positions [Abstract]
Taxes on Income [Text Block]	Note 7 – Taxes on Income and Uncertain Tax Positions
	Taxes (benefit) on income consist of the following:
					Year Ended December 31,
					2014			2013			2012
		Current:
			Federal	$	8,086		$	7,216		$	3,318
			State		796			263			-69
			Foreign		13,650			13,040			9,972
					22,532			20,519			13,221
		Deferred:
			Federal		2,548			155			4,409
			State		57			138			-794
			Foreign		-1,598			-323			-1,261
		Total		$	23,539		$	20,489		$	15,575
	The components of earnings before income taxes were as follows:
					Year Ended December 31,
					2014			2013			2012
		Domestic		$	32,391		$	25,900		$	26,520
		Foreign			45,902			46,926			36,428
		Total		$	78,293		$	72,826		$	62,948
	Total deferred tax assets and liabilities are composed of the following at December 31:
				2014						2013
					Current			Non-current			Current		Non-current
		Retirement benefits		$	568		$	11,179		$	585	$	9,371
		Allowance for doubtful accounts			2,237			0			1,990		0
		Insurance and litigation reserves			615			245			677		126
		Postretirement benefits			0			2,137			0		1,951
		Supplemental retirement benefits			0			3,448			0		3,010
		Performance incentives			3,821			884			3,858		686
		Equity-based compensation			353			939			351		585
		Insurance settlement			0			8,429			6		9,071
		Operating loss carryforward			0			8,657			0		9,228
		Uncertain tax positions			0			4,313			0		5,806
		Other			1,293			780			975		888
					8,887			41,011			8,442		40,722
		Valuation allowance			-900			-6,445			-924		-6,742
		Total deferred income tax assets, net		$	7,987		$	34,566		$	7,518	$	33,980
		Depreciation			0			4,616			0		4,712
		Europe pension and other			0			1,654			0		2,343
		Amortization and other			353			12,468			749		8,930
		Total deferred income tax liabilities		$	353		$	18,738		$	749	$	15,985
	Following are the changes in the Company's deferred tax asset valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
													Effect of
					Balance at			Additional			Allowance		Exchange		Balance
					Beginning			Valuation			Utilization		Rate		at End
					of Period			Allowance			and Other		Changes		of Period
		VALUATION ALLOWANCE
		Year ended December 31, 2014		$	7,666		$	5		$	-105	$	-221	$	7,345
		Year ended December 31, 2013		$	7,858		$	26		$	-1	$	-217	$	7,666
		Year ended December 31, 2012		$	1,377		$	6,594		$	-34	$	-79	$	7,858
	The Company's net deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as follows:
				2014			2013
		Current deferred tax assets		$	8,367		$	7,826
		Non-current deferred tax assets			24,411			24,724
		Current deferred tax liabilities			732			1,057
		Non-current deferred tax liabilities			8,584			6,729
		Net deferred tax asset		$	23,462		$	24,764
	The following is a reconciliation of income taxes at the Federal statutory rate with income taxes recorded by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
					2014			2013			2012
		Income tax provision at the Federal statutory tax rate		$	27,402		$	25,489		$	22,032
		Differences in tax rates on foreign earnings and remittances			-3,025			-2,487			-3,207
		Foreign dividends			3,278			1,922			815
		Excess foreign tax credit utilization			-5,011			-3,664			-2,237
		Research and development activities credit utilization			-226			-200			0
	Uncertain tax positions			263			-589			-1,196
	Domestic production activities deduction			-567			-560			-402
	State income tax provisions, net			517			171			-45
	Non-deductible entertainment and business meals expense			278			229			200
	Miscellaneous items, net			630			178			-385
	Taxes on income		$	23,539		$	20,489		$	15,575
At December 31, 2014, the Company domestically had a net deferred tax asset of $9,928. In addition, the Company has foreign tax loss carryforwards of $11,716 of which $165 expires in 2015, $178 expires in 2016, $230 expires in 2017, $663 expires in 2018, $490 expires in 2019, $108 expires in 2020, $238 expires in 2021, $171 expires in 2022, $7 expires in 2023 and $73 expires in 2024; the remaining foreign tax losses have no expiration dates. A partial valuation allowance has been established with respect to the tax benefit of these losses for $1,305.
U.S. income taxes have not been provided on the undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries because it is the Company's intention to continue to reinvest these earnings in those subsidiaries to support growth initiatives. U.S. and foreign income taxes that would be payable if such earnings were distributed may be lower than the amount computed at the U.S. statutory rate due to the availability of tax credits. The amount of such undistributed earnings at December 31, 2014 was approximately $197,000. Any income tax liability, which might result from ultimate remittance of these earnings, is expected to be substantially offset by foreign tax credits. It is currently impractical to estimate any such incremental tax expense.
As of December 31, 2014, the Company's cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits was $11,845. The Company had accrued $1,845 for cumulative penalties and $1,868 for cumulative interest at December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2013, the Company's cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits was $12,596. The Company had accrued $2,100 for cumulative penalties and $2,108 for cumulative interest at December 31, 2013.
The Company continues to recognize interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of taxes on income before equity in net income of associated companies in its Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company recognized ($26) for penalties and ($31) for interest (net of expirations and settlements) on its 2014 Consolidated Statement of Income, $392 for penalties and ($247) for interest (net of expirations and settlements) on its 2013 Consolidated Statement of Income and $301 for penalties and ($26) for interest (net of expirations and settlements) on its 2012 Consolidated Statement of Income.
The Company estimates that during the year ending December 31, 2015, it will reduce its cumulative liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $1,900 to $2,000 due to the expiration of the statute of limitations with regard to certain tax positions. This estimated reduction in the cumulative liability for unrecognized tax benefits does not consider any increase in liability for unrecognized tax benefits with regard to existing tax positions or any increase in cumulative liability for unrecognized tax benefits with regard to new tax positions for the year ending December 31, 2015.
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. Federal income tax, as well as the income tax of various state and foreign tax jurisdictions. Tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions include Brazil from 2000, Italy from 2007, the Netherlands from 2008, United Kingdom from 2009, Spain and China from 2010, the United States from 2011, and various domestic state tax jurisdictions from 1993.
During the second quarter of 2012, the Italian tax authorities initiated a transfer pricing audit of the Company's Italian subsidiary.  On July 7, 2012, the Company received a preliminary tax report related to this transfer pricing audit, which proposed several adjustments to the taxable income of the subsidiary.  During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company's Italian subsidiary received an assessment for the tax year 2007, which the Company appealed during the first quarter of 2013.  On September 16, 2013, the Provincial Tax Court of Varese delivered a decision confirming the Italian tax authorities' proposed adjustment to the taxable income of the subsidiary, but denying the proposed assessment of penalties.  On January 24, 2014, the Company's Italian subsidiary appealed the decision of the Provincial Tax Court of Varese.  On March 7, 2014, the Italian tax authorities appealed the decision of the Provincial Tax Court denying the assessment of penalties.
The Provincial Tax Court of Varese delivered a decision in favor of the Italian tax authorities, confirming the decision of the lower tax court, without any supporting arguments on November 25, 2014. The Company is considering a further appeal of the 2007 income tax assessment to the Italian Supreme Court.
The Company and outside tax counsel believe that it is more likely than not that it will prevail on the merits of the Italian income tax assessments for 2007, therefore, the Company has established a reserve for uncertain tax positions with respect to this item and does not expect a material difference from this reserve as of December 31, 2014.
On November 29, 2013, the Italian tax authorities issued a tax assessment for the tax year 2008, raising identical issues as the assessment for 2007, noted above.  On March 28, 2014, the Company filed an appeal with the Provincial Tax Court of Varese. On August 4, 2014, the Italian tax authorities issued a tax assessment for the tax year 2009, raising identical issues as the assessments for 2007 and 2008, noted above. The Company filed a request for competent authority relief between the Italian and Dutch tax authorities, and between the Italian and Spanish tax authorities for 2008 and 2009.
Related to the assessments for 2008 and 2009, the Company and outside counsel believe we should prevail on the merits of each case. Therefore, the Company does not believe it has exposure warranting an uncertain tax position reserve as of December 31, 2014.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, is as follows:
			2014			2013			2012
Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1		$	12,596		$	12,410		$	12,719
	(Decrease) increase in unrecognized tax benefits taken in prior periods		-93			83			0
	(Decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits taken in prior periods		0			0			-411
	Increase in unrecognized tax benefits taken in current period		2,678			2,182			1,733
	(Decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits due to lapse of statute of limitations		-2,078			-2,485			-1,837
	(Decrease) increase due to foreign exchange rates		-1,258			406			206
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31		$	11,845		$	12,596		$	12,410
The amount of unrecognized tax benefits above that, if recognized, would impact the Company's tax expense and effective tax rate is $1,066, $1,194 and $1,652 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	Note 8 – Earnings Per Share
	The following table summarizes EPS calculations for the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
			December 31,
			2014		2013		2012
	Basic earnings per common share
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$	56,492	$	56,339	$	47,405
		Less: income allocated to participating securities		-503		-481		-526
		Net income available to common shareholders	$	55,989	$	55,858	$	46,879
		Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		13,126,759		13,044,842		12,871,703
	Basic earnings per common share		$	4.27	$	4.28	$	3.64
	Diluted earnings per common share
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$	56,492	$	56,339	$	47,405
		Less: income allocated to participating securities		-503		-481		-524
		Net income available to common shareholders	$	55,989	$	55,858	$	46,881
		Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		13,126,759		13,044,842		12,871,703
		Effect of dilutive securities		21,309		24,770		58,798
		Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		13,148,068		13,069,612		12,930,501
	Diluted earnings per common share		$	4.26	$	4.27	$	3.63
	The following number of stock options are not included in diluted earnings per share since the effect would have been anti-dilutive: 4,714 in 2014, 2,863 in 2013 and 4,417 in 2012.

Accounts_Receivable_and_Allowa

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Text Block]	Note 9 – Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had gross trade accounts receivable totaling $195,982 and $172,762 with trade accounts receivable greater than 90 days past due of $10,149 and $11,345, respectively. The following are changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
										Exchange
						Changes				Rate
				Balance at		to Costs		Write-Offs		Changes		Balance
				Beginning		and		Charged to		And Other		at End
				of Period		Expenses		Allowance		Adjustments		of Period
		ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
		Year ended December 31, 2014	$	7,133	$	-264	$	-296	$	-75	$	6,498
		Year ended December 31, 2013	$	6,399	$	1,136	$	-407	$	5	$	7,133
		Year ended December 31, 2012	$	4,569	$	2,072	$	-737	$	495	$	6,399
	Included in exchange rate changes and other adjustments are allowance for doubtful accounts of $77, $0 and $416 acquired in 2014, 2013 and 2012 business acquisitions, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories [Text Block]	Note 10 – Inventories
	Total inventories comprise:
				December 31,
				2014		2013
		Raw materials and supplies	$	37,961	$	37,063
		Work in process and finished goods		39,747		34,494
			$	77,708	$	71,557

Property_Plant_and_Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Text Block]	Note 11 – Property, Plant and Equipment
	Property, plant and equipment comprise:
				December 31,
				2014		2013
		Land	$	7,962	$	8,510
		Building and improvements		78,911		80,644
		Machinery and equipment		142,102		136,549
		Construction in progress		5,541		8,162
				234,516		233,865
		Less accumulated depreciation		-148,753		-148,377
			$	85,763	$	85,488
	The Company currently leases certain equipment under capital leases in its North America and EMEA segments, and, also, in South America during 2013. Gross property, plant and equipment includes $656 and $793 of capital leases with $455 and $380 of accumulated depreciation at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The following is a schedule by years of future minimum lease payments:
		For the year ended December 31,
		2015	$	84
		2016		68
		2017		59
		2018		0
		2019		0
		2020 and beyond		0
		Total net minimum lease payments		211
		Less amount representing interest		-10
		Present value of net minimum lease payments	$	201

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 12 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The Company completed its annual impairment test as of the end of the third quarter of 2014 and no impairment charge was warranted. The estimated fair value of each of the Company's reporting units substantially exceeded its carrying value, with none of the Company's reporting units at risk for failing step one of the goodwill impairment test. In addition, the Company has never recorded an impairment charge.
	Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
			North									South
			America			EMEA			Asia/Pacific			America			Total
		Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	28,535		$	11,411		$	15,323		$	3,900		$	59,169
		Goodwill additions		277			0			0			0			277
		Currency translation adjustments		-685			-227			-305			-78			-1,295
		Balance as of December 31, 2013		28,127			11,184			15,018			3,822			58,151
		Goodwill additions		14,612			6,130			1,075			0			21,817
		Currency translation adjustments		-62			-1,264			-87			-622			-2,035
		Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	42,677		$	16,050		$	16,006		$	3,200		$	77,933
	Gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization for definite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
				Gross Carrying						Accumulated
				Amount						Amortization
				2014			2013			2014			2013
		Definite-lived intangible assets
		Customer lists and rights to sell		$	63,502		$	33,559		$	12,681		$	10,221
		Trademarks and patents			18,944			6,838			4,066			3,202
		Formulations and product technology			5,808			5,808			3,896			3,709
		Other			6,647			5,544			4,950			4,445
		Total		$	94,901		$	51,749		$	25,593		$	21,577
	The Company recorded $4,325, $3,445 and $3,106 of amortization expense in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Estimated annual aggregate amortization expense for the subsequent five years is as follows:
		For the year ended December 31, 2015		$6,807
		For the year ended December 31, 2016		$6,334
		For the year ended December 31, 2017		$5,877
		For the year ended December 31, 2018		$5,654
		For the year ended December 31, 2019		$5,574
	The Company has two indefinite-lived intangible assets totaling $1,100 for trademarks at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013.

Investments_in_Associated_Comp

Investments in Associated Companies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments in Associated Companies [Abstract]
Investments in Associated Companies [Text Block]	Note 13 – Investments in Associated Companies
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company held a 50% investment in and had significant influence over Kelko Quaker Chemical, S.A. (Venezuela), Nippon Quaker Chemical, Ltd. (Japan) and Kelko Quaker Chemical S.A. (Panama) and held a 33% investment in and had significant influence over Primex, Ltd. (Barbados).
	The carrying amount of the Company's equity investments at December 31, 2014 was $21,751, which includes its investments of $14,381 in Primex, Ltd. (Barbados); $4,854, in Nippon Quaker Chemical, Ltd. (Japan); $2,285 in Kelko Quaker Chemical, S.A. (Venezuela); and $231, in Kelko Quaker Chemical, S.A. (Panama).
	At December 31, 2014, Venezuela operated three local exchange markets to obtain U.S. Dollars: the CADIVI, SICAD I and SICAD II. As of December 31, 2014, Kelko Quaker Chemical, S.A. (“Kelko Venezuela”) had access to import on the CADIVI, it did not have access to trade on the SICAD I and it had limited access to SICAD II. Accordingly, the Company's equity investment in Kelko Venezuela was valued at the CADIVI exchange rate at December 31, 2014. Under generally accepted principles in the United States, Venezuela's economy is considered to be hyper inflationary, so, accordingly, all gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of Kelko Venezuela to the CADIVI or other published exchange are required to be recorded directly to the Consolidated Statement of Income.
	During the second quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a charge of $321, or $0.02 per diluted share, related to the conversion of certain Venezuelan Bolivar Fuerte to U.S. Dollars on the SICAD II exchange. During the first quarter of 2013, the Venezuelan Government announced a devaluation of the Bolivar Fuerte, which resulted in a charge of $357, or $0.03 per diluted share.
	In February 2015, the Venezuelan Government announced changes to its foreign exchange market. Specifically, the Company understands that as of now there continues to be three exchange markets in Venezuela; however, the Company believes they now consist of the historical CADIVI market, a combined SICAD I and SICAD II market and a newly created, marginal currency system, or the SIMADI. The CADIVI exchange largely remains the same, except that the government further restricted who can import and trade under this exchange. The government has yet to disclose who can access or trade on the newly formed SICAD market. Finally, the newly created SIMADI is a free exchange and can generally be accessed by all requested parties, however, at significantly higher exchange rates than the CADIVI or SICAD markets. Given the uncertainty around each of these markets, the future of the Venezuela economy, and how each applies to the Company's equity investment, the Company is still assessing the impacts that these changes to the Venezuelan foreign exchange markets may have on the operations of Kelko Venezuela and the Company's related $2,285 equity investment.
	During the first quarter of 2013, the Company identified errors in Primex's estimated 2012 financial statements, which primarily related to a reinsurance contract held by Primex. The identified errors resulted in a cumulative $1,038 understatement of the Company's equity in net income from associated companies for the year ended December 31, 2012, which were corrected in the first quarter of 2013. See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
	Summarized financial information of Kelko Quaker Chemical, S.A. (Venezuela), Nippon Quaker Chemical, Ltd. (Japan) and Kelko Quaker Chemical S.A. (Panama), in the aggregate, is as follows:
					December 31,
					2014		2013
			Current Assets	$	27,679	$	28,363
			Noncurrent Assets		1,105		717
			Current Liabilities		13,648		13,974
			Noncurrent Liabilities		397		501
					Year Ended December 31,
					2014		2013		2012
		Net Sales		$	48,834	$	47,226	$	55,963
		Gross Margin			15,698		16,096		18,480
		Income Before Income Taxes			3,546		3,687		3,170
		Net Income			2,263		2,142		2,118
	Summarized financial information of Primex, Ltd. is as follows:
					December 31,
					2014		2013
			Total Assets	$	109,259	$	106,450
			Total Liabilities		59,773		63,938
					Year Ended December 31,
					2014		2013		2012
		Revenue		$	10,755	$	20,895	$	8,473
		Income Before Income Taxes			10,929		25,625		8,901
		Net Income			7,352		16,876		6,031
	As noted above, the Company identified errors in Primex's estimated 2012 financial statements during the first quarter of 2013, which were corrected in the first quarter of 2013. The identified errors resulted in increases to Primex's revenue of $4,905, income before taxes of $5,240 and net income of $3,422, which are included in the 2013 summarized financial information for Primex above.
	During the first quarter of 2013, the Company received its first dividend distribution from Primex, Ltd. of approximately $2,000, which was accounted for as a reduction of the Company's investment balance in this associated company.

Other_Assets

Other Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets [Abstract]
Other Assets [Text Block]	Note 14 – Other Assets
	Other assets include:
			December 31,
			2014		2013
		Restricted insurance settlement	$	23,599	$	25,462
		Deferred compensation assets		779		894
		Supplemental retirement income program		1,361		1,885
		Uncertain tax positions		5,516		4,677
		Other		2,487		3,349
		Total	$	33,742	$	36,267
	Previously, an inactive subsidiary of the Company executed separate settlement and release agreements with two of its insurance carriers for $35,000, of which $23,599 remains. The proceeds of both settlements are restricted and can only be used to pay claims and costs of defense associated with the subsidiary's asbestos litigation. The proceeds of the settlement and release agreements have been deposited into interest bearing accounts which earned approximately $44 and $52 in 2014 and 2013, respectively, offset by $1,907 and $988 of payments in 2014 and 2013, respectively. Due to the restricted nature of the proceeds, a corresponding deferred credit was established in “Other non-current liabilities” for an equal and offsetting amount, and will remain until the restrictions lapse or the funds are exhausted via payments of claims and costs of defense. See Notes 18 and 23 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Other_Current_Liabilities

Other Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Other Accrued Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 15 – Other Current Liabilities
	Other current liabilities comprise:
				December 31,
				2014		2013
		Non-income taxes	$	7,717	$	7,658
		Acquisition-related consideration		246		4,797
		Professional fees		1,638		2,007
		Selling expenses		3,352		4,266
		Legal		754		960
		Freight		1,547		1,914
		Income taxes payable		4,210		5,216
		Other		4,233		3,767
		Total	$	23,697	$	30,585

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt [Abstract]
Debt [Text Block]	Note 16 – Debt
	Debt includes the following:
					December 31,
					2014		2013
		Industrial development authority monthly 5.60% fixed rate demand bond maturing 2018		$	5,000	$	5,000
		Industrial development authority monthly 5.26% fixed rate demand bond maturing 2028			10,000		10,000
		Credit facilities (1.16% weighted average borrowing rate at December 31, 2014)			58,421		0
		Ohio Department of Development term loan (see below)			2,109		2,428
		Other debt obligations (including capital leases)			201		1,288
					75,731		18,716
		Short-term debt			0		-945
		Current portion of long-term debt			-403		-450
				$	75,328	$	17,321
	During the next five years, payments on the Company's debt, including capital lease maturities, are due as follows:
			2015	$	403
			2016		395
			2017		396
			2018		63,765
			2019		350
			2020 and beyond	$	10,422
	The Company's primary credit line is a $300,000 syndicated multicurrency credit agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (administrative agent) and certain other major financial institutions. This facility matures in June 2018. The maximum amount available under this facility can be increased to $400,000 at the Company's option if the lenders agree and the Company satisfies certain conditions. Borrowings under the facility generally bear interest at either a base rate or LIBOR rate plus a margin. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $58,421 and $0 outstanding on these credit lines. Access to this facility is dependent on meeting certain financial, acquisition and other covenants, but primarily depends on the Company's consolidated leverage ratio calculation, which cannot exceed 3.50 to 1. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company's consolidated leverage ratio was below 1.0 to 1 and the Company was also in compliance with all of the facilities' other covenants.
	As part of a past expansion project at the Company's Middletown, Ohio facility, it agreed to a low interest rate $3,500 loan with the Ohio Department of Development. Principal repayment on this loan began in September 2010 with its final maturity being in February 2021. The current interest rate of 2% will rise to 3% beginning March 2019 until final maturity.
	At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the amounts at which the Company's debt is recorded are not materially different from their fair market value.

Pension_and_Postretirement_Ben

Pension and Postretirement Benefits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 17 – Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
	The following table shows the Company's plans' funded status reconciled with amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
																					Other
																					Postretirement
		Pension Benefits																			Benefits
		2014										2013								2014		2013
			Foreign			Domestic			Total			Foreign			Domestic			Total			Domestic		Domestic
	Change in benefit obligation
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	85,745		$	66,369		$	152,114		$	81,280		$	70,407		$	151,687		$	5,639	$	7,317
	Service cost		2,626			250			2,876			2,864			299			3,163			19		34
	Interest cost		3,210			2,823			6,033			3,150			2,437			5,587			232		185
	Employee contributions		89			0			89			111			0			111			0		0
	Effect of plan amendments		242			0			242			-2,138			0			-2,138			0		0
	Benefits paid		-1,985			-4,589			-6,574			-1,853			-4,516			-6,369			-533		-566
	Plan expenses and premiums paid		-361			-250			-611			-367			-225			-592			0		0
	Transfer in of business acquisition		2,818			0			2,818			0			0			0			0		0
	Actuarial loss (gain)		26,412			6,064			32,476			-566			-2,033			-2,599			688		-1,331
	Translation differences and other		-11,969			0			-11,969			3,264			0			3,264			0		0
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	106,827		$	70,667		$	177,494		$	85,745		$	66,369		$	152,114		$	6,045	$	5,639
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of
	year	$	68,659		$	50,650		$	119,309		$	60,909		$	45,991		$	106,900		$	0	$	0
	Actual return on plan assets		23,981			2,591			26,572			3,237			7,487			10,724			0		0
	Employer contributions		3,778			1,287			5,065			3,947			1,913			5,860			533		566
	Employee contributions		89			0			89			111			0			111			0		0
	Benefits paid		-1,985			-4,589			-6,574			-1,853			-4,516			-6,369			-533		-566
	Plan expenses and premiums paid		-361			-250			-611			-367			-225			-592			0		0
	Transfer in of business acquisition		2,093			0			2,093			0			0			0			0		0
	Translation differences		-9,731			0			-9,731			2,675			0			2,675			0		0
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	86,523		$	49,689		$	136,212		$	68,659		$	50,650		$	119,309		$	0	$	0
	Net amount recognized	$	-20,304		$	-20,978		$	-41,282		$	-17,086		$	-15,719		$	-32,805		$	-6,045	$	-5,639
	Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
	consist of:
	Current liabilities	$	-94		$	-577		$	-671		$	-242		$	-589		$	-831		$	-568	$	-607
	Non-current liabilities		-20,210			-20,401			-40,611			-16,844			-15,130			-31,974			-5,477		-5,032
	Net amount recognized	$	-20,304		$	-20,978		$	-41,282		$	-17,086		$	-15,719		$	-32,805		$	-6,045	$	-5,639
	Amounts not yet reflected in net periodic
	benefit costs and included in
	accumulated other comprehensive
	loss:
	Prior service credit (cost)	$	2,306		$	-248		$	2,058		$	2,105		$	-311		$	1,794		$	0	$	0
	Accumulated loss		-27,486			-33,125			-60,611			-27,188			-27,593			-54,781			-1,368		-745
	Accumulated other comprehensive
	loss (AOCI)		-25,180			-33,373			-58,553			-25,083			-27,904			-52,987			-1,368		-745
	Cumulative employer contributions
	in excess of net period benefit cost		4,876			12,395			17,271			7,997			12,185			20,182			-4,677		-4,894
	Net amount recognized	$	-20,304		$	-20,978		$	-41,282		$	-17,086		$	-15,719		$	-32,805		$	-6,045	$	-5,639
	The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $175,431 ($70,667 Domestic and $104,764 Foreign) and $150,374 ($66,369 Domestic and $84,005 Foreign) at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
	Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:
			2014										2013
				Foreign			Domestic			Total			Foreign			Domestic			Total
	Projected benefit obligation		$	106,827		$	70,667		$	177,494		$	85,745		$	66,369		$	152,114
	Accumulated benefit obligation			104,764			70,667			175,431			84,005			66,369			150,374
	Fair value of plan assets			86,523			49,689			136,212			68,659			50,650			119,309
	Information for pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:
			2014										2013
				Foreign			Domestic			Total			Foreign			Domestic			Total
	Projected benefit obligation		$	106,827		$	70,667		$	177,494		$	85,745		$	66,369		$	152,114
	Fair value of plan assets			86,523			49,689			136,212			68,659			50,650			119,309
	Components of net periodic benefit costs – pension plans:
			2014										2013
				Foreign			Domestic			Total			Foreign			Domestic			Total
	Service cost		$	2,626		$	250		$	2,876		$	2,864		$	299		$	3,163
	Interest cost			3,210			2,823			6,033			3,150			2,437			5,587
Expected return on plan assets			-2,543			-3,817			-6,360			-2,245			-3,664			-5,909
Actuarial loss amortization			1,307			1,757			3,064			1,486			2,481			3,967
Prior service cost amortization			736			63			799			30			148			178
Net periodic benefit cost		$	5,336		$	1,076		$	6,412		$	5,285		$	1,701		$	6,986
									2012
									Foreign			Domestic			Total
		Service cost						$	2,004		$	460		$	2,464
		Interest cost							3,020			2,803			5,823
		Expected return on plan assets							-1,995			-3,481			-5,476
		Actuarial loss amortization							590			2,057			2,647
		Prior service cost amortization							30			82			112
		Net periodic benefit cost						$	3,649		$	1,921		$	5,570
Other changes recognized in other comprehensive income:
		2014										2013
			Foreign			Domestic			Total			Foreign			Domestic			Total
Net loss (gain) arising during the period		$	4,973		$	7,290		$	12,263		$	-1,558		$	-5,856		$	-7,414
Effect of plan amendment			242			0			242			-2,138			0			-2,138
Recognition of amortization in net periodic
	benefit cost
	Prior service cost		-736			-63			-799			-30			-148			-178
	Actuarial loss		-1,307			-1,757			-3,064			-1,486			-2,481			-3,967
Effect of exchange rates on amounts included in
	AOCI		-3,076			0			-3,076			1,007			0			1,007
Total recognized in other comprehensive
	loss (income)		96			5,470			5,566			-4,205			-8,485			-12,690
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and
	other comprehensive loss (income)	$	5,432		$	6,546		$	11,978		$	1,080		$	-6,784		$	-5,704
					2012
						Foreign			Domestic			Total
	Net loss arising during period				$	13,897		$	4,826		$	18,723
	Recognition of amortization in net periodic benefit cost
	Prior service cost					-30			-82			-112
	Actuarial loss					-590			-2,057			-2,647
	Effect of exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI					809			0			809
	Total recognized in other comprehensive loss					14,086			2,687			16,773
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other
	comprehensive loss				$	17,735		$	4,608		$	22,343
Components of net periodic benefit costs – other postretirement plan:
				2014			2013			2012
	Service cost		$	19		$	34		$	46
	Interest cost			232			185			283
	Actuarial loss amortization			65			32			115
	Net periodic benefit costs		$	316		$	251		$	444
Other changes recognized in other comprehensive income – other postretirement benefit plans:
				2014			2013			2012
	Net loss (gain) arising during period		$	688		$	-1,331		$	514
	Amortization of actuarial loss in net periodic benefit costs			-65			-32			-115
	Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)			623			-1,363			399
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other
		comprehensive loss (income)	$	939		$	-1,112		$	843
Estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss over the next fiscal year:
			Pension Plans										Other Postretirement
				Foreign			Domestic			Total			Benefits
	Actuarial loss		$	1,231		$	2,374		$	3,605		$	103
	Prior service (credit) cost			-179			63			-116			0
			$	1,052		$	2,437		$	3,489		$	103
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
									Other Postretirement
			Pension Benefits						Benefits
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	U.S. Plans:
	Discount rate			3.72%			4.48%			3.45%			4.05%
	Rate of compensation increase			3.63%			3.63%			N/A			N/A
	Foreign Plans:
	Discount rate			2.51%			3.84%			N/A			N/A
	Rate of compensation increase			3.05%			3.05%			N/A			N/A
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
									Other Postretirement
			Pension Benefits						Benefits
				2014			2013			2014			2013
	U.S. Plans:
	Discount rate			4.48%			3.52%			4.05%			3.20%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets			7.85%			8.25%			N/A			N/A
	Rate of compensation increase			3.63%			3.40%			N/A			N/A
	Foreign Plans:
	Discount rate			3.84%			3.94%			N/A			N/A
	Expected long-term return on plan assets			3.67%			3.57%			N/A			N/A
	Rate of compensation increase			3.05%			3.60%			N/A			N/A
The long-term rates of return on assets were selected from within the reasonable range of rates determined by (a) historical real returns for the asset classes covered by the investment policy and (b) projections of inflation over the long-term period during which benefits are payable to plan participants. See Note 1 for further information.
Assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013:
				2014			2013
	Health care cost trend rate for next year			6.90%			7.10%
	Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the
		ultimate trend rate)		4.50%			4.50%
	Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate			2027			2027
Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
				1% point			1% point
				Increase			Decrease
	Effect on total service and interest cost		$	21		$	-18
	Effect on postretirement benefit obligations			526			-460
Plan Assets and Fair Value
The Company's pension plan target asset allocation and the weighted-average asset allocations at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 by asset category were as follows:
				Target			2014			2013
	Asset Category
	U.S. Plans
	Equity securities			61%			66%			66%
	Debt securities			32%			33%			32%
	Other			7%			1%			2%
		Total		100%			100%			100%
	Foreign Plans
	Equity securities and other			22%			22%			19%
	Debt securities			78%			78%			81%
		Total		100%			100%			100%
As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, “Other” consisted principally of cash and cash equivalents (approximately 1% to 2% of plan assets in each respective period).
The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for the investments measured at fair value, including the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy:
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and money market funds and are classified as Level 1 investments.
Common Stock
Common stock is valued at quoted market prices in an exchange and active market and is classified as Level 1 investments.
Registered Investment Companies
The shares of registered investment companies, which represent the net asset values of shares held by the Plan, are valued at quoted market prices in an exchange and active market and are classified as Level 1 investments.
Fixed Income Corporate Securities
Corporate fixed income securities are valued using third party pricing services which are based on a combination of quoted market prices in an exchange and active market as well as proprietary pricing models and inputs using observable market data and are classified as Level 2 investments.
Fixed Income U.S. and Foreign Government Securities
U.S. and foreign government fixed income securities are valued using third party pricing services which are based on a combination of quoted market prices in an exchange and active market as well as proprietary pricing models and inputs using observable market data and are classified as Level 2 investments.
Pooled Separate Accounts
Investments in the U.S. pension plan pooled separate accounts consist of insurance annuity contracts and are valued based on the reported unit value at year end. Units of the pooled separate accounts are not traded in an active exchange or market; however, valuation is based on the underlying investments of the units and are classified as Level 2 investments.
Insurance Contract
Investments in the foreign pension plan insurance contract are valued at the highest value available for the Company at year end, either the reported cash surrender value of the contract or the vested benefit obligation. Both the cash surrender value and the vested benefit obligation are determined based on unobservable inputs, which are contractually or actuarially determined, regarding returns, fees, the present value of the future cash flows of the contract and benefit obligations. The contract is classified as a Level 3 investment.
Diversified Equity Securities - Registered Investment Companies
Investments in the foreign pension plan diversified equity securities of registered investment companies are based upon the quoted redemption value of shares in the fund owned by the plan at year end. The shares of the fund are not available in an exchange or active market; however, the fair value is determined based on the underlying investments in the fund as traded in an exchange and active market and are classified as Level 2 investments.
Fixed Income – Foreign Registered Investment Companies
Investments in the foreign pension plan fixed income securities of foreign registered investment companies are based upon the quoted redemption value of shares in the fund owned by the plan at year end. The shares of the fund are not available in an exchange or active market; however, the fair value is determined based on the underlying investments in the fund as traded in an exchange and active market and are classified as Level 2 investments.
Real Estate
The foreign pension plan's investment in real estate consists of an investment in a property fund. The fund's underlying investments consist of real property, which are valued using unobservable inputs. The property fund is classified as a Level 3 investment.
Commingled Funds
Investments in the foreign pension plan commingled funds represent pooled institutional investments, including primarily investment trusts. They include approximately 60 percent of investments in equity, 31 percent of investments in fixed income, and 9 percent of other non-related investments as of December 31, 2014. The commingled funds are not available in an exchange or active market; however, the fair value is determined based on the underlying pooled investments. Generally, these underlying investments are traded in an exchange and active market and are classified as Level 2 investments.
As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the U.S. and foreign plans' investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis were as follows:
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
			Fair Value as of			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
U.S. Pension Assets			31-Dec-14			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents			$	490		$	490		$	0		$	0
Large capitalization common stock				14,956			14,956			0			0
Large capitalization registered investment companies				6,339			6,339			0			0
Small capitalization common stock				920			920			0			0
Small capitalization registered investment companies				2,416			2,416			0			0
International developed and emerging markets registered
	investment companies			5,638			5,638			0			0
International developed and emerging markets common stock				2,600			2,600			0			0
Fixed income corporate securities				9,848			0			9,848			0
Fixed income registered investment companies				4,647			4,647			0			0
Fixed income U.S. and foreign government securities				406			0			406			0
Pooled separate accounts				1,429			0			1,429			0
	Total U.S. pension plan assets		$	49,689		$	38,006		$	11,683		$	0
Foreign Pension Assets
Cash and cash equivalents			$	76		$	76		$	0		$	0
Insurance contract				72,417			0			0			72,417
Diversified equity securities - registered investment companies				6,565			0			6,565			0
Fixed income - foreign registered investment companies				4,946			0			4,946			0
Commingled funds				2,041			0			2,041			0
Real estate - registered investment companies				478			0			0			478
	Total foreign pension assets		$	86,523		$	76		$	13,552		$	72,895
		Total pension assets at fair value	$	136,212		$	38,082		$	25,235		$	72,895
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
			Fair Value as of			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
U.S. Pension Assets			31-Dec-13			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents			$	825		$	825		$	0		$	0
Large capitalization common stock				14,801			14,801			0			0
Large capitalization registered investment companies				6,820			6,820			0			0
Small capitalization common stock				771			771			0			0
Small capitalization registered investment companies				2,384			2,384			0			0
International developed and emerging markets registered
	investment companies			5,895			5,895			0			0
International developed and emerging markets common stock				2,929			2,929			0			0
Fixed income corporate securities				10,144			0			10,144			0
Fixed income registered investment companies				4,486			4,486			0			0
Fixed income U.S. and foreign government securities				192			0			192			0
Pooled separate accounts				1,403			0			1,403			0
	Total U.S. pension plan assets		$	50,650		$	38,911		$	11,739		$	0
Foreign Pension Assets
Cash and cash equivalents			$	5		$	5		$	0		$	0
Insurance contract				57,175			0			0			57,175
Diversified equity securities - registered investment companies				6,597			0			6,597			0
Fixed income - foreign registered investment companies				4,448			0			4,448			0
Real estate - registered investment companies				434			0			0			434
	Total foreign pension assets		$	68,659		$	5		$	11,045		$	57,609
		Total pension assets at fair value	$	119,309		$	38,916		$	22,784		$	57,609
During 2014, the Company revised its 2013 leveling of its fixed income corporate securities and fixed income U.S. and foreign government securities from Level 1, as previously published, to Level 2. The Company considers such revisions to be immaterial.
Changes in the fair value of the foreign plans' Level 3 investments during the years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 were as follows:
					Insurance			Real Estate
					Contract			Fund			Total
	Balance at December 31, 2012			$	51,146		$	388		$	51,534
		Purchases			3,182			0			3,182
		Settlements			-1,607			0			-1,607
		Unrealized gains			2,061			36			2,097
		Currency translation adjustment			2,393			10			2,403
	Balance at December 31, 2013				57,175			434			57,609
		Purchases			3,044			0			3,044
		Settlements			-1,705			0			-1,705
		Unrealized gains			22,802			72			22,874
		Currency translation adjustment			-8,899			-28			-8,927
	Balance at December 31, 2014			$	72,417		$	478		$	72,895
U.S. pension assets include Company common stock in the amounts of $920 (2% of total U.S. plan assets) and $771 (1% of total U.S. plan assets) at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
During 2013, it was discovered that the Company's subsidiary in the United Kingdom did not appropriately amend a trust for a legacy change in its pension scheme, as it related to a past retirement age equalization law. Given the lack of an official deed to the pension trust, the effective date of the change to the Subsidiary's pension scheme differed from the Company's historical beliefs, but the extent of the potential exposure was not estimable. In the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded costs of $902, or $0.05 per diluted share, related to prior service cost and interest cost, to appropriately reflect the past plan amendment related to the retirement age equalization law.
Cash Flows
Contributions
The Company expects to make minimum cash contributions of $4,176 to its pension plans ($1,277 Domestic and $2,899 Foreign) and $568 to its other postretirement benefit plan in 2015.
Estimated Future Benefit Payments
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:
													Other
			Pension Benefits										Postretirement
				Foreign			Domestic			Total			Benefits
		2015	$	1,789		$	4,590		$	6,379		$	568
		2016		1,953			4,609			6,562			560
		2017		2,202			4,447			6,649			551
		2018		2,346			4,479			6,825			523
		2019		2,758			4,442			7,200			505
		2020 and beyond		17,483			22,178			39,661			2,130
The Company maintains a plan under which supplemental retirement benefits are provided to certain officers. Benefits payable under the plan are based on a combination of years of service and existing postretirement benefits. Included in total pension costs are charges of $826, $811 and $700 in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, representing the annual accrued benefits under this plan.
Defined Contribution Plan
The Company has a 401(k) plan with an employer match covering a majority of its domestic employees. The plan allows for and the Company has paid a nonelective contribution on behalf of participants who have completed one year of service equal to 3% of the eligible participants' compensation in the form of Company common stock. Total Company contributions were $2,498, $2,027 and $1,703 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Other_NonCurrent_Liabilities

Other Non-Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Non-Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Other Non-Current Liabilities [Text Block]	Note 18 – Other Non-Current Liabilities
	Other non-current liabilities comprise:
			December 31,
			2014		2013
		Restricted insurance settlement	$	23,599	$	25,462
		Uncertain tax positions (includes interest and penalties)		14,607		15,885
		Deferred and other long-term compensation		6,492		5,646
		Other		792		545
		Total	$	45,490	$	47,538
	See also Notes 14 and 23 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte

Equity and Noncontrolling Interest	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 19 – Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The Company has 30,000,000 shares of common stock authorized, with a par value of $1, and 13,300,891 and 13,196,140 shares issued as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The change in shares issued and outstanding during 2014 was primarily related to 80,012 shares issued for equity based compensation plans, 6,367 shares issued for the ESPP and 18,372 shares issued for the exercise of stock options and other employee and director related share activity.
	Holders of record of the Company's common stock for a period of less than 36 consecutive calendar months or less are entitled to one vote per share of common stock. Holders of record of the Company's common stock for a period greater than 36 consecutive calendar months are entitled to 10 votes per share of common stock.
	The Company is authorized to issue 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $1 par value, subject to approval by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may designate one or more series of preferred stock and the number of shares, rights, preferences, and limitations of each series. As of December 31, 2014, no preferred stock had been issued.
	The following table shows the reclassifications from and resulting balances of accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”) for the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
									Unrealized
			Currency		Defined		Change in		gain (loss) in
			translation		benefit		fair value of		available-for-
			adjustments		pension plans		derivatives		sale securities		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2011		$	4,709	$	-34,260	$	-272	$	856	$	-28,967
		Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		-1,373		-20,045		26		2,181		-19,211
		Amounts reclassified from AOCI		0		2,875		392		-868		2,399
		Related tax amounts		0		4,516		-146		-446		3,924
	Balance at December 31, 2012			3,336		-46,914		0		1,723		-41,855
		Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		-2,184		9,876		0		2,543		10,235
		Amounts reclassified from AOCI		0		4,177		0		-2,758		1,419
		Related tax amounts		0		-4,572		0		73		-4,499
	Balance at December 31, 2013			1,152		-37,433		0		1,581		-34,700
		Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		-15,464		-9,232		0		2,057		-22,639
		Amounts reclassified from AOCI		0		3,043		0		-2,245		798
		Related tax amounts		0		2,071		0		64		2,135
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	-14,312	$	-41,551	$	0	$	1,457	$	-54,406
	Approximately 30% and 70% of the amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to the Consolidated Statement of Income for defined benefit retirement plans during the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were recorded in cost of goods sold and SG&A, respectively. See Note 17 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. All reclassifications were recorded in interest expense for changes in fair value of derivatives and, also, reclassifications related to unrealized gain (loss) in available-for-sale securities primarily relate to the Company's equity interest in a captive insurance company and, therefore, are recorded in equity in net income of associated companies. The amounts reported on the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity in other comprehensive income that relate to the Company's non-controlling interests consist of currency translation adjustments.

Business_Acquisitions

Business Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 20 – Business Acquisitions
	In December 2014, the Company acquired a business that is principally concerned with safety fluid applications for mining sites in its Asia/Pacific reportable operating segment for net consideration of approximately 2,850 Australian Dollars, or approximately $2,355. The Company also assumed an additional 300 Australian Dollars, or approximately $248, hold-back of consideration. This acquisition provides a strategic opportunity for Quaker in the core Australian mining market. The Company allocated the purchase price to $1,802 of intangible assets, comprised of trademarks and formulations, to be amortized over 15 years; a non-competition agreement, to be amortized over 5 years; and customer relationships, to be amortized over 15 years. In addition, the Company recorded $1,075 of goodwill, related to expected value outside its other acquired assets, all of which will not be tax deductible.
	In November 2014, the Company acquired Binol AB (“Binol”), a leading bio-lubricants producer primarily serving the Nordic region for its EMEA reportable operating segment for approximately 140,900 SEK, or approximately $19,064. This acquisition provides a strategic opportunity for Quaker to leverage Binol's environmentally friendly technology and customer-aligned products, including neat oil technology for metalworking applications and biodegradable hydraulic oils, across the Company's global footprint. The Company allocated the purchase price to $11,805 of intangible assets, comprised of trademarks and formulations, to be amortized over 15 years; a non-competition agreement, to be amortized over 5 years; and customer relationships, to be amortized over 14 years. In addition, the Company recorded $6,130 of goodwill, related to expected value outside its other acquired assets, all of which will not be tax deductible.
	In August 2014, the Company acquired ECLI Products, LLC (“ECLI”), a specialty grease manufacturer for its North American reportable operating segment for approximately $53,145, including certain post-closing adjustments. ECLI specializes in greases for OEM first-fill customers across several industry sectors, including automotive, industrial, aerospace/military, electronics, office automation and natural resources. This acquisition complements Quaker's entry into the specialty grease market that began in 2010, and, also, provides an opportunity to leverage Quaker's global footprint with its current market expertise. The Company allocated the purchase price to $31,050 of intangible assets, comprised of trademarks and formulations, to be amortized over 10 years; customer relationships, to be amortized over 15 years; and a non-compete agreement, to be amortized over 5 years. In addition, the Company recorded $14,612 of goodwill, related to expected value outside its other acquired assets, all of which will be tax deductible.
	The results of operations of the acquired businesses and assets are included in the consolidated statements of income from their respective acquisition dates. Transaction expenses associated with these acquisitions are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of income. Certain pro forma and other information is not presented for the years ended December 31, 2014, December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, as the operations of the acquired businesses are not material to the overall operations of the Company.
	As of December 31, 2014, the allocations of the purchase price for all of the Company's 2014 acquisitions have not been finalized. Further adjustments may be necessary as a result of the Company's assessment of additional information related to the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The following table presents the preliminary allocation of the purchase price of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in all of the Company's acquisitions in 2014:
		2014 Acquisitions
		Current assets		$	12,406
		Property, plant & equipment			4,158
		Intangibles
			Customer lists and rights to sell		30,924
			Trademarks and patents		12,606
			Other intangibles		1,127
		Goodwill			21,817
		Other long-term assets			198
			Total assets purchased		83,236
		Current liabilities			-4,298
		Long-term liabilities			-4,374
			Total liabilities assumed		-8,672
			Cash paid for acquisitions	$	74,564
	Included in the 2014 acquisitions was approximately $1,037 of cash acquired.
	Additionally, in June 2014, the Company acquired the remaining 49% ownership interest in its Australian affiliate, Quaker Chemical (Australasia) Pty. Limited ("QCA") for 8,000 Australian Dollars, or approximately $7,577, from its joint venture partner, Nuplex Industries. QCA is a part of the Company's Asia/Pacific reportable operating segment. This acquisition further strengthens Quaker's position in Australia, and allows the Company to simplify its overall corporate structure and improve its organizational efficiencies. As this acquisition was a change in an existing controlling ownership, the Company recorded $6,450 of excess purchase price over the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest in Additional Paid in Capital.
	In May 2013, the Company acquired a business that primarily related to tin plating for its North American reportable operating segment for net consideration of approximately $1,831.
	In January 2013, the Company acquired a chemical milling maskants distribution network for net consideration of approximately $647, which was assigned to the North America reportable operating segment. The Company also assumed a hold-back of consideration for potential indemnity obligations, which was paid to the former shareholders during the first quarter of 2014.
	In July 2012, the Company acquired NP Coil Dexter Industries, S.r.l. for approximately $2,748, and assumed short-term and long-term debt of approximately $1,186 and $854, respectively. Liabilities assumed included a hold-back of consideration to be paid to the former shareholders at 18 months from the acquisition date. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company recorded an increase to other income of approximately $1,033 on its Consolidated Statement of Income related to a change in the fair value of this hold-back, settling this contingent liability.
	In October 2011, the Company acquired G.W. Smith & Sons, Inc. for approximately $14,518. Liabilities assumed included a hold-back of consideration for potential indemnity obligations, which was settled during 2012 with a payment of approximately $1,000 to the former shareholder.
	In July 2011, the Company acquired the remaining 60% ownership interest in Tecniquimia Mexicana, S.A. de C.V., the Company's Mexican equity affiliate, for approximately $10,500. Liabilities assumed included a hold-back of consideration for potential indemnity obligations, which was paid to the former shareholders during 2012 with a payment of approximately $2,000.
	In December 2010, the Company acquired Summit Lubricants, Inc., which manufactures and distributes specialty greases and lubricants, for approximately $29,833, including certain post-closing adjustments finalized in 2011. Liabilities assumed included an earnout to be paid to the former shareholders if certain earnings targets were met by the end of 2013. The earnout was settled during the second quarter of 2014 with a payment to the former shareholder of approximately $4,709. During 2013 and 2012, the Company recorded net increases to other income of approximately $497 and $1,737, respectively, in its Consolidated Statement of Income related to changes in the Company's estimate of the fair value of this contingent consideration liability.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	Note 21 – Fair Value Measures
	The Company values company-owned life insurance policies, various deferred compensation assets and liabilities, acquisition-related consideration and an obligation related to a non-competition agreement at fair value. The Company's assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurement are as follows:
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Assets		31-Dec-14			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Company-owned life insurance		$	1,361		$	0		$	1,361		$	0
	Company-owned life insurance - Deferred compensation assets			310			0			310			0
	Other deferred compensation assets
		Large capitalization registered investment companies		71			71			0			0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		7			7			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		13			13			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			37			37			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		6			6			0			0
	Total		$	1,805		$	134		$	1,671		$	0
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Liabilities		31-Dec-14			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Deferred compensation liabilities
		Large capitalization registered investment companies	$	404		$	404		$	0		$	0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		108			108			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		90			90			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			179			179			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		40			40			0			0
		Fixed general account		160			0			160			0
	Total		$	981		$	821		$	160		$	0
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Assets		31-Dec-13			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Company-owned life insurance		$	1,885		$	0		$	1,885		$	0
	Company-owned life insurance - Deferred compensation assets			409			0			409			0
	Other deferred compensation assets
		Large capitalization registered investment companies		74			74			0			0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		6			6			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		13			13			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			40			40			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		7			7			0			0
	Total		$	2,434		$	140		$	2,294		$	0
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Liabilities		31-Dec-13			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Deferred compensation liabilities
		Large capitalization registered investment companies	$	405		$	405		$	0		$	0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		109			109			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		95			95			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			205			205			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		43			43			0			0
		Fixed general account		167			0			167			0
	Acquisition-related consideration			4,876			0			0			4,876
	Total		$	5,900		$	857		$	167		$	4,876
	The fair values of Company-owned life insurance (“COLI”) and COLI deferred compensation assets are based on quotes for like instruments with similar credit ratings and terms. The fair values of other deferred compensation assets and liabilities are based on quoted prices in active markets. The acquisition-related consideration included a contingent consideration liability (the “Summit earnout”) and a non-competition agreement. The fair value of the Summit earnout was based on unobservable inputs and was classified as Level 3. At December 31, 2013, the significant input or assumption used was the discount rate to present value the liability. The fair value of the non-competition agreement was also based on unobservable inputs and classified as Level 3. The significant input or assumption used for the non-competition agreement was also management's estimate of the discount rate used to present value the liability. A significant change in any Level 3 assumption in isolation would have resulted in increases or decreases to the fair value measurements of the acquisition-related consideration.
	Changes in the fair value of the Level 3 liabilities during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
				Summit			Non-competition
				Earnout				Agreement		Total
		Balance at December 31, 2013		$	4,697		$	179		$	4,876
			Interest accretion		12			8			20
			Payments		-4,709			-187			-4,896
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	0		$	0		$	0
The Company settled its obligation related to the Summit earnout liability with a payment of $4,709 to its former shareholders in the second quarter of 2014. In addition, the Company made its final payment related to the non-competition agreement in the third quarter of 2014.

Hedging_Activities

Hedging Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
General Discussion Of Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 22 – Hedging Activities
	The Company utilized interest rate swaps in the past to mitigate the impact of changes in interest rates by converting a portion of the Company's variable interest rate debt to fixed interest rate debt. The interest rate swaps had a combined notional amount of $15,000 during 2012 until their maturity, which occurred during the third quarter of 2012. The Company did not utilize derivatives designated as cash flow hedges during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014.
	Information about the Company's interest rate derivatives is as follows:
				For the Years Ended
				December 31,
				2014		2013		2012
		Amount of Gain Recognized in
		Accumulated OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)		$	0	$	0	$	272
		Amount and Location of Loss Reclassified from
		Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Interest Expense	$	0	$	0	$	-392
		Amount and Location of Loss Recognized in Income on Derivative
		(Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Other Income	$	0	$	0	$	0

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 23 – Commitments and Contingencies
	In 1992, the Company identified certain soil and groundwater contamination at AC Products, Inc. (“ACP”), a wholly owned subsidiary. In voluntary coordination with the Santa Ana California Regional Water Quality Board (“SACRWQB”), ACP has been remediating the contamination, the principal contaminant of which is perchloroethylene (“PERC”). In 2004, the Orange County Water District (“OCWD”) filed a civil complaint against ACP and other parties seeking to recover compensatory and other damages related to the investigation and remediation of contaminated groundwater. Pursuant to a settlement agreement entered into by ACP and OCWD in 2007, ACP agreed, among other things, to operate two groundwater treatment systems to hydraulically contain groundwater contamination emanating from ACP's site until the concentrations of PERC released by ACP fell below the current Federal maximum contaminant level for four consecutive quarterly sampling events. In February 2014, ACP, with the consent of OCWD and SACRWQB, ceased operation at one of its two groundwater treatment systems, as it had met the above condition for closure. Based on the most recent modeling, it is estimated that the remaining system will operate for another one to three years.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company believes that the range of potential-known liabilities associated with the balance of ACP water remediation program is approximately $360 to $970, for which the Company has sufficient reserves. The low and high ends of the range are based on the length of operation of the treatment system as determined by groundwater modeling. Costs of operation include the operation and maintenance of the extraction well, groundwater monitoring and program management.
	The Company believes, although there can be no assurance regarding the outcome of other unrelated environmental matters, that it has made adequate accruals for costs associated with other environmental problems of which it is aware. Approximately $173 and $205 was accrued at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, to provide for such anticipated future environmental assessments and remediation costs.
	An inactive subsidiary of the Company that was acquired in 1978 sold certain products containing asbestos, primarily on an installed basis, and is among the defendants in numerous lawsuits alleging injury due to exposure to asbestos. The subsidiary discontinued operations in 1991 and has no remaining assets other than the proceeds from insurance settlements received. To date, the overwhelming majority of these claims have been disposed of without payment and there have been no adverse judgments against the subsidiary. Based on a continued analysis of the existing and anticipated future claims against this subsidiary, it is currently projected that the subsidiary's total liability over the next 50 years for these claims is less than $3,800 (excluding costs of defense). Although the Company has also been named as a defendant in certain of these cases, no claims have been actively pursued against the Company, and the Company has not contributed to the defense or settlement of any of these cases pursued against the subsidiary. These cases were previously handled by the subsidiary's primary and excess insurers who had agreed in 1997 to pay all defense costs and be responsible for all damages assessed against the subsidiary arising out of existing and future asbestos claims up to the aggregate limits of the policies. A significant portion of this primary insurance coverage was provided by an insurer that is now insolvent, and the other primary insurers have asserted that the aggregate limits of their policies have been exhausted. The subsidiary challenged the applicability of these limits to the claims being brought against the subsidiary. In response, two of the three carriers entered into separate settlement and release agreements with the subsidiary in 2005 and 2007 for $15,000 and $20,000, respectively. The proceeds of both settlements are restricted and can only be used to pay claims and costs of defense associated with the subsidiary's asbestos litigation. In 2007, the subsidiary and the remaining primary insurance carrier entered into a Claim Handling and Funding Agreement, under which the carrier agreed to pay 27% of defense and indemnity costs incurred by or on behalf of the subsidiary in connection with asbestos bodily injury claims for a minimum of five years. The agreement continues until terminated and can only be terminated by either party by providing the other party with a minimum of two years prior written notice. As of December 31, 2014, no notice of termination has been given under this agreement. At the end of the term of the agreement, the subsidiary may choose to again pursue its claim against this insurer regarding the application of the policy limits. The Company believes that, if the coverage issues under the primary policies with the remaining carrier are resolved adversely to the subsidiary and all settlement proceeds were used, the subsidiary may have limited additional coverage from a state guarantee fund established following the insolvency of one of the subsidiary's primary insurers. Nevertheless, liabilities in respect of claims may exceed the assets and coverage available to the subsidiary.
	If the subsidiary's assets and insurance coverage were to be exhausted, claimants of the subsidiary may actively pursue claims against the Company because of the parent-subsidiary relationship. The Company does not believe that such claims would have merit or that the Company would be held to have liability for any unsatisfied obligations of the subsidiary as a result of such claims. After evaluating the nature of the claims filed against the subsidiary and the small number of such claims that have resulted in any payment, the potential availability of additional insurance coverage at the subsidiary level, the additional availability of the Company's own insurance and the Company's strong defenses to claims that it should be held responsible for the subsidiary's obligations because of the parent-subsidiary relationship, the Company believes it is not probable that the Company will incur any material losses. The Company has been successful to date having claims naming it dismissed during initial proceedings. Since the Company may be in this early stage of litigation for some time, it is not possible to estimate additional losses or range of loss, if any.
	As initially disclosed in 2010, one of the Company's subsidiaries may have paid certain value-added-taxes (“VAT”) incorrectly and, in certain cases, may not have collected sufficient VAT from certain customers. The VAT rules and regulations at issue are complex, vary among the jurisdictions and can be contradictory, in particular as to how they relate to the subsidiary's products and to sales between jurisdictions.
	Since its inception, the subsidiary had been consistent in its VAT collection and remittance practices and had never been contacted by any tax authority relative to VAT. The subsidiary later determined that for certain products, a portion of the VAT was incorrectly paid and that the total VAT due exceeds the amount originally collected and remitted by the subsidiary. In response, the subsidiary modified its VAT invoicing and payment procedures to eliminate or mitigate future exposure. In 2010, three jurisdictions contacted the subsidiary and, since then, the subsidiary has either participated in an amnesty program or entered into a settlement whereby it paid a reduced portion of the amounts owed in resolution of those jurisdictions' claims. In late 2013, an additional jurisdiction issued an assessment against the subsidiary for certain tax years. The subsidiary has filed an appeal of the assessment alleging certain errors by such jurisdiction related to the assessment.
	In analyzing the subsidiary's exposure, it is difficult to estimate both the probability and the amount of any potential liabilities due to a number of factors, including: the decrease in exposure over time due to applicable statutes of limitations and actions taken by the subsidiary, the joint liability of customers and suppliers for a portion of the VAT, the availability of a VAT refund for VAT incorrectly paid through an administrative process, any amounts which may have been or will be paid by customers, as well as the timing and structure of any tax amnesties or settlements. In addition, interest and penalties on any VAT due can be a multiple of the base tax. The subsidiary may contest any tax assessment administratively and/or judicially for an extended period of time, but may ultimately resolve its disputes through participation in tax amnesty programs, which are a common practice for settling tax disputes in the jurisdictions in question and which have historically occurred on a regular basis, resulting in significant reductions of interest and penalties. Also, the timing of payments and refunds of VAT may not be contemporaneous, and, if additional VAT is owed, it may not be fully recoverable from customers.
	In 2010, the Company recorded a net charge of $4,132, which consisted of a net $3,901 charge related to two tax dispute settlements entered into by the subsidiary, as well as a net $231 charge representing management's best estimate based on the information available to it, including the factors noted above, of the amount that ultimately may be paid related to the other jurisdiction that has made inquiries. At December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company had no remaining accrual, related to the 2010 charges, for payments to be made under the tax dispute settlements entered into by the subsidiary, noted above. In 2013, the Company recorded a net charge of $796, representing the Company's best estimate of the amount that ultimately may be paid related to the 2013 assessment referenced above.
	The charges taken by the Company in 2010 and 2013 assume a successful recovery of the VAT incorrectly paid, as well as reductions in interest and penalties from anticipated future amnesty programs or settlements. On a similar basis, if all other potentially impacted jurisdictions were to initiate audits and issue assessments, the remaining exposure, net of refunds, could be from $0 to $4,000 with one jurisdiction representing approximately 80 percent of this additional exposure, assuming the continued availability of future amnesty programs or settlements to reduce the interest and penalties. If there are future assessments but no such future amnesty programs or settlements, the potential exposure could be higher.
	The Company is party to other litigation which management currently believes will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.
	The Company leases certain manufacturing and office facilities and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases with various terms from 1 to 9 years expiring in 2023. Rent expense for 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $5,792, $5,510, and $5,189, respectively.
	The Company's minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2014 for future years were approximately:
		2015	$	5,301
		2016	$	4,381
		2017	$	2,580
		2018	$	348
		2019	$	217
		2020 and beyond	$	129

Quarterly_Results_unaudited

Quarterly Results (unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Results (unaudited) [Abstract]
Quarterly Results (unaudited) [Text Block]	Note 24 – Quarterly Results (unaudited)
				First		Second		Third		Fourth
				Quarter (1)		Quarter (2)		Quarter (3)		Quarter (4)
	2014
		Net sales		$	181,674	$	191,286	$	198,867	$	194,033
		Gross profit			65,114		68,216		70,300		69,576
		Operating income			19,373		20,945		20,553		16,485
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation			12,730		15,427		15,696		12,639
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
			Common Shareholders - Basic	$	0.96	$	1.17	$	1.18	$	0.95
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
			Common Shareholders - Diluted	$	0.96	$	1.16	$	1.18	$	0.95
	2013
		Net sales		$	176,193	$	184,846	$	184,059	$	184,297
		Gross profit			62,608		67,314		65,990		65,163
		Operating income			17,411		19,793		18,807		15,232
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation			13,619		16,083		12,551		14,086
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
			Common Shareholders - Basic	$	1.04	$	1.22	$	0.95	$	1.07
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
			Common Shareholders - Diluted	$	1.04	$	1.22	$	0.95	$	1.07
	(1)       Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation for the first quarter of 2014 and the first quarter of 2013 includes earnings from the Company's equity interest in a captive insurance company of approximately $0.06 and $0.11 per diluted share, respectively. The first quarter of 2013 earnings from the Company's equity interest in a captive insurance company includes an out-of-period adjustment of approximately $1,038, primarily related to a reinsurance contract held by the captive insurance company. Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation in the first quarter of 2014 includes a pension charge related to an amendment to the Company's U.K. pension plan of approximately $0.05 per diluted share. Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation in the first quarter of 2013 includes a currency charge of approximately $0.03 per diluted share related to the conversion of the Venezuelan Bolivar Fuerte to the U.S. Dollar at the Company's 50% owned equity affiliate in Venezuela.
	(2)       Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation for the second quarter of 2014 and the second quarter of 2013 includes earnings from the Company's equity interest in a captive insurance company of approximately $0.09 and $0.13 per diluted share, respectively. Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation in the second quarter of 2014 includes costs related to streamlining certain operations in the Company's EMEA segment of approximately $0.02 per diluted share and a currency charge of approximately $0.02 per diluted share related to the conversion of the Venezuelan Bolivar Fuerte to the U.S. Dollar at the Company's 50% owned equity affiliate in Venezuela. Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation in the second quarter of 2013 includes earnings per diluted share of approximately $0.14 related to a mineral oil excise tax refund. Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation in the second quarter of 2013 also includes a charge related to a change in the fair value of an acquisition-earnout liability of approximately $0.03 per diluted share and costs related to streamlining certain operations in the Company's South American segment of approximately $0.02 per diluted share.
	(3)       Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation for the third quarter of 2014 and the third quarter of 2013 includes earnings from the Company's equity interest in a captive insurance company of approximately $0.01 and $0.09 per diluted share, respectively. Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation for the third quarter of 2014 includes charges due to a U.S. customer bankruptcy of approximately $0.02 per diluted share. Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation for the third quarter of 2013 includes costs of approximately $0.05 per diluted share related to streamlining certain operations in the Company's EMEA segment.
	(4)       Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation for the fourth quarter of 2014 and the fourth quarter of 2013 includes earnings from the Company's equity interest in a captive insurance company of approximately $0.02 and $0.08 per diluted share, respectively. Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation for the fourth quarter of 2014 includes costs of approximately $0.04 per diluted share related to streamlining certain operations in the Company's South America segment and charges due to an EMEA customer bankruptcy of approximately $0.03 per diluted share. In addition, net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation for the fourth quarter of 2013 includes costs of approximately $0.01 per diluted share related to streamlining certain operations in the Company's EMEA segment, approximately $0.04 per diluted share related to a non-income tax contingency and approximately $0.06 per diluted share related to changes in the fair value of an acquisition-related earnout liability.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	All majority-owned subsidiaries are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements, with appropriate elimination of intercompany balances and transactions.
Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB's”) guidance regarding the consolidation of certain Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) generally requires that assets, liabilities and results of the activities of a VIE be consolidated into the financial statements of the enterprise that is considered the primary beneficiary. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained and would include any VIEs if the Company was the primary beneficiary pursuant to the provisions of the applicable guidance.
Equity and Cost Method Investments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Investments in associated companies (less than majority-owned and in which the Company has significant influence) are accounted for under the equity method. The Company's share of net income or losses in these investments in associated companies is included in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The Company periodically reviews these investments for impairments and, if necessary, would adjust these investments to their fair value when a decline in market value or other impairment indicators are deemed to be other than temporary.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Translation of foreign currency: Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries and associated companies are translated into U.S. Dollars at the respective rates of exchange prevailing at the end of the year. Income and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are recorded directly in equity as accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income and will be included as income or expense only upon sale or liquidation of the underlying investment. Generally, all of the Company's non-U.S. subsidiaries use their local currency as their functional currency.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash and cash equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories: Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value, and are valued using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Long-lived assets: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method on an individual asset basis over the following estimated useful lives: buildings and improvements, 10 to 45 years; and machinery and equipment, 1 to 15 years. The carrying value of long-lived assets is periodically evaluated whenever changes in circumstances or current events indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. An estimate of undiscounted cash flows produced by the asset, or the appropriate group of assets, is compared with the carrying value to determine whether an impairment exists. If necessary, the Company recognizes an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount of the assets and their estimated fair value. Fair value is based on current and anticipated future cash flows. Upon sale or other dispositions of long-lived assets, the applicable amounts of asset cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the net amount, less proceeds from disposals, is recorded in income. Expenditures for renewals or improvements that increase the estimated useful life or capacity of the assets are capitalized, whereas expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred.
Internal Use Software, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Capitalized software: The Company capitalizes certain costs in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use. These costs are amortized over a period of three to five years once the assets are ready for their intended use.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill and other intangible assets: The Company records goodwill, definite-lived intangible assets and indefinite-lived intangible assets at fair value at the date of acquisition. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually. These tests will be performed more frequently if triggering events indicate potential impairment. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally for periods ranging from 4 to 20 years. The Company continually evaluates the reasonableness of the useful lives of these assets, consistent with the discussion of long-lived assets, above.
Revenue Recognition Accounting Policy, Gross and Net Revenue Disclosure [Policy Text Block]	Revenue recognition: The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with the terms of the underlying agreements, when title and risk of loss have been transferred, when collectability is reasonably assured, and when pricing is fixed or determinable. This generally occurs when products are shipped to customers or, for consignment-type arrangements, upon usage by the customer and when services are performed. License fees and royalties are included in other income when recognized in accordance with their agreed-upon terms, when performance obligations are satisfied, when the amount is fixed or determinable, and when collectability is reasonably assured. As part of the Company's chemical management services, certain third-party product sales to customers are managed by the Company. Where the Company acts as a principal, revenues are recognized on a gross reporting basis at the selling price negotiated with its customers. Where the Company acts as an agent, such revenue is recorded using net reporting as service revenue at the amount of the administrative fee earned by the Company for ordering the goods.
Receivables, Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts: Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company's best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses with its existing accounts receivable. Reserves for customers filing for bankruptcy protection are generally established at 75-100% of the amount outstanding at the bankruptcy filing date. However, initially establishing a reserve and the amount thereto is dependent on the Company's evaluation of likely proceeds to be received from the bankruptcy process, which could result in the Company recognizing minimal or no reserve at the date of bankruptcy. Large and/or financially distressed customers are generally reserved for on a specific review basis while a general reserve is established for other customers based on historical experience. The Company performs a formal review of its allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company feels it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its customers.
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Research and development costs: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in SG&A.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Concentration of credit risk: Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk, principally consist of cash equivalents, short-term investments and trade receivables. The Company invests temporary and excess funds in money market securities and financial instruments having maturities typically within 90 days. The Company has not experienced losses from the aforementioned investments.
Environmental Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Environmental liabilities and expenditures: Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated. If there is a range of estimated liability and no amount in that range is considered more probable than another, then the Company records the lowest amount in the range in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Accrued liabilities are exclusive of claims against third parties and are not discounted. Environmental costs and remediation costs are capitalized if the costs extend the life, increase the capacity or improve safety or efficiency of the property from the date acquired or constructed, and/or mitigate or prevent contamination in the future.
Asset Retirement Obligations, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Asset retirement obligations: The Company follows the FASB's guidance regarding asset retirement obligations, which addresses the accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated retirement costs. Also, the Company follows the FASB's guidance for conditional asset retirement obligations (“CARO”), which relates to legal obligations to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. In accordance with this guidance, the Company records a liability when there is enough information regarding the timing of the CARO to perform a probability-weighted discounted cash flow analysis.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Pension and other postretirement benefits: The Company maintains various noncontributory retirement plans, the largest of which is in the U.S., covering substantially all of its employees in the U.S. and certain other countries. The plans of the Company's subsidiaries in The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Sweden are subject to the provisions of FASB's guidance regarding employers' accounting for defined benefit pension plans. The plans of the remaining non-U.S. subsidiaries are, for the most part, either fully insured or integrated with the local governments' plans and are not subject to the provisions of the guidance. The guidance requires that employers recognize on a prospective basis the funded status of their defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans on their consolidated balance sheet and, also, recognize as a component of other comprehensive income, net of tax, the gains or losses and prior service costs or credits that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.
	The Company's U.S. pension plan year ends on November 30 and the measurement date is December 31. The measurement date for the Company's other postretirement benefits plan is December 31.
	The Company's pension investment policy is designed to ensure that pension assets are invested in a manner consistent with meeting the future benefit obligations of the pension plans and maintaining compliance with various laws and regulations including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”). The Company establishes strategic asset allocation percentage targets and appropriate benchmarks for significant asset classes with the aim of achieving a prudent balance between return and risk. The Company's investment horizon is generally long term, and, accordingly, the target asset allocations encompass a long-term perspective of capital markets, expected risk and return and perceived future economic conditions while also considering the profile of plan liabilities. To the extent feasible, the short-term investment portfolio is managed to immunize the short-term obligations, the intermediate portfolio duration is immunized to reduce the risk of volatility in intermediate plan distributions, and the total return portfolio is expected to maximize the long-term real growth of plan assets. The critical investment principles of diversification, assessment of risk and targeting the optimal expected returns for given levels of risk are applied. The Company's investment guidelines prohibit use of securities such as letter stock and other unregistered securities, commodities or commodity contracts, short sales, margin transactions, private placements (unless specifically addressed by addendum), or any derivatives, options or futures for the purpose of portfolio leveraging.
	The target asset allocation is reviewed periodically and is determined based on a long-term projection of capital market outcomes, inflation rates, fixed income yields, returns, volatilities and correlation relationships. The interaction between plan assets and benefit obligations is periodically studied to assist in establishing such strategic asset allocation targets. Asset performance is monitored with an overall expectation that plan assets will meet or exceed benchmark performance over rolling five-year periods. The Company's pension committee, as authorized by the Company's Board of Directors, has discretion to manage the assets within established asset allocation ranges approved by senior management of the Company.
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Comprehensive income (loss): The Company presents other comprehensive income (loss) in its Statement of Comprehensive Income. The Company follows the FASB's guidance regarding the disclosure of reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) which requires the disclosure of significant amounts reclassified from each component of AOCI, the related tax amounts and the income statement line items affected by such reclassifications. The Company elected to present the information in its Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Income taxes and uncertain tax positions: The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. The provision for income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable for the current year and the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes result from differences between the financial and tax bases of the Company's assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when changes are enacted. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.
Income Tax Uncertainties, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The FASB's guidance regarding accounting for uncertainty in income taxes prescribes the recognition threshold and measurement attributes for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. The guidance further requires the determination of whether the benefits of tax positions will be more likely than not sustained upon audit based upon the technical merits of the tax position. For tax positions that are determined to be more likely than not sustained upon audit, a company recognizes the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement in the financial statements. For tax positions that are not determined to be more likely than not sustained upon audit, a company does not recognize any portion of the benefit in the financial statements. Additionally, the guidance provides for derecognition, classification, penalties and interest, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The guidance also requires that the amount of interest expense and income to be recognized related to uncertain tax positions be computed by applying the applicable statutory rate of interest to the difference between the tax position recognized, including timing differences, and the amount previously taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company's continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
	The Company follows the FASB's guidance that requires an entity to net its liability for unrecognized tax benefits against deferred tax assets related to net operating losses or other tax credit carryforwards that would apply if the uncertain tax position were settled for the presumed amount at the balance sheet date.
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Derivatives: The Company is exposed to the impact of changes in interest rates, foreign currency fluctuations, changes in commodity prices and credit risk. The Company is currently not using derivative instruments to mitigate the risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations, changes in commodity prices or credit risk, but has used derivative financial instruments primarily for purposes of hedging exposures to fluctuations in interest rates in the past. When used, the Company recognized all derivatives on its balance sheet at fair value. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of any hedge would be reported in AOCI until it was cleared to earnings during the same period in which the hedged item affected earnings. The Company currently uses no derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges and has not entered into derivative contracts for trading or speculative purposes.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair value measurements: The Company utilizes the FASB's guidance regarding fair value measurements, which establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to guidance requiring use of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements. Specifically, the guidance utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:
		•	Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
		•	Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
		•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity's own assumptions.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Stock-based compensation: The Company applies the FASB's guidance regarding share-based payments, which requires the recognition of the fair value of stock-based compensation as a component of expense. The Company has a long-term incentive program (“LTIP”) for key employees which provides for the granting of options to purchase stock at prices not less than its market value on the date of the grant. Most options become exercisable between one and three years after the date of the grant for a period of time determined by the Company, but not to exceed seven years from the date of grant. Common stock awards and Restricted Stock Units (“RSU”) issued under the LTIP program are subject only to time vesting over a one to five-year period. In addition, as part of the Company's Global Annual Incentive Plan (“GAIP”), nonvested shares may be issued to key employees, which generally vest over a two to five-year period. Based on historical experience, the Company has generally assumed a forfeiture rate of 13% on its nonvested stock awards. The Company will record additional expense if the actual forfeiture rate is lower than estimated, and will record a recovery of prior expense if the actual forfeiture is higher than estimated.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Earnings per share: The Company follows the FASB's guidance regarding the calculation of earnings per share (“EPS”) for nonvested stock awards with rights to non-forfeitable dividends. The guidance requires nonvested stock awards with rights to non-forfeitable dividends to be included as part of the basic weighted average share calculation under the two-class method.
Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Segments: The Company's reporting segments are the same as the Company's operating segments. The Company's reportable operating segments evidence the structure of the Company's internal organization, the method by which the Company's resources are allocated and the manner by which the Company assesses its performance.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Reclassifications: Certain information has been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounting estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosure of contingencies at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

Business_Segments_Tables

Business Segments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]				2014			2013			2012
		Segment assets
			North America	$	340,385		$	298,305		$	279,253
			EMEA		124,273			103,414			101,532
			Asia/Pacific		170,580			144,682			116,853
			South America		30,288			37,745			38,996
			Total segment assets	$	665,526		$	584,146		$	536,634
				2014			2013			2012
		Segment long-lived assets
			North America	$	92,319		$	91,464		$	91,121
			EMEA		20,634			20,863			20,056
			Asia/Pacific		24,392			24,695			19,720
			South America		3,911			4,130			5,276
			Total segment long-lived assets	$	141,256		$	141,152		$	136,173
				2014			2013			2012
		Capital expenditures
			North America	$	3,658		$	2,793		$	3,262
			EMEA		4,811			1,391			3,332
			Asia/Pacific		3,202			6,386			5,451
			South America		1,381			869			690
			Total segment capital expenditures	$	13,052		$	11,439		$	12,735
				2014			2013			2012
		Depreciation
			North America	$	5,231		$	5,236		$	5,635
			EMEA		3,069			3,145			2,906
			Asia/Pacific		2,713			2,080			1,720
			South America		1,060			1,211			1,333
			Total segment depreciation	$	12,073		$	11,672		$	11,594
			2014			2013			2012
	Net sales
		North America	$	334,400		$	308,353		$	310,127
		EMEA		195,309			187,794			174,799
		Asia/Pacific		185,974			169,505			157,062
		South America		50,177			63,743			66,238
		Total net sales	$	765,860		$	729,395		$	708,226
			2014			2013			2012
	Operating earnings, excluding indirect operating expenses
		North America	$	68,296		$	61,307		$	58,571
		EMEA		32,589			29,643			24,640
		Asia/Pacific		43,847			42,373			37,030
		South America		4,292			9,177			6,730
		Total operating earnings, excluding indirect operating expenses		149,024			142,500			126,971
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]			2014			2013			2012
		Total operating earnings, excluding indirect operating expenses		149,024			142,500			126,971
		Non-operating charges		-67,110			-67,145			-59,983
		Depreciation of corporate assets and amortization		-4,558			-4,112			-3,764
		Consolidated operating income		77,356			71,243			63,224
		Other income, net		767			3,519			3,415
		Interest expense		-2,371			-2,922			-4,283
		Interest income		2,541			986			592
		Consolidated income before taxes and equity in net income of associated companies	$	78,293		$	72,826		$	62,948
Schedule of Product Information [Table Text Block]				2014			2013			2012
		Rolling lubricants		20.1	%		20.7	%		20.7	%
		Machining and grinding compounds		16.3	%		17.7	%		17.6	%
		Hydraulic fluids		13	%		12.9	%		13.5	%
		Corrosion preventives		12.5	%		12.5	%		12.4	%

Stock_Based_Compensation_Table

Stock Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan [Table Text Block]				December 31,
					2014			2013			2012
		Stock options		$	663		$	517		$	542
		Nonvested stock awards and restricted stock units			2,473			1,900			1,504
		Employee stock purchase plan			73			60			48
		Non-elective and elective 401(k) matching contribution in stock			1,975			1,612			1,653
		Director stock ownership plan			125			72			60
		Total share-based compensation expense		$	5,309		$	4,161		$	3,807
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]			2014								2013
					Weighted				Weighted			Weighted		Weighted
					Average				Average			Average		Average
					Exercise				Remaining			Exercise		Remaining
			Number of		Price				Contractual		Number of	Price		Contractual
			Shares		per Share				Term (years)		Shares	per Share		Term (years)
	Options outstanding at January 1,		75,251		$	44.49					107,455	$	31.23
		Options granted	37,048			73.47					29,302		58.26
		Options exercised	-25,224			36.65					-57,137		27.12
		Options forfeited	0			0					-3,601		37.81
		Options expired	0			0					-768		37.37
	Options outstanding at December 31,		87,075		$	59.09			5.2		75,251	$	44.49	5.2
	Options exercisable at December 31,		18,696		$	44.38			4.1		11,840	$	28.42	3.9
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]									Number		Weighted	Weighted		Number		Weighted
									Outstanding		Average	Average		Exercisable		Average
		Range of							at		Contractual	Exercise		at		Exercise
		Exercise Prices							12/31/14		Life	Price		12/31/14		Price
		$	0		-		$	10	0		0	$	0	0		$	0
		$	10.01		-		$	20	2,367		2.1		18.82	2,367			18.82
		$	20.01		-		$	30	0		0		0	0			0
		$	30.01		-		$	40	18,296		4		37.96	7,230			37.71
		$	40.01		-		$	50	2,192		4.5		46.21	1,462			46.21
		$	50.01		-		$	60	27,172		5.2		58.26	7,637			58.26
		$	60.01		-		$	70	0		0		0	0			0
		$	70.01		-		$	80	37,048		6.2		73.47	0			0
									87,075		5.2		59.09	18,696			44.38
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]				For the Year Ended December 31,										June 30,
				2014			2013			2012		2011		2012
		Number of stock options granted		37,048			29,302			37,965		36,835		2,192
		Dividend yield		2	%		2.49	%		3.09	%	5	%	2.69	%
		Expected volatility		43.34	%		57.28	%		69.9	%	62.13	%	69.09	%
		Risk-free interest rate		1.22	%		0.63	%		0.61	%	1.99	%	0.58	%
		Expected term (years)		4			4			4		5		4
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block]				Year Ended December 31,
				2014			2013			2012
		2014 Stock option awards	$	227		$	0		$	0
		2013 Stock option awards	$	213		$	174		$	0
		2012 Stock option awards	$	199		$	189		$	167
		2011 Stock option awards	$	24		$	138		$	164
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]					Weighted
					Average Grant
			Number of		Date Fair Value
			Shares		(per share)
		Nonvested awards, December 31, 2013	115,984		$	47.27
		Granted	56,258		$	73.95
		Vested	-43,897		$	41.17
		Forfeited	-3,895		$	37.01
		Nonvested awards, December 31, 2014	124,450		$	61.8
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock Units Award Activity [Table Text Block]					Weighted
					Average Grant
			Number of		Date Fair Value
			Units		(per unit)
		Nonvested awards, December 31, 2013	4,018		$	49.71
		Granted	3,140		$	75.52
		Nonvested awards, December 31, 2014	7,158		$	61.03

Other_Income_Expense_Tables

Other Income (Expense) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Table Text Block]				2014		2013		2012
		Non-income tax and other related refunds		$	582	$	2,876	$	358
		Change in fair value of acquisition-related liabilities			0		497		2,770
		Income from third party license fees			1,063		1,027		1,264
		Foreign exchange losses, net			-1,039		-1,076		-1,034
		Asset impairment related to a cost streamlining initiative			0		-211		0
		Gain on fixed asset disposals, net			128		382		25
		Other non-operating income			329		247		337
		Other non-operating expense			-296		-223		-305
			Total other income, net	$	767	$	3,519	$	3,415

Taxes_on_Income_and_Uncertain_

Taxes on Income and Uncertain Positions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Taxes on Income and Uncertain Tax Positions [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]					Year Ended December 31,
					2014			2013			2012
		Current:
			Federal	$	8,086		$	7,216		$	3,318
			State		796			263			-69
			Foreign		13,650			13,040			9,972
					22,532			20,519			13,221
		Deferred:
			Federal		2,548			155			4,409
			State		57			138			-794
			Foreign		-1,598			-323			-1,261
		Total		$	23,539		$	20,489		$	15,575
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]					Year Ended December 31,
					2014			2013			2012
		Domestic		$	32,391		$	25,900		$	26,520
		Foreign			45,902			46,926			36,428
		Total		$	78,293		$	72,826		$	62,948
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]				2014						2013
					Current			Non-current			Current		Non-current
		Retirement benefits		$	568		$	11,179		$	585	$	9,371
		Allowance for doubtful accounts			2,237			0			1,990		0
		Insurance and litigation reserves			615			245			677		126
		Postretirement benefits			0			2,137			0		1,951
		Supplemental retirement benefits			0			3,448			0		3,010
		Performance incentives			3,821			884			3,858		686
		Equity-based compensation			353			939			351		585
		Insurance settlement			0			8,429			6		9,071
		Operating loss carryforward			0			8,657			0		9,228
		Uncertain tax positions			0			4,313			0		5,806
		Other			1,293			780			975		888
					8,887			41,011			8,442		40,722
		Valuation allowance			-900			-6,445			-924		-6,742
		Total deferred income tax assets, net		$	7,987		$	34,566		$	7,518	$	33,980
		Depreciation			0			4,616			0		4,712
		Europe pension and other			0			1,654			0		2,343
		Amortization and other			353			12,468			749		8,930
		Total deferred income tax liabilities		$	353		$	18,738		$	749	$	15,985
Schedule of Deferred Income Tax Assets Valuation Allowance [Table Text Block]													Effect of
					Balance at			Additional			Allowance		Exchange		Balance
					Beginning			Valuation			Utilization		Rate		at End
					of Period			Allowance			and Other		Changes		of Period
		VALUATION ALLOWANCE
		Year ended December 31, 2014		$	7,666		$	5		$	-105	$	-221	$	7,345
		Year ended December 31, 2013		$	7,858		$	26		$	-1	$	-217	$	7,666
		Year ended December 31, 2012		$	1,377		$	6,594		$	-34	$	-79	$	7,858
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]					2014			2013			2012
		Income tax provision at the Federal statutory tax rate		$	27,402		$	25,489		$	22,032
		Differences in tax rates on foreign earnings and remittances			-3,025			-2,487			-3,207
		Foreign dividends			3,278			1,922			815
		Excess foreign tax credit utilization			-5,011			-3,664			-2,237
		Research and development activities credit utilization			-226			-200			0
		Uncertain tax positions			263			-589			-1,196
		Domestic production activities deduction			-567			-560			-402
		State income tax provisions, net			517			171			-45
		Non-deductible entertainment and business meals expense			278			229			200
		Miscellaneous items, net			630			178			-385
		Taxes on income		$	23,539		$	20,489		$	15,575
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]				2014			2013			2012
	Unrecognized tax benefits at January 1		$	12,596		$	12,410		$	12,719
		(Decrease) increase in unrecognized tax benefits taken in prior periods		-93			83			0
		(Decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits taken in prior periods		0			0			-411
		Increase in unrecognized tax benefits taken in current period		2,678			2,182			1,733
		(Decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits due to lapse of statute of limitations		-2,078			-2,485			-1,837
		(Decrease) increase due to foreign exchange rates		-1,258			406			206
	Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31		$	11,845		$	12,596		$	12,410
Schedule Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities Balance Sheet Classification [Table Text Block]				2014			2013
		Current deferred tax assets		$	8,367		$	7,826
		Non-current deferred tax assets			24,411			24,724
		Current deferred tax liabilities			732			1,057
		Non-current deferred tax liabilities			8,584			6,729
		Net deferred tax asset		$	23,462		$	24,764

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]			December 31,
			2014		2013		2012
	Basic earnings per common share
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$	56,492	$	56,339	$	47,405
		Less: income allocated to participating securities		-503		-481		-526
		Net income available to common shareholders	$	55,989	$	55,858	$	46,879
		Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		13,126,759		13,044,842		12,871,703
	Basic earnings per common share		$	4.27	$	4.28	$	3.64
	Diluted earnings per common share
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$	56,492	$	56,339	$	47,405
		Less: income allocated to participating securities		-503		-481		-524
		Net income available to common shareholders	$	55,989	$	55,858	$	46,881
		Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		13,126,759		13,044,842		12,871,703
		Effect of dilutive securities		21,309		24,770		58,798
		Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		13,148,068		13,069,612		12,930,501
	Diluted earnings per common share		$	4.26	$	4.27	$	3.63

AR_and_Allowance_for_Doubtful_

AR and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]										Exchange
						Changes				Rate
				Balance at		to Costs		Write-Offs		Changes		Balance
				Beginning		and		Charged to		And Other		at End
				of Period		Expenses		Allowance		Adjustments		of Period
		ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
		Year ended December 31, 2014	$	7,133	$	-264	$	-296	$	-75	$	6,498
		Year ended December 31, 2013	$	6,399	$	1,136	$	-407	$	5	$	7,133
		Year ended December 31, 2012	$	4,569	$	2,072	$	-737	$	495	$	6,399

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]				December 31,
				2014		2013
		Raw materials and supplies	$	37,961	$	37,063
		Work in process and finished goods		39,747		34,494
			$	77,708	$	71,557

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_T

Property, Plant and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Leases, Capital [Abstract]
Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments for Capital Leases [Table Text Block]		For the year ended December 31,
		2015	$	84
		2016		68
		2017		59
		2018		0
		2019		0
		2020 and beyond		0
		Total net minimum lease payments		211
		Less amount representing interest		-10
		Present value of net minimum lease payments	$	201
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]				December 31,
				2014		2013
		Land	$	7,962	$	8,510
		Building and improvements		78,911		80,644
		Machinery and equipment		142,102		136,549
		Construction in progress		5,541		8,162
				234,516		233,865
		Less accumulated depreciation		-148,753		-148,377
			$	85,763	$	85,488

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]
			North									South
			America			EMEA			Asia/Pacific			America			Total
		Balance as of December 31, 2012	$	28,535		$	11,411		$	15,323		$	3,900		$	59,169
		Goodwill additions		277			0			0			0			277
		Currency translation adjustments		-685			-227			-305			-78			-1,295
		Balance as of December 31, 2013		28,127			11,184			15,018			3,822			58,151
		Goodwill additions		14,612			6,130			1,075			0			21,817
		Currency translation adjustments		-62			-1,264			-87			-622			-2,035
		Balance as of December 31, 2014	$	42,677		$	16,050		$	16,006		$	3,200		$	77,933
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]				Gross Carrying						Accumulated
				Amount						Amortization
				2014			2013			2014			2013
		Definite-lived intangible assets
		Customer lists and rights to sell		$	63,502		$	33,559		$	12,681		$	10,221
		Trademarks and patents			18,944			6,838			4,066			3,202
		Formulations and product technology			5,808			5,808			3,896			3,709
		Other			6,647			5,544			4,950			4,445
		Total		$	94,901		$	51,749		$	25,593		$	21,577
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]		For the year ended December 31, 2015		$6,807
		For the year ended December 31, 2016		$6,334
		For the year ended December 31, 2017		$5,877
		For the year ended December 31, 2018		$5,654
		For the year ended December 31, 2019		$5,574

Investment_in_Associated_Compa

Investment in Associated Companies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments in Associated Companies [Abstract]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]					December 31,
					2014		2013
			Current Assets	$	27,679	$	28,363
			Noncurrent Assets		1,105		717
			Current Liabilities		13,648		13,974
			Noncurrent Liabilities		397		501
					Year Ended December 31,
					2014		2013		2012
		Net Sales		$	48,834	$	47,226	$	55,963
		Gross Margin			15,698		16,096		18,480
		Income Before Income Taxes			3,546		3,687		3,170
		Net Income			2,263		2,142		2,118
					December 31,
					2014		2013
			Total Assets	$	109,259	$	106,450
			Total Liabilities		59,773		63,938
					Year Ended December 31,
					2014		2013		2012
		Revenue		$	10,755	$	20,895	$	8,473
		Income Before Income Taxes			10,929		25,625		8,901
		Net Income			7,352		16,876		6,031

Other_Assets_Tables

Other Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Assets [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets, Noncurrent [Table Text Block]			December 31,
			2014		2013
		Restricted insurance settlement	$	23,599	$	25,462
		Deferred compensation assets		779		894
		Supplemental retirement income program		1,361		1,885
		Uncertain tax positions		5,516		4,677
		Other		2,487		3,349
		Total	$	33,742	$	36,267

Other_Current_Liabilities_Tabl

Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]				December 31,
				2014		2013
		Non-income taxes	$	7,717	$	7,658
		Acquisition-related consideration		246		4,797
		Professional fees		1,638		2,007
		Selling expenses		3,352		4,266
		Legal		754		960
		Freight		1,547		1,914
		Income taxes payable		4,210		5,216
		Other		4,233		3,767
		Total	$	23,697	$	30,585

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]					December 31,
					2014		2013
		Industrial development authority monthly 5.60% fixed rate demand bond maturing 2018		$	5,000	$	5,000
		Industrial development authority monthly 5.26% fixed rate demand bond maturing 2028			10,000		10,000
		Credit facilities (1.16% weighted average borrowing rate at December 31, 2014)			58,421		0
		Ohio Department of Development term loan (see below)			2,109		2,428
		Other debt obligations (including capital leases)			201		1,288
					75,731		18,716
		Short-term debt			0		-945
		Current portion of long-term debt			-403		-450
				$	75,328	$	17,321
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]			2015	$	403
			2016		395
			2017		396
			2018		63,765
			2019		350
			2020 and beyond	$	10,422

Pension_and_Other_Post_Retirem

Pension and Other Post Retirement Benefits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]																					Other
																					Postretirement
		Pension Benefits																			Benefits
		2014										2013								2014		2013
			Foreign			Domestic			Total			Foreign			Domestic			Total			Domestic		Domestic
	Change in benefit obligation
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	85,745		$	66,369		$	152,114		$	81,280		$	70,407		$	151,687		$	5,639	$	7,317
	Service cost		2,626			250			2,876			2,864			299			3,163			19		34
	Interest cost		3,210			2,823			6,033			3,150			2,437			5,587			232		185
	Employee contributions		89			0			89			111			0			111			0		0
	Effect of plan amendments		242			0			242			-2,138			0			-2,138			0		0
	Benefits paid		-1,985			-4,589			-6,574			-1,853			-4,516			-6,369			-533		-566
	Plan expenses and premiums paid		-361			-250			-611			-367			-225			-592			0		0
	Transfer in of business acquisition		2,818			0			2,818			0			0			0			0		0
	Actuarial loss (gain)		26,412			6,064			32,476			-566			-2,033			-2,599			688		-1,331
	Translation differences and other		-11,969			0			-11,969			3,264			0			3,264			0		0
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	106,827		$	70,667		$	177,494		$	85,745		$	66,369		$	152,114		$	6,045	$	5,639
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of
	year	$	68,659		$	50,650		$	119,309		$	60,909		$	45,991		$	106,900		$	0	$	0
	Actual return on plan assets		23,981			2,591			26,572			3,237			7,487			10,724			0		0
	Employer contributions		3,778			1,287			5,065			3,947			1,913			5,860			533		566
	Employee contributions		89			0			89			111			0			111			0		0
	Benefits paid		-1,985			-4,589			-6,574			-1,853			-4,516			-6,369			-533		-566
	Plan expenses and premiums paid		-361			-250			-611			-367			-225			-592			0		0
	Transfer in of business acquisition		2,093			0			2,093			0			0			0			0		0
	Translation differences		-9,731			0			-9,731			2,675			0			2,675			0		0
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	86,523		$	49,689		$	136,212		$	68,659		$	50,650		$	119,309		$	0	$	0
	Net amount recognized	$	-20,304		$	-20,978		$	-41,282		$	-17,086		$	-15,719		$	-32,805		$	-6,045	$	-5,639
	Amounts recognized in the balance sheet
	consist of:
	Current liabilities	$	-94		$	-577		$	-671		$	-242		$	-589		$	-831		$	-568	$	-607
	Non-current liabilities		-20,210			-20,401			-40,611			-16,844			-15,130			-31,974			-5,477		-5,032
	Net amount recognized	$	-20,304		$	-20,978		$	-41,282		$	-17,086		$	-15,719		$	-32,805		$	-6,045	$	-5,639
	Amounts not yet reflected in net periodic
	benefit costs and included in
	accumulated other comprehensive
	loss:
	Prior service credit (cost)	$	2,306		$	-248		$	2,058		$	2,105		$	-311		$	1,794		$	0	$	0
	Accumulated loss		-27,486			-33,125			-60,611			-27,188			-27,593			-54,781			-1,368		-745
	Accumulated other comprehensive
	loss (AOCI)		-25,180			-33,373			-58,553			-25,083			-27,904			-52,987			-1,368		-745
	Cumulative employer contributions
	in excess of net period benefit cost		4,876			12,395			17,271			7,997			12,185			20,182			-4,677		-4,894
	Net amount recognized	$	-20,304		$	-20,978		$	-41,282		$	-17,086		$	-15,719		$	-32,805		$	-6,045	$	-5,639
Schedule of Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]			2014										2013
				Foreign			Domestic			Total			Foreign			Domestic			Total
	Projected benefit obligation		$	106,827		$	70,667		$	177,494		$	85,745		$	66,369		$	152,114
	Accumulated benefit obligation			104,764			70,667			175,431			84,005			66,369			150,374
	Fair value of plan assets			86,523			49,689			136,212			68,659			50,650			119,309
Schedule of Benefit Obligations in Excess of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]			2014										2013
				Foreign			Domestic			Total			Foreign			Domestic			Total
	Projected benefit obligation		$	106,827		$	70,667		$	177,494		$	85,745		$	66,369		$	152,114
	Fair value of plan assets			86,523			49,689			136,212			68,659			50,650			119,309
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]			2014										2013
				Foreign			Domestic			Total			Foreign			Domestic			Total
	Service cost		$	2,626		$	250		$	2,876		$	2,864		$	299		$	3,163
	Interest cost			3,210			2,823			6,033			3,150			2,437			5,587
	Expected return on plan assets			-2,543			-3,817			-6,360			-2,245			-3,664			-5,909
	Actuarial loss amortization			1,307			1,757			3,064			1,486			2,481			3,967
	Prior service cost amortization			736			63			799			30			148			178
	Net periodic benefit cost		$	5,336		$	1,076		$	6,412		$	5,285		$	1,701		$	6,986
										2012
										Foreign			Domestic			Total
			Service cost						$	2,004		$	460		$	2,464
			Interest cost							3,020			2,803			5,823
			Expected return on plan assets							-1,995			-3,481			-5,476
			Actuarial loss amortization							590			2,057			2,647
			Prior service cost amortization							30			82			112
			Net periodic benefit cost						$	3,649		$	1,921		$	5,570
					2014			2013			2012
		Service cost		$	19		$	34		$	46
		Interest cost			232			185			283
		Actuarial loss amortization			65			32			115
		Net periodic benefit costs		$	316		$	251		$	444
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]			2014										2013
				Foreign			Domestic			Total			Foreign			Domestic			Total
	Net loss (gain) arising during the period		$	4,973		$	7,290		$	12,263		$	-1,558		$	-5,856		$	-7,414
	Effect of plan amendment			242			0			242			-2,138			0			-2,138
	Recognition of amortization in net periodic
		benefit cost
		Prior service cost		-736			-63			-799			-30			-148			-178
		Actuarial loss		-1,307			-1,757			-3,064			-1,486			-2,481			-3,967
	Effect of exchange rates on amounts included in
		AOCI		-3,076			0			-3,076			1,007			0			1,007
	Total recognized in other comprehensive
		loss (income)		96			5,470			5,566			-4,205			-8,485			-12,690
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and
		other comprehensive loss (income)	$	5,432		$	6,546		$	11,978		$	1,080		$	-6,784		$	-5,704
						2012
							Foreign			Domestic			Total
		Net loss arising during period				$	13,897		$	4,826		$	18,723
		Recognition of amortization in net periodic benefit cost
		Prior service cost					-30			-82			-112
		Actuarial loss					-590			-2,057			-2,647
		Effect of exchange rates on amounts included in AOCI					809			0			809
		Total recognized in other comprehensive loss					14,086			2,687			16,773
		Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other
		comprehensive loss				$	17,735		$	4,608		$	22,343
					2014			2013			2012
		Net loss (gain) arising during period		$	688		$	-1,331		$	514
		Amortization of actuarial loss in net periodic benefit costs			-65			-32			-115
		Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)			623			-1,363			399
		Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other
			comprehensive loss (income)	$	939		$	-1,112		$	843
Schedule of Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to be Recognized over Next Fiscal Year [Table Text Block]				Pension Plans										Other Postretirement
					Foreign			Domestic			Total			Benefits
		Actuarial loss		$	1,231		$	2,374		$	3,605		$	103
		Prior service (credit) cost			-179			63			-116			0
				$	1,052		$	2,437		$	3,489		$	103
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]										Other Postretirement
				Pension Benefits						Benefits
					2014			2013			2014			2013
		U.S. Plans:
		Discount rate			3.72%			4.48%			3.45%			4.05%
		Rate of compensation increase			3.63%			3.63%			N/A			N/A
		Foreign Plans:
		Discount rate			2.51%			3.84%			N/A			N/A
		Rate of compensation increase			3.05%			3.05%			N/A			N/A
										Other Postretirement
				Pension Benefits						Benefits
					2014			2013			2014			2013
		U.S. Plans:
		Discount rate			4.48%			3.52%			4.05%			3.20%
		Expected long-term return on plan assets			7.85%			8.25%			N/A			N/A
		Rate of compensation increase			3.63%			3.40%			N/A			N/A
		Foreign Plans:
		Discount rate			3.84%			3.94%			N/A			N/A
		Expected long-term return on plan assets			3.67%			3.57%			N/A			N/A
		Rate of compensation increase			3.05%			3.60%			N/A			N/A
					2014			2013
		Health care cost trend rate for next year			6.90%			7.10%
		Rate to which the cost trend rate is assumed to decline (the
			ultimate trend rate)		4.50%			4.50%
		Year that the rate reaches the ultimate trend rate			2027			2027
Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Table Text Block]					1% point			1% point
					Increase			Decrease
		Effect on total service and interest cost		$	21		$	-18
		Effect on postretirement benefit obligations			526			-460
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]					Target			2014			2013
		Asset Category
		U.S. Plans
		Equity securities			61%			66%			66%
		Debt securities			32%			33%			32%
		Other			7%			1%			2%
			Total		100%			100%			100%
		Foreign Plans
		Equity securities and other			22%			22%			19%
		Debt securities			78%			78%			81%
			Total		100%			100%			100%
							Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
				Fair Value as of			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	U.S. Pension Assets			31-Dec-14			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	490		$	490		$	0		$	0
	Large capitalization common stock				14,956			14,956			0			0
	Large capitalization registered investment companies				6,339			6,339			0			0
	Small capitalization common stock				920			920			0			0
	Small capitalization registered investment companies				2,416			2,416			0			0
	International developed and emerging markets registered
		investment companies			5,638			5,638			0			0
	International developed and emerging markets common stock				2,600			2,600			0			0
	Fixed income corporate securities				9,848			0			9,848			0
	Fixed income registered investment companies				4,647			4,647			0			0
	Fixed income U.S. and foreign government securities				406			0			406			0
	Pooled separate accounts				1,429			0			1,429			0
		Total U.S. pension plan assets		$	49,689		$	38,006		$	11,683		$	0
	Foreign Pension Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	76		$	76		$	0		$	0
	Insurance contract				72,417			0			0			72,417
	Diversified equity securities - registered investment companies				6,565			0			6,565			0
	Fixed income - foreign registered investment companies				4,946			0			4,946			0
	Commingled funds				2,041			0			2,041			0
	Real estate - registered investment companies				478			0			0			478
		Total foreign pension assets		$	86,523		$	76		$	13,552		$	72,895
			Total pension assets at fair value	$	136,212		$	38,082		$	25,235		$	72,895
							Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
				Fair Value as of			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
	U.S. Pension Assets			31-Dec-13			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	825		$	825		$	0		$	0
	Large capitalization common stock				14,801			14,801			0			0
	Large capitalization registered investment companies				6,820			6,820			0			0
	Small capitalization common stock				771			771			0			0
	Small capitalization registered investment companies				2,384			2,384			0			0
	International developed and emerging markets registered
		investment companies			5,895			5,895			0			0
	International developed and emerging markets common stock				2,929			2,929			0			0
	Fixed income corporate securities				10,144			0			10,144			0
	Fixed income registered investment companies				4,486			4,486			0			0
	Fixed income U.S. and foreign government securities				192			0			192			0
	Pooled separate accounts				1,403			0			1,403			0
		Total U.S. pension plan assets		$	50,650		$	38,911		$	11,739		$	0
	Foreign Pension Assets
	Cash and cash equivalents			$	5		$	5		$	0		$	0
	Insurance contract				57,175			0			0			57,175
	Diversified equity securities - registered investment companies				6,597			0			6,597			0
	Fixed income - foreign registered investment companies				4,448			0			4,448			0
	Real estate - registered investment companies				434			0			0			434
		Total foreign pension assets		$	68,659		$	5		$	11,045		$	57,609
			Total pension assets at fair value	$	119,309		$	38,916		$	22,784		$	57,609
Schedule of Effect of Significant Unobservable Inputs, Changes in Plan Assets [Table Text Block]						Insurance			Real Estate
						Contract			Fund			Total
		Balance at December 31, 2012			$	51,146		$	388		$	51,534
			Purchases			3,182			0			3,182
			Settlements			-1,607			0			-1,607
			Unrealized gains			2,061			36			2,097
			Currency translation adjustment			2,393			10			2,403
		Balance at December 31, 2013				57,175			434			57,609
			Purchases			3,044			0			3,044
			Settlements			-1,705			0			-1,705
			Unrealized gains			22,802			72			22,874
			Currency translation adjustment			-8,899			-28			-8,927
		Balance at December 31, 2014			$	72,417		$	478		$	72,895
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments [Table Text Block]														Other
				Pension Benefits										Postretirement
					Foreign			Domestic			Total			Benefits
			2015	$	1,789		$	4,590		$	6,379		$	568
			2016		1,953			4,609			6,562			560
			2017		2,202			4,447			6,649			551
			2018		2,346			4,479			6,825			523
			2019		2,758			4,442			7,200			505
			2020 and beyond		17,483			22,178			39,661			2,130

Other_NonCurrent_Liabilities_T

Other Non-Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Other Liabilities Noncurrent [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Assets and Other Liabilities [Table Text Block]			December 31,
			2014		2013
		Restricted insurance settlement	$	23,599	$	25,462
		Uncertain tax positions (includes interest and penalties)		14,607		15,885
		Deferred and other long-term compensation		6,492		5,646
		Other		792		545
		Total	$	45,490	$	47,538

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte1

Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]									Unrealized
			Currency		Defined		Change in		gain (loss) in
			translation		benefit		fair value of		available-for-
			adjustments		pension plans		derivatives		sale securities		Total
	Balance at December 31, 2011		$	4,709	$	-34,260	$	-272	$	856	$	-28,967
		Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		-1,373		-20,045		26		2,181		-19,211
		Amounts reclassified from AOCI		0		2,875		392		-868		2,399
		Related tax amounts		0		4,516		-146		-446		3,924
	Balance at December 31, 2012			3,336		-46,914		0		1,723		-41,855
		Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		-2,184		9,876		0		2,543		10,235
		Amounts reclassified from AOCI		0		4,177		0		-2,758		1,419
		Related tax amounts		0		-4,572		0		73		-4,499
	Balance at December 31, 2013			1,152		-37,433		0		1,581		-34,700
		Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications		-15,464		-9,232		0		2,057		-22,639
		Amounts reclassified from AOCI		0		3,043		0		-2,245		798
		Related tax amounts		0		2,071		0		64		2,135
	Balance at December 31, 2014		$	-14,312	$	-41,551	$	0	$	1,457	$	-54,406

Business_Acquisitions_Tables

Business Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]
		2014 Acquisitions
		Current assets		$	12,406
		Property, plant & equipment			4,158
		Intangibles
			Customer lists and rights to sell		30,924
			Trademarks and patents		12,606
			Other intangibles		1,127
		Goodwill			21,817
		Other long-term assets			198
			Total assets purchased		83,236
		Current liabilities			-4,298
		Long-term liabilities			-4,374
			Total liabilities assumed		-8,672
			Cash paid for acquisitions	$	74,564

Fair_Value_Measurements_Table

Fair Value Measurements (Table)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Assets		31-Dec-14			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Company-owned life insurance		$	1,361		$	0		$	1,361		$	0
	Company-owned life insurance - Deferred compensation assets			310			0			310			0
	Other deferred compensation assets
		Large capitalization registered investment companies		71			71			0			0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		7			7			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		13			13			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			37			37			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		6			6			0			0
	Total		$	1,805		$	134		$	1,671		$	0
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Assets		31-Dec-13			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Company-owned life insurance		$	1,885		$	0		$	1,885		$	0
	Company-owned life insurance - Deferred compensation assets			409			0			409			0
	Other deferred compensation assets
		Large capitalization registered investment companies		74			74			0			0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		6			6			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		13			13			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			40			40			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		7			7			0			0
	Total		$	2,434		$	140		$	2,294		$	0
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Liabilities		31-Dec-14			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Deferred compensation liabilities
		Large capitalization registered investment companies	$	404		$	404		$	0		$	0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		108			108			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		90			90			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			179			179			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		40			40			0			0
		Fixed general account		160			0			160			0
	Total		$	981		$	821		$	160		$	0
						Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
			Fair Value			Using Fair Value Hierarchy
			as of
	Liabilities		31-Dec-13			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	Deferred compensation liabilities
		Large capitalization registered investment companies	$	405		$	405		$	0		$	0
		Mid capitalization registered investment companies		109			109			0			0
		Small capitalization registered investment companies		95			95			0			0
		International developed and emerging markets registered investment
	companies			205			205			0			0
		Fixed income registered investment companies		43			43			0			0
		Fixed general account		167			0			167			0
	Acquisition-related consideration			4,876			0			0			4,876
	Total		$	5,900		$	857		$	167		$	4,876
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
				Summit			Non-competition
				Earnout				Agreement		Total
		Balance at December 31, 2013		$	4,697		$	179		$	4,876
			Interest accretion		12			8			20
			Payments		-4,709			-187			-4,896
		Balance at December 31, 2014		$	0		$	0		$	0

Hedging_Activities_Tables

Hedging Activities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
General Discussion Of Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]				For the Years Ended
				December 31,
				2014		2013		2012
		Amount of Gain Recognized in
		Accumulated OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)		$	0	$	0	$	272
		Amount and Location of Loss Reclassified from
		Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	Interest Expense	$	0	$	0	$	-392
		Amount and Location of Loss Recognized in Income on Derivative
		(Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Other Income	$	0	$	0	$	0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Operating Lease Maturities [Table Text Block]		2015	$	5,301
		2016	$	4,381
		2017	$	2,580
		2018	$	348
		2019	$	217
		2020 and beyond	$	129

Quarterly_Results_Unaudited_Ta

Quarterly Results - Unaudited (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Results (unaudited) [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]				First		Second		Third		Fourth
				Quarter (1)		Quarter (2)		Quarter (3)		Quarter (4)
	2014
		Net sales		$	181,674	$	191,286	$	198,867	$	194,033
		Gross profit			65,114		68,216		70,300		69,576
		Operating income			19,373		20,945		20,553		16,485
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation			12,730		15,427		15,696		12,639
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
			Common Shareholders - Basic	$	0.96	$	1.17	$	1.18	$	0.95
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
			Common Shareholders - Diluted	$	0.96	$	1.16	$	1.18	$	0.95
	2013
		Net sales		$	176,193	$	184,846	$	184,059	$	184,297
		Gross profit			62,608		67,314		65,990		65,163
		Operating income			17,411		19,793		18,807		15,232
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation			13,619		16,083		12,551		14,086
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
			Common Shareholders - Basic	$	1.04	$	1.22	$	0.95	$	1.07
		Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation
			Common Shareholders - Diluted	$	1.04	$	1.22	$	0.95	$	1.07

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Revenue Recognized Under Net Reporting Arrangements	$46,844	$41,553	$39,299
Research and Development Expense	22,134	21,578	19,993
Measurement of Tax Benefit, Minimum Likelihood of the Largest Amount Being Realized Upon Ultimate Settlement	50.00%
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Impact Of Restatement On Opening Retained Earnings Net Of Tax		335
Customer [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Provision for Doubtful Accounts	$825	$0	$1,254
Effect Of Customer Bankruptcies Per Diluted Share	$0.05		$0.06

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies - Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Capitalized Computer Software, Net	1,350	$1,198
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	45 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	10 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	1 year
Software Development [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	5 years
Software Development [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	3 years

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies - Intangible Assets (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	20 years
Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	4 years

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies - Concentration Risk (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Top Five Customers Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	18.00%
Top Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	9.00%

Significant_Accounting_Policie6

Significant Accounting Policies - Share-Based Compensation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity Award Vesting Period	3 years
Forfeiture rate, Nonvested Stock Awards	13.00%
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity Award Vesting Period	3 years
Options, Maximum Exercisable Life	7 years
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity Award Vesting Period	1 year
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity Award Vesting Period	5 years
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity Award Vesting Period	1 year
GAIP Plan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity Award Vesting Period	5 years
GAIP Plan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity Award Vesting Period	2 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity Award Vesting Period	5 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity Award Vesting Period	1 year

Out_Of_Period_Adjustment_Detai

Out Of Period Adjustment (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Accounting Changes And Error Corrections [Abstract]
Immaterial Error Correction	During the first quarter of 2013, the Company identified errors in Primex’s estimated 2012 financial statements, which primarily related to a reinsurance contract held by Primex. The identified errors resulted in a cumulative $1,038 understatement of the Company’s equity in net income from associated companies for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company corrected the errors related to Primex in the first quarter of 2013, which had the net effect of increasing equity in net income from associated companies by $1,038 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company did not believe this adjustment was material to its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 or to the Company’s results for the year ended December 31, 2013 and, therefore, did not restate any prior period amounts.

Segments_Table_Details

Segments Table (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$194,033	$198,867	$191,286	$181,674	$184,297	$184,059	$184,846	$176,193	$765,860	$729,395	$708,226
Operating income for reportable segments	149,024				142,500				149,024	142,500	126,971
Segment assets	665,526				584,146				665,526	584,146	536,634
Capital Expenditures									13,052	11,439	12,735
North America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									334,400	308,353	310,127
Operating income for reportable segments	68,296				61,307				68,296	61,307	58,571
Segment assets	340,385				298,305				340,385	298,305	279,253
Long-Lived Assets	92,319				91,464				92,319	91,464	91,121
Capital Expenditures									3,658	2,793	3,262
Depreciation									5,231	5,236	5,635
Increase (Decrease) In Segment Assets										-5,764	-5,109
North America [Member] | Non Domestic [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									35,532	29,002	27,125
Long-Lived Assets	3,145				3,649				3,145	3,649	3,716
North America [Member] | Intersegment Sales Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									8,001	8,984	10,026
EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									195,309	187,794	174,799
Operating income for reportable segments	32,589				29,643				32,589	29,643	24,640
Segment assets	124,273				103,414				124,273	103,414	101,532
Long-Lived Assets	20,634				20,863				20,634	20,863	20,056
Capital Expenditures									4,811	1,391	3,332
Depreciation									3,069	3,145	2,906
Increase (Decrease) In Segment Assets										-1,360	-627
EMEA [Member] | Intersegment Sales Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									22,321	20,135	15,414
Asia Pacific [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									185,974	169,505	157,062
Operating income for reportable segments	43,847				42,373				43,847	42,373	37,030
Segment assets	170,580				144,682				170,580	144,682	116,853
Long-Lived Assets	24,392				24,695				24,392	24,695	19,720
Capital Expenditures									3,202	6,386	5,451
Depreciation									2,713	2,080	1,720
Increase (Decrease) In Segment Assets										14,788	15,093
Asia Pacific [Member] | Intersegment Sales Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									414	504	321
South America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									50,177	63,743	66,238
Operating income for reportable segments	4,292				9,177				4,292	9,177	6,730
Segment assets	30,288				37,745				30,288	37,745	38,996
Long-Lived Assets	3,911				4,130				3,911	4,130	5,276
Capital Expenditures									1,381	869	690
Depreciation									1,060	1,211	1,333
Increase (Decrease) In Segment Assets										-7,664	-9,357
South America [Member] | Intersegment Sales Elimination [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									0	0	0
Total [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment assets	665,526				584,146				665,526	584,146	536,634
Long-Lived Assets	141,256				141,152				141,256	141,152	136,173
Capital Expenditures									13,052	11,439	12,735
Depreciation									$12,073	$11,672	$11,594

Segments_Reconciliation_Detail

Segments Reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation From Segment Totals To Consolidated Abstract
Operating income for reportable segments	$149,024				$142,500				$149,024	$142,500	$126,971
Non-operating Charges									-67,110	-67,145	-59,983
Depreciation of corporate assets and amortization									-4,558	-4,112	-3,764
Operating income	16,485	20,553	20,945	19,373	15,232	18,807	19,793	17,411	77,356	71,243	63,224
Interest expense									-2,371	-2,922	-4,283
Interest income									2,541	986	592
Other income, net									767	3,519	3,415
Income before taxes and equity in net income of associated companies									$78,293	$72,826	$62,948

Segments_Product_Lines_Details

Segments - Product Lines (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Rolling Lubricants Product Line [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	20.10%	20.70%	20.70%
Machining And Grinding Compounds Product Line [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	16.30%	17.70%	17.60%
Hydraulic Fluids Product Line [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	13.00%	12.90%	13.50%
Corrosion Preventives Product Line [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	12.50%	12.50%	12.40%

Stock_Based_Compensation_Narra

Stock Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Share-based Compensation [Abstract]
Exercised Options, Intrinsic Value	$1,139
Outstanding Options, Intrinsic Value	2,889
Exercisable Options, Intrinsic Value	895
Equity Award Vesting Period	3 years
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
ESPP: Purchase Price Percentage	85.00%
ESPP: Discount from Market Price	15.00%
ESPP: Maximum Ownership of Outstanding Shares	An employee whose stock ownership of the Company exceeds five percent of the outstanding common stock is not eligible to participate in this plan.
Director Stock Ownership Plan Maximum Number of Shares Authorized Under Plan	75,000
Director Stock Ownership Plan Terms	Under the Plan, each director who, on May 1st of the applicable calendar year, owns less than 400% of the annual cash retainer for the applicable calendar year, divided by the average of the closing price of a share of Quaker Common Stock as reported by the composite tape of the New York Stock Exchange for the previous calendar year (the “Threshold Amount”), is required to receive 75% of the annual cash retainer in Quaker common stock and 25% of the retainer in cash, unless the director elects to receive a greater percentage of Quaker common stock (up to 100%) of the annual cash retainer for the applicable year. Each director who owns more than the Threshold Amount may elect to receive common stock in payment of a percentage (up to 100%) of the annual cash retainer.
Director Retainer Annual Fee	50
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
Unrecognized Share-based Compensation Expense, Nonvested Stock Award	4,213
Weighted Average Remaining Life, Nonvested Stock Awards	2 years 3 months
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share Based Compensation [Line Items]
Unrecognized Share-based Compensation Expense, Nonvested Stock Award	$204
Weighted Average Remaining Life, Nonvested Stock Awards	1 year 10 months

Stock_Based_Compensation_Expen

Stock Based Compensation - Expense Table (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock Options Compensation Expense [Member]
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	$663	$517	$542
Nonvested Stock Awards Compensation Expense [Member]
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	2,473	1,900	1,504
Employee Stock Purchase Plan Compensation Expense [Member]
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	73	60	48
Matching Stock Contribution 401 K Plan Compensation Expense [Member]
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	1,975	1,612	1,653
Directors Stock Ownership Plan Compensation Expense [Member]
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	125	72	60
Total Sharebased Compensation Expense [Member]
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	$5,309	$4,161	$3,807

Stock_Based_Compensation_Exces

Stock Based Compensation - Excess Tax Benefits (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation	$453	$815	$2,045
Excess tax benefit from stock option exercises	$453	$815	$2,045

StockBased_Compensation_Option

Stock-Based Compensation - Option Rollforward (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Roll [Forward]
Beginning Balance	75,251	107,455
Options Granted	37,048	29,302
Options Exercised	-25,224	-57,137
Options Forfeited	0	-3,601
Options Expired	0	-768
Ending Balance	87,075	75,251
Options Exerciseable	18,696	11,840
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures And Expirations In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Outstanding at beginning of year	$44.49	$31.23
Options Granted	$73.47	$58.26
Options Exercised	$36.65	$27.12
Options Forfeited	$0	$37.81
Options Expired	$0	$37.37
Outstanding at End of Period	$59.09	$44.49
Options Exerciseable	$44.38	$28.42
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Additional Disclosures [Abstract]
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Outstanding	5 years 2 months	5 years 2 months
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Exercisable	4 years 1 month	3 years 11 months

StockBased_Compensation_Option1

Stock-Based Compensation - Option Summary (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
$0.00 - $10.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$0
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$10
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	0
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	0 years
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$0
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$0
$10.01 - $20.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$10.01
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$20
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	2,367
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	2 years 1 month
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$18.82
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	2,367
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$18.82
$20.01 - $30.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$20.01
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$30
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	0
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	0 years
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$0
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$0
$30.01 - $40.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$30.01
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$40
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	18,296
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	4 years
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$37.96
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	7,230
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$37.71
$40.01 - $50.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$40.01
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$50
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	2,192
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	4 years 6 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$46.21
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	1,462
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$46.21
$50.01 - $60.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$50.01
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$60
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	27,172
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	5 years 2 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$58.26
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	7,637
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$58.26
$60.01 - $70.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$60.01
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$70
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	0
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	0 years
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$0
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$0
$70.01 - $80.00
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit	$70.01
Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit	$80
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	37,048
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	6 years 2 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$73.47
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	0
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$0
Total
Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Number of Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	87,075
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	5 years 2 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding Options, Exercise Price Range	$59.09
Number of Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	18,696
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercisable Options, Exercise Price Range	$44.38

StockBased_Compensation_Option2

Stock-Based Compensation - Options Grants (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Granted		37,048	29,302
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Options Granted	2,192	37,048	29,302	37,965	36,835
Dividend Yield	2.69%	2.00%	2.49%	3.09%	5.00%
Expected Volatility	69.09%	43.34%	57.28%	69.90%	62.13%
Risk-free Interest Rate	0.58%	1.22%	0.63%	0.61%	1.99%
Expected Term (Years)	4 years	4 years	4 years	4 years	5 years

StockBased_Compensation_Option3

Stock-Based Compensation - Option Expense (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Year Stock Option Awards [Member]
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	$227	$0	$0
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, Options	590
Prior Year Stock Option Awards [Member]
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	213	174	0
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, Options	251
Second Prior Year Stock Option Awards [Member]
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	199	189	167
Unrecognized Compensation Expense, Options	41
Third Prior Year Stock Option Awards [Member]
Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Expense	$24	$138	$164

StockBased_Compensation_Restri

Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Rollforward (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	115,984
Nonvested Stock Awards Granted	56,258
Nonvested Stock Awards Vested	-43,897
Nonvested Stock Awards Forfeited	-3,895
Ending Balance	124,450
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards, Beginning of Period	$47.27
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards Granted	$73.95
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards Vested	$41.17
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards Forfeited	$37.01
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards, End of Period	$61.80
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	4,018
Nonvested Stock Awards Granted	3,140
Ending Balance	7,158
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards, Beginning of Period	$49.71
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards Granted	$75.52
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Nonvested Stock Awards, End of Period	$61.03

Other_Income_Expense_Details

Other Income (Expense) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Proceeds From Non Income Tax Refunds	$582	$2,876	$358
Change in Fair Value Estimate	0	497	2,770
Licenses Revenue	1,063	1,027	1,264
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Realized	-1,039	-1,076	-1,034
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	128	382	25
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use	0	-211	0
Other Nonoperating Income	329	247	337
Other Nonoperating Expense	-296	-223	-305
Other Income, Net	$767	$3,519	$3,415

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Exp

Income Taxes - Components of Expense and Earnings (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
Federal	$8,086	$7,216	$3,318
State	796	263	-69
Foreign	13,650	13,040	9,972
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	22,532	20,519	13,221
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
Federal	2,548	155	4,409
State	57	138	-794
Foreign	-1,598	-323	-1,261
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	23,539	20,489	15,575
Components Of Earnings Before Taxes [Abstract]
Domestic	32,391	25,900	26,520
Foreign	45,902	46,926	36,428
Income before taxes and equity in net income of associated companies	$78,293	$72,826	$62,948

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Bala

Income Taxes - Deferred Tax Balances (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current [Member]
Retirement benefits	$568	$585
Allowance for doubtful accounts	2,237	1,990
Insurance and litigation reserves	615	677
Postretirement benefits	0	0
Supplemental retirement benefits	0	0
Performance incentives	3,821	3,858
Equity-based compensation	353	351
Alternative minimum tax carryforward	0	0
Insurance settlement	0	6
Operating loss carryforward	0	0
Uncertain tax positions	0	0
Interest rate swaps and other	1,293	975
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total	8,887	8,442
Valuation allowance	-900	-924
Total deferred income tax assets, net	7,987	7,518
Depreciation	0	0
Europe Pension and Other	0	0
Amortization and other	353	749
Total deferred income tax liabilities	353	749
Non Current [Member]
Retirement benefits	11,179	9,371
Allowance for doubtful accounts	0	0
Insurance and litigation reserves	245	126
Postretirement benefits	2,137	1,951
Supplemental retirement benefits	3,448	3,010
Performance incentives	884	686
Equity-based compensation	939	585
Alternative minimum tax carryforward	0	0
Insurance settlement	8,429	9,071
Operating loss carryforward	8,657	9,228
Uncertain tax positions	4,313	5,806
Interest rate swaps and other	780	888
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross, Total	41,011	40,722
Valuation allowance	-6,445	-6,742
Total deferred income tax assets, net	34,566	33,980
Depreciation	4,616	4,712
Europe Pension and Other	1,654	2,343
Amortization and other	12,468	8,930
Total deferred income tax liabilities	$18,738	$15,985

Income_Taxes_Valuation_Allowan

Income Taxes - Valuation Allowance Rollforward (Details) (Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Valuation Allowances, Beginning Balance	$7,666	$7,858	$1,377
Additional Valuation Allowance	5	26	6,594
Allowance Utilization and Other	-105	-1	-34
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes	-221	-217	-79
Valuation Allowance, Ending Balance	$7,345	$7,666	$7,858

Income_Taxes_Net_Deferred_Bala

Income Taxes - Net Deferred Balances (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Taxes on Income and Uncertain Tax Positions [Abstract]
Current deferred tax assets	$8,367	$7,826
Deferred Tax Assets Net Noncurrent	24,411	24,724
Current deferred tax liabilities	732	1,057
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	8,584	6,729
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Total	$23,462	$24,764

Income_Taxes_Rate_Reconciliati

Income Taxes - Rate Reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Income Tax Reconciliation [Abstract]
Income Tax Provision at the Federal Statutory Tax Rate	$27,402	$25,489	$22,032
Differences in Tax Rates on Foreign Earnings and Remittances	-3,025	-2,487	-3,207
Foreign Dividends	3,278	1,922	815
Excess Foreign Tax Credit Utilization	-5,011	-3,664	-2,237
Research and Development Activities Credit Utilization	-226	-200	0
Uncertain Tax Positions	263	-589	-1,196
Domestic Production Activities Deduction	-567	-560	-402
State Income Tax Provisions, Net	517	171	-45
Non-deductible Entertainment and Business Meals Expense	278	229	200
Miscellaneous Items, Net	630	178	-385
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total	$23,539	$20,489	$15,575

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries	$197,000
Domestic Country [Member]
Deferred Tax Assets, Net	9,928
Foreign Tax Authority [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	11,716
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Valuation Allowance	1,305
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Expiration In Next Year [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	165
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Expiration In Year Two [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	178
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Expiration In Year Three [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	230
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Expiration In Year Four [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	663
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Expiration In Year Five [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	490
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Expiration In Year Six [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	108
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Expiration In Year Seven [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	238
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Expiration In Year Eight [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	171
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Expiration In Year Nine [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	7
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Expiration In Year Ten [Member]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$73

Income_Taxes_Uncertain_Tax_Pos

Income Taxes - Uncertain Tax Positions - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2011
Uncertain Tax Positions [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$11,845	$12,596	$12,410		$12,719
Accrued Interest	1,868	2,108
Accrued Penalties	1,845	2,100
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Expense	-31	-247	-26
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Expense	-26	392	301
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Lower Bound				1,900
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Upper Bound				2,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$1,066	$1,194	$1,652
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2011
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | The Netherlands [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2008
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | United Kingdom [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2009
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Brazil [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2000
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Spain [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2010
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | China [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2010
Foreign Tax Authority [Member] | Italy [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	2007
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Income Tax Examination [Line Items]
Income Tax Examination, Year under Examination	1993

Income_Taxes_Uncertain_Tax_Pos1

Income Taxes - Uncertain Tax Positions - Tabular Reconciliation (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance	$12,596	$12,410	$12,719
Increase (decrease) in Unrecognized Tax Benefits Taken in Prior Periods	-93	83	0
(Decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits taken in prior periods	0	0	-411
Increase in Unrecognized Tax Benefits Taken in Current Period	2,678	2,182	1,733
(Decrease) in Unrecognized Tax Benefits Due to Lapse of Statute of Limitations	-2,078	-2,485	-1,837
Increase (Decrease) Due to Foreign Exchange Rates	-1,258	406	206
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance	$11,845	$12,596	$12,410

Earnings_Per_Share_Basic_Detai

Earnings Per Share - Basic (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$12,639	$15,696	$15,427	$12,730	$14,086	$12,551	$16,083	$13,619	$56,492	$56,339	$47,405
Less: Income Allocated to Participating Securities									-503	-481	-526
Net income available to common shareholders									$55,989	$55,858	$46,879
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding									13,126,759	13,044,842	12,871,703
Basic earnings per common share	$0.95	$1.18	$1.17	$0.96	$1.07	$0.95	$1.22	$1.04	$4.27	$4.28	$3.64

Earnings_Per_Share_Diluted_Det

Earnings Per Share - Diluted (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$12,639	$15,696	$15,427	$12,730	$14,086	$12,551	$16,083	$13,619	$56,492	$56,339	$47,405
Less: income allocated to participating securities									-503	-481	-524
Net income available to common shareholders									$55,989	$55,858	$46,881
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding									13,126,759	13,044,842	12,871,703
Effect of Dilutive Securities									21,309	24,770	58,798
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding									13,148,068	13,069,612	12,930,501
Diluted earnings per common share	$0.95	$1.18	$1.16	$0.96	$1.07	$0.95	$1.22	$1.04	$4.26	$4.27	$3.63

Earnings_Per_Share_Antidilutiv

Earnings Per Share - Antidilutive Shares (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Shares	4,714	2,863	4,417

Accounts_Receivable_Narrative_

Accounts Receivable - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Abstract]
Accounts Receivable Gross Current	$195,982	$172,762
Accounts Receivable Greater Than 90 Days Past Due	10,149	11,345
Business Combination, Acquired Receivables, Estimated Uncollectible	$77	$0	$416

Allowance_For_Doubtful_Account

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts - Rollforward (Details) (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$7,133	$6,399	$4,569
Charged to Costs and Expenses	-264	1,136	2,072
Write-Offs Charged to Allowance	-296	-407	-737
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes	-75	5	495
Ending Balance	$6,498	$7,133	$6,399

Inventory_Details

Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]
Raw Materials And Supplies	$37,961	$37,063
Work-In-Process and Finished Goods	39,747	34,494
Inventories	$77,708	$71,557

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_D

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property Plant And Equipment Gross Abstract
Land	$7,962	$8,510
Building and Improvements	78,911	80,644
Machinery and Equipment	142,102	136,549
Construction In Progress	5,541	8,162
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Total	234,516	233,865
Less: Accumulated Depreciation	-148,753	-148,377
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	$85,763	$85,488

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_N

Property, Plant and Equipment - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Capital Leased Assets Gross	$656	$793
Accumulated Depreciation, Leased Assets	$455	$380

Property_Plant_and_Equipment_C

Property, Plant and Equipment - Capital Leases (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments Present Value Of Net Minimum Payments Abstract
Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments, Due Current	$84
Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments, Due In Two Years	68
Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments, Due In Three Years	59
Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments, Due In Four Years	0
Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments, Due In Five Years	0
Capital Leases Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter	0
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Total	211
Less: Amount Representing Interest	-10
Present Value of Net Minimum Lease Payments	$201

Goodwill_Assets_Details

Goodwill Assets (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill Roll Forward
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$58,151	$59,169
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	21,817	277
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-2,035	-1,295
Goodwill, Ending Balance	77,933	58,151
North America [Member]
Goodwill Roll Forward
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	28,127	28,535
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	14,612	277
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-62	-685
Goodwill, Ending Balance	42,677	28,127
EMEA [Member]
Goodwill Roll Forward
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	11,184	11,411
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	6,130	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-1,264	-227
Goodwill, Ending Balance	16,050	11,184
Asia Pacific [Member]
Goodwill Roll Forward
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	15,018	15,323
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	1,075	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-87	-305
Goodwill, Ending Balance	16,006	15,018
South America [Member]
Goodwill Roll Forward
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	3,822	3,900
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	-622	-78
Goodwill, Ending Balance	$3,200	$3,822

Intangible_Assets_Details

Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Gross [Abstract]
Finite Lived Customer Lists, Gross	$63,502	$33,559
Finite Lived Trademarks, Gross	18,944	6,838
Formulations And Product Technology	5,808	5,808
Other Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	6,647	5,544
Total	94,901	51,749
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization [Abstract]
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Customer Lists	12,681	10,221
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Trademarks	4,066	3,202
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Formulations	3,896	3,709
Finite Lived Intangible Assets Accumulated Amortization Other	4,950	4,445
Total	25,593	21,577
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
For the Year ended December 31, 2015	6,807
For the Year ended December 31, 2016	6,334
For the Year ended December 31, 2017	5,877
For the Year ended December 31, 2018	5,654
For the Year ended December 31, 2019	5,574
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill [Abstract]
Indefinite Lived Trademarks	$1,100	$1,100

Intangible_Assets_Amortization

Intangible Assets - Amortization (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Amortization	$4,325	$3,445	$3,106

Investment_in_Associated_Compa1

Investment in Associated Companies - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments			$21,751	$19,397
Immaterial Error Correction	During the first quarter of 2013, the Company identified errors in Primex’s estimated 2012 financial statements, which primarily related to a reinsurance contract held by Primex. The identified errors resulted in a cumulative $1,038 understatement of the Company’s equity in net income from associated companies for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company corrected the errors related to Primex in the first quarter of 2013, which had the net effect of increasing equity in net income from associated companies by $1,038 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and the year ended December 31, 2013. The Company did not believe this adjustment was material to its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012 or to the Company’s results for the year ended December 31, 2013 and, therefore, did not restate any prior period amounts.
Nippon Quaker (Japan) [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage			50.00%
Nippon Quaker (Japan) [Member] | Asia Pacific [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments			4,854
Kelko (Venezuela) [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage			50.00%
Currency Conversion Adjustment	357	321
Effect Of Currency Conversion Per Diluted Share	0.03	$0.02
Kelko (Venezuela) [Member] | South America [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments			2,285
Kelko (Panama) [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage			50.00%
Kelko (Panama) [Member] | South America [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments			231
Primex (Barbados) [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage			33.00%
Amount of Immaterial Misstatement	1,038
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	2,000
Primex (Barbados) [Member] | Revenue [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Amount of Immaterial Misstatement	4,905
Primex (Barbados) [Member] | Income Before Income Taxes [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Amount of Immaterial Misstatement	5,240
Primex (Barbados) [Member] | Equity Affiliate Net Income [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Amount of Immaterial Misstatement	3,422
Primex (Barbados) [Member] | North America [Member]
Schedule Of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments			$14,381

Investments_in_Associated_Comp1

Investments in Associated Companies - Summarized Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Manufacturing And Services [Member]
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Abstract
Current Assets	$27,679	$28,363
Non-current Assets	1,105	717
Current Liabilities	13,648	13,974
Non-current Liabilities	397	501
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	48,834	47,226	55,963
Gross Profit	15,698	16,096	18,480
Income Before Income Taxes	3,546	3,687	3,170
Net Income	2,263	2,142	2,118
Captive Insurance Company [Member]
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Abstract
Total Assets	109,259	106,450
Total Liabilities	59,773	63,938
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	10,755	20,895	8,473
Income Before Income Taxes	10,929	25,625	8,901
Net Income	$7,352	$16,876	$6,031

Other_Assets_Details

Other Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Assets [Abstract]
Restricted Insurance Settlement	$23,599	$25,462
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets	779	894
Supplemental Retirement Income Program	1,361	1,885
Uncertain Tax Positions	5,516	4,677
Other Assets, Miscellaneous, Noncurrent	2,487	3,349
Total	$33,742	$36,267

Other_Assets_Narrative_Details

Other Assets - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Assets [Abstract]
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Terms	Previously, an inactive subsidiary of the Company executed separate settlement and release agreements with two of its insurance carriers for $35,000, of which $23,599 remains. The proceeds of both settlements are restricted and can only be used to pay claims and costs of defense associated with the subsidiary’s asbestos litigation.
Interest Earned, Restricted Cash	$44	$52
Payments Made, Restricted Cash	($1,907)	($988)	($1,391)

Other_Current_Liabilities_Deta

Other Current Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Current Liabilities [Abstract]
Non-Income Taxes	$7,717	$7,658
Present Value of Acquisition-Related Liabilities	246	4,797
Professional Fees	1,638	2,007
Selling Expenses	3,352	4,266
Legal	754	960
Freight	1,547	1,914
Income Taxes Payable	4,210	5,216
Other Accrued Liabilities, Current	4,233	3,767
Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total	$23,697	$30,585

Other_Current_Liabilities_Narr

Other Current Liabilities - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Paid	$4,709	$0	$0
TQM [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Paid			2,000
GW Smith [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent Consideration Paid			$1,000

Debt_Table_Details

Debt - Table (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt [Abstract]
Industrial development authority monthly 5.6% fixed rate demand bonds maturing 2018	$5,000	$5,000
Industrial development authority monthly 5.26% fixed rate demand bonds maturing 2028	10,000	10,000
Credit facilities (1.16% weighted average borrowing rate at December 31, 2014)	58,421	0
Ohio Department of Development Term Loan	2,109	2,428
Other debt obligations (including capital leases)	201	1,288
Debt And Capital Lease Obligations	75,731	18,716
Short-term Debt	0	-945
Current portion of long-term debt	-403	-450
Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations	$75,328	$17,321

Debt_Parentheticals_Details

Debt - Parentheticals (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Line Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	1.16%
Montgomery County Industrial Development Authority Bond [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage	5.60%
Debt Instrument Maturity Year	2018
Butler County Port Authority Bond [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage	5.26%
Debt Instrument Maturity Year	2028

Debt_Maturity_Schedules_Detail

Debt - Maturity Schedules (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Long Term Debt By Maturity Abstract
2015	$403
2016	395
2017	396
2018	63,765
2019	350
2020 and Beyond	$10,422

Debt_Narrative_Details

Debt - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ohio Department of Development Term Loan	$2,109	$2,428
Line of Credit, Current Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	300,000
Line Of Credit Facility Maximum Borrowing Capacity	400,000
Line Of Credit Maturity Date	2018-06
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Compliance	As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio was below 1.0 to 1 and the Company was also in compliance with all of the facilities’ other covenants
Line of Credit Facility, Covenant Terms	The maximum amount available under this facility can be increased to $400,000 at the Company’s option if the lenders agree and the Company satisfies certain conditions. Access to this facility is dependent on meeting certain financial, acquisition and other covenants, but primarily depends on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio calculation, which cannot exceed 3.50 to 1.
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate	1.16%
Ohio Department Of Development [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument Maturity Year	2021
Ohio Department of Development Term Loan	$3,500
Principal Repayment Commencement Date	2010-09
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage	2.00%
Debt Instrument Interest Rate Stated Percentage In Year Five	3.00%

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Funded Status Rollforward (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Current Liabilities	($1,239)	($1,438)
Non-current Liabilities	-46,088	-37,006
Domestic [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year	66,369	70,407
Service Cost	250	299	460
Interest Cost	2,823	2,437	2,803
Employee Contributions	0	0
Effect of Plan Amendments	0	0
Benefits Paid	-4,589	-4,516
Plan Expenses and Premiums Paid	-250	-225
Transfer In of Business Acquisition	0	0
Actuarial Loss	6,064	-2,033
Translation Difference and Other	0	0
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	70,667	66,369	70,407
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	50,650	45,991
Actual Return on Plan Assets	2,591	7,487
Employer Contributions	1,287	1,913
Employee Contributions	0	0
Benefits Paid	-4,589	-4,516
Plan Expenses and Premiums Paid	-250	-225
Transfer In of Business Acquisition	0	0
Translation Difference	0	0
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	49,689	50,650	45,991
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	-20,978	-15,719
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Current Liabilities	-577	-589
Non-current Liabilities	-20,401	-15,130
Net Amount Recognized	-20,978	-15,719
Amounts Not Yet Reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Service Cost	-248	-311
Accumulated Loss	-33,125	-27,593
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	-33,373	-27,904
Cumulative Employer Contributions In Excess Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	12,395	12,185
Net Amount Recognized	-20,978	-15,719
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year	85,745	81,280
Service Cost	2,626	2,864	2,004
Interest Cost	3,210	3,150	3,020
Employee Contributions	89	111
Effect of Plan Amendments	242	-2,138
Benefits Paid	-1,985	-1,853
Plan Expenses and Premiums Paid	-361	-367
Transfer In of Business Acquisition	2,818	0
Actuarial Loss	26,412	-566
Translation Difference and Other	-11,969	3,264
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	106,827	85,745	81,280
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	68,659	60,909
Actual Return on Plan Assets	23,981	3,237
Employer Contributions	3,778	3,947
Employee Contributions	89	111
Benefits Paid	-1,985	-1,853
Plan Expenses and Premiums Paid	-361	-367
Transfer In of Business Acquisition	2,093	0
Translation Difference	-9,731	2,675
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	86,523	68,659	60,909
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	-20,304	-17,086
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Current Liabilities	-94	-242
Non-current Liabilities	-20,210	-16,844
Net Amount Recognized	-20,304	-17,086
Amounts Not Yet Reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Service Cost	2,306	2,105
Accumulated Loss	-27,486	-27,188
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	-25,180	-25,083
Cumulative Employer Contributions In Excess Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	4,876	7,997
Net Amount Recognized	-20,304	-17,086
Total Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year	152,114	151,687
Service Cost	2,876	3,163	2,464
Interest Cost	6,033	5,587	5,823
Employee Contributions	89	111
Effect of Plan Amendments	242	-2,138
Benefits Paid	-6,574	-6,369
Plan Expenses and Premiums Paid	-611	-592
Transfer In of Business Acquisition	2,818	0
Actuarial Loss	32,476	-2,599
Translation Difference and Other	-11,969	3,264
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	177,494	152,114	151,687
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	119,309	106,900
Actual Return on Plan Assets	26,572	10,724
Employer Contributions	5,065	5,860
Employee Contributions	89	111
Benefits Paid	-6,574	-6,369
Plan Expenses and Premiums Paid	-611	-592
Transfer In of Business Acquisition	2,093	0
Translation Difference	-9,731	2,675
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	136,212	119,309	106,900
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	-41,282	-32,805
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Current Liabilities	-671	-831
Non-current Liabilities	-40,611	-31,974
Net Amount Recognized	-41,282	-32,805
Amounts Not Yet Reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Service Cost	2,058	1,794
Accumulated Loss	-60,611	-54,781
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	-58,553	-52,987
Cumulative Employer Contributions In Excess Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	17,271	20,182
Net Amount Recognized	-41,282	-32,805
Domestic Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit Obligation at Beginning of Year	5,639	7,317
Service Cost	19	34	283
Interest Cost	232	185	46
Employee Contributions	0	0
Effect of Plan Amendments	0	0
Benefits Paid	-533	-566
Plan Expenses and Premiums Paid	0	0
Transfer In of Business Acquisition	0	0
Actuarial Loss	688	-1,331
Translation Difference and Other	0	0
Benefit Obligation at End of Year	6,045	5,639	7,317
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	0	0
Actual Return on Plan Assets	0	0
Employer Contributions	533	566
Employee Contributions	0	0
Benefits Paid	-533	-566
Plan Expenses and Premiums Paid	0	0
Transfer In of Business Acquisition	0	0
Translation Difference	0	0
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	0	0	0
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan	-6,045	-5,639
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Current Liabilities	-568	-607
Non-current Liabilities	-5,477	-5,032
Net Amount Recognized	-6,045	-5,639
Amounts Not Yet Reflected in Net Periodic Benefit Costs and Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Service Cost	0	0
Accumulated Loss	-1,368	-745
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	-1,368	-745
Cumulative Employer Contributions In Excess Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	-4,677	-4,894
Net Amount Recognized	($6,045)	($5,639)

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme1

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Information About Accumulated and Projected Benefit Obligations In Excess of Plan Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Projected Benefit Obligation	$177,494	$152,114
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	175,431	150,374
Fair Value of Plan Assets	136,212	119,309
Defined Benefit Plan, Plans with Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Projected Benefit Obligation	177,494	152,114
Fair Value of Plan Assets	136,212	119,309
Domestic [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Projected Benefit Obligation	70,667	66,369
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	70,667	66,369
Fair Value of Plan Assets	49,689	50,650
Defined Benefit Plan, Plans with Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Projected Benefit Obligation	70,667	66,369
Fair Value of Plan Assets	49,689	50,650
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Projected Benefit Obligation	106,827	85,745
Accumulated Benefit Obligation	104,764	84,005
Fair Value of Plan Assets	86,523	68,659
Defined Benefit Plan, Plans with Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Projected Benefit Obligation	106,827	85,745
Fair Value of Plan Assets	$86,523	$68,659

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme2

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Changes in Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Domestic [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service Cost	$250	$299	$460
Interest Cost	2,823	2,437	2,803
Expected Return on Plan Assets	-3,817	-3,664	-3,481
Actuarial Loss Amortization	1,757	2,481	2,057
Prior Service Cost Amortization	63	148	82
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	1,076	1,701	1,921
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net (Gain) Loss Arising During The Period	7,290	-5,856	4,826
Effect of Plan Amendment	0	0
Prior Service Cost Amortization	-63	-148	-82
Actuarial Loss Amortization	-1,757	-2,481	-2,057
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes	0	0	0
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss	5,470	-8,485	2,687
Total Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost And Other Comprehensive Loss Or (Income)	6,546	-6,784	4,608
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service Cost	2,626	2,864	2,004
Interest Cost	3,210	3,150	3,020
Expected Return on Plan Assets	-2,543	-2,245	-1,995
Actuarial Loss Amortization	1,307	1,486	590
Prior Service Cost Amortization	736	30	30
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	5,336	5,285	3,649
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net (Gain) Loss Arising During The Period	4,973	-1,558	13,897
Effect of Plan Amendment	242	-2,138
Prior Service Cost Amortization	-736	-30	-30
Actuarial Loss Amortization	-1,307	-1,486	-590
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes	-3,076	1,007	809
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss	96	-4,205	14,086
Total Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost And Other Comprehensive Loss Or (Income)	5,432	1,080	17,735
Total Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service Cost	2,876	3,163	2,464
Interest Cost	6,033	5,587	5,823
Expected Return on Plan Assets	-6,360	-5,909	-5,476
Actuarial Loss Amortization	3,064	3,967	2,647
Prior Service Cost Amortization	799	178	112
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	6,412	6,986	5,570
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net (Gain) Loss Arising During The Period	12,263	-7,414	18,723
Effect of Plan Amendment	242	-2,138
Prior Service Cost Amortization	-799	-178	-112
Actuarial Loss Amortization	-3,064	-3,967	-2,647
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes	-3,076	1,007	809
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss	5,566	-12,690	16,773
Total Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost And Other Comprehensive Loss Or (Income)	11,978	-5,704	22,343
Domestic Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Service Cost	19	34	283
Interest Cost	232	185	46
Actuarial Loss Amortization	65	32	115
Net Periodic Benefit Cost	316	251	444
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Abstract]
Net (Gain) Loss Arising During The Period	688	-1,331	514
Actuarial Loss Amortization	-65	-32	-115
Total Recognized in Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss	623	-1,363	399
Total Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost And Other Comprehensive Loss Or (Income)	$939	($1,112)	$843

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme3

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Amounts to be Amortized From AOCI Over Next Fiscal Year (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actuarial Loss	$3,605
Prior Service Cost	-116
Total	3,489
Domestic [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actuarial Loss	2,374
Prior Service Cost	63
Total	2,437
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actuarial Loss	1,231
Prior Service Cost	-179
Total	1,052
Domestic Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Actuarial Loss	103
Prior Service Cost	0
Total	$103

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme4

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Assumptions Used in Determining Benefit Obligations and Net Periodic Pension Costs (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
Health Care Cost Trend Rate For Next Year	6.90%	7.10%
Rate to Which the Cost Trend Rate is Assumed to Decline (Ultimate Trend Rate)	4.50%	4.50%
Year that Rate Reaches Ultimate Trend Rate	2027	2027
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Service and Interest Cost Components	$21
Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation	526
Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Service and Interest Cost Components	-18
Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation	($460)
Domestic [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount Rate	3.72%	4.48%
Rate of Compensation Increase	3.63%	3.63%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount Rate	4.48%	3.52%
Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets	7.85%	8.25%
Rate of Compensation Increase	3.63%	3.40%
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount Rate	2.51%	3.84%
Rate of Compensation Increase	3.05%	3.05%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount Rate	3.84%	3.94%
Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets	3.67%	3.57%
Rate of Compensation Increase	3.05%	3.60%
Domestic Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Discount Rate	3.45%	4.05%
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Discount Rate	4.05%	3.20%

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme5

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Asset Allocations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Domestic [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Plan Asset Allocations	100.00%
Actual Plan Asset Allocations	100.00%	100.00%
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Plan Asset Allocations	61.00%
Actual Plan Asset Allocations	66.00%	66.00%
Domestic [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Plan Asset Allocations	32.00%
Actual Plan Asset Allocations	33.00%	32.00%
Domestic [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Plan Asset Allocations	7.00%
Actual Plan Asset Allocations	1.00%	2.00%
Percentage of Domestic Pension Assets	1.00%	2.00%
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Plan Asset Allocations	100.00%
Actual Plan Asset Allocations	100.00%	100.00%
Foreign [Member] | Equity Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Plan Asset Allocations	22.00%
Actual Plan Asset Allocations	22.00%	19.00%
Foreign [Member] | Debt Securities [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Target Plan Asset Allocations	78.00%
Actual Plan Asset Allocations	78.00%	81.00%

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme6

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Fair Value Hierarchy - Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	$136,212	$119,309
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	38,082	38,916
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	25,235	22,784
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	72,895	57,609	51,534
Insurance Contract [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	72,417	57,175	51,146
Real Estate Fund [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	478	434	388
Domestic [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	49,689	50,650	45,991
Domestic [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	49,689	50,650
Domestic [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	38,006	38,911
Domestic [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	11,683	11,739
Domestic [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	490	825
Domestic [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	490	825
Domestic [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities Large Cap [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	14,956	14,801
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities Large Cap [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	14,956	14,801
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities Large Cap [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities Large Cap [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Equity Funds Large Cap [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	6,339	6,820
Domestic [Member] | Equity Funds Large Cap [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	6,339	6,820
Domestic [Member] | Equity Funds Large Cap [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Equity Funds Large Cap [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities Small Cap [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	920	771
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities Small Cap [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	920	771
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities Small Cap [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities Small Cap [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Equity Funds Small Cap [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,416	2,384
Domestic [Member] | Equity Funds Small Cap [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,416	2,384
Domestic [Member] | Equity Funds Small Cap [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Equity Funds Small Cap [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Equity Funds International Developed And Emerging Markets [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	5,638	5,895
Domestic [Member] | Equity Funds International Developed And Emerging Markets [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	5,638	5,895
Domestic [Member] | Equity Funds International Developed And Emerging Markets [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Equity Funds International Developed And Emerging Markets [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities International Developed And Emerging Markets [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,600	2,929
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities International Developed And Emerging Markets [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,600	2,929
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities International Developed And Emerging Markets [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Equity Securities International Developed And Emerging Markets [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	9,848	10,144
Domestic [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	9,848	10,144
Domestic [Member] | Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	4,647	4,486
Domestic [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	4,647	4,486
Domestic [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Domestic And Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	406	192
Domestic [Member] | Domestic And Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Domestic And Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	406	192
Domestic [Member] | Domestic And Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Pooled Separate Accounts [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,429	1,403
Domestic [Member] | Pooled Separate Accounts [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Domestic [Member] | Pooled Separate Accounts [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	1,429	1,403
Domestic [Member] | Pooled Separate Accounts [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	86,523	68,659	60,909
Foreign [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	86,523	68,659
Foreign [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	76	5
Foreign [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	13,552	11,045
Foreign [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	72,895	57,609
Foreign [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	76	5
Foreign [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	76	5
Foreign [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] | Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	4,946	4,448
Foreign [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	4,946	4,448
Foreign [Member] | Fixed Income Funds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] | Insurance Contract [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	72,417	57,175
Foreign [Member] | Insurance Contract [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] | Insurance Contract [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] | Insurance Contract [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	72,417	57,175
Foreign [Member] | Equity Funds Diversified [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	6,565	6,597
Foreign [Member] | Equity Funds Diversified [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] | Equity Funds Diversified [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	6,565	6,597
Foreign [Member] | Equity Funds Diversified [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] | Real Estate Fund [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	478	434
Foreign [Member] | Real Estate Fund [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] | Real Estate Fund [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0	0
Foreign [Member] | Real Estate Fund [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	478	434
Foreign [Member] | Commingled Funds [Member] | Total Defined Benefit Plan Assets [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,041
Foreign [Member] | Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	0
Foreign [Member] | Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	2,041
Foreign [Member] | Commingled Funds [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets	$0

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme7

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Level 3 Asset Rollforward (Details) (Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	$57,609	$51,534
Purchases	3,044	3,182
Settlements	-1,705	-1,607
Unrealized Gains	22,874	2,097
Translation Difference	-8,927	2,403
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	72,895	57,609
Insurance Contract [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	57,175	51,146
Purchases	3,044	3,182
Settlements	-1,705	-1,607
Unrealized Gains	22,802	2,061
Translation Difference	-8,899	2,393
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	72,417	57,175
Real Estate Fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Fair Value of Plan Assets at Beginning of Year	434	388
Purchases	0	0
Settlements	0	0
Unrealized Gains	72	36
Translation Difference	-28	10
Fair Value of Plan Assets at End of Year	$478	$434

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme8

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Cash Flow (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Minimum Cash Contributions, Next Fiscal Year	$4,176
Expected Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	6,379
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Two	6,562
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Three	6,649
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Four	6,825
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Five	7,200
Expected Benefit Payments, Thereafter	39,661
Domestic [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Minimum Cash Contributions, Next Fiscal Year	1,277
Expected Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	4,590
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Two	4,609
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Three	4,447
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Four	4,479
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Five	4,442
Expected Benefit Payments, Thereafter	22,178
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Minimum Cash Contributions, Next Fiscal Year	2,899
Expected Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	1,789
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Two	1,953
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Three	2,202
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Four	2,346
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Five	2,758
Expected Benefit Payments, Thereafter	17,483
Domestic Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Minimum Cash Contributions, Next Fiscal Year	568
Expected Benefit Payments, Next Twelve Months	568
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Two	560
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Three	551
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Four	523
Expected Benefit Payments, Year Five	505
Expected Benefit Payments, Thereafter	$2,130

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme9

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits [Abstract]
Value of Employer Securities Included in Plan Assets		$920	$771
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated Benefit Obligation		175,431	150,374
Description of Defined Contribution Plan		The Company has a 401(k) plan with an employer match covering a majority of its domestic employees. The plan allows for and the Company has paid a nonelective contribution on behalf of participants who have completed one year of service equal to 3% of the eligible participants’ compensation in the form of Company common stock.
Non-elective Match Percentage		3.00%
Total Contribution Amount		2,498	2,027	1,703
Domestic [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated Benefit Obligation		70,667	66,369
Net Periodic Benefit Cost		1,076	1,701	1,921
Foreign [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Accumulated Benefit Obligation		104,764	84,005
Commingled Fund Asset Allocation		Investments in the foreign pension plan commingled funds represent pooled institutional investments, including primarily investment trusts. They include approximately 60 percent of investments in equity, 31 percent of investments in fixed income, and 9 percent of other non-related investments as of December 31, 2014.
Net Periodic Benefit Cost		5,336	5,285	3,649
UK Pension Plan Amendment	902
Domestic Other Postretirement Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Periodic Benefit Cost		316	251	444
Supplemental Retirement Benefits Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Net Periodic Benefit Cost		$826	$811	$700
Company Stock [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Percentage of Domestic Pension Assets		2.00%	1.00%

Other_Noncurrent_Liabilities_D

Other Noncurrent Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Noncurrent [Abstract]
Restricted Insurance Settlements	$23,599	$25,462
Uncertain Tax Positions (Includes Interest and Penalties)	14,607	15,885
Present Value of Acquisition-Related Liabilities	0	0
Deferred And Other Long-Term Compensation	6,492	5,646
Other	792	545
Total	$45,490	$47,538

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte2

Equity and Noncontrolling Interest - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock Shares Authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common Stock Par Value	1	1
Common Stock Shares, Issued	13,300,891	13,196,140
Shares issued for equity based comp plans	80,012
Shares issued for ESPP	6,367
Shares issued for Options exercise and Other activity	18,372
Common Stock Voting Rights	Holders of record of the Company’s common stock for a period of less than 36 consecutive calendar months or less are entitled to one vote per share of common stock. Holders of record of the Company’s common stock for a period greater than 36 consecutive calendar months are entitled to 10 votes per share of common stock.
Preferred Stock Shares Authorized	10,000,000
Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share	1
Cost of Sales [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	30.00%	30.00%	30.00%
Operating Expense [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	70.00%	70.00%	70.00%

Equity_and_Noncontrolling_Inte3

Equity and Noncontrolling Interest - AOCI Reclassifications (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	($34,700)	($41,855)	($28,967)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	-22,639	10,235	-19,211
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	798	1,419	2,399
Related Tax Amount	2,135	-4,499	3,924
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	-54,406	-34,700	-41,855
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	1,152	3,336	4,709
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	-15,464	-2,184	-1,373
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	0	0	0
Related Tax Amount	0	0	0
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	-14,312	1,152	3,336
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	-37,433	-46,914	-34,260
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	-9,232	9,876	-20,045
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	3,043	4,177	2,875
Related Tax Amount	2,071	-4,572	4,516
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	-41,551	-37,433	-46,914
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	0	0	-272
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	0	0	26
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	0	0	392
Related Tax Amount	0	0	-146
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	0	0	0
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance	1,581	1,723	856
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	2,057	2,543	2,181
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	-2,245	-2,758	-868
Related Tax Amount	64	73	-446
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance	$1,457	$1,581	$1,723

Business_Acquisitions_Table_De

Business Acquisitions - Table (Details)

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2010

Sep. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Sep. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Summit [Member]

TQM [Member]

GW Smith [Member]

NPCoil Dexter [Member]

Distribution Network [Member]

Tin Plating [Member]

Australia [Member]

Australia [Member]

Mining [Member]

Mining [Member]

Binol [Member]

Binol [Member]

ECLI [Member]

Total Acquisitions [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

AUD

USD ($)

AUD

USD ($)

SEK

USD ($)

USD ($)

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Current Assets

$12,406

Fixed Assets

4,158

Intangibles

1,802

11,805

31,050

Finite Lived Customer Lists, Gross

63,502

33,559

30,924

Finite Lived Trademarks, Gross

18,944

6,838

12,606

Other Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Gross

6,647

5,544

1,127

Goodwill

77,933

58,151

59,169

1,075

6,130

14,612

21,817

Other Long-term Assets

198

Total Assets Purchased

83,236

Short-term Debt

-1,186

Other Current Liabilities

-4,298

Long-term Debt

-854

Other Non-Current Liabilities

-4,374

Present Value of Holdback

-248

-300

Total Liabilities Assumed

-8,672

Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price, Total

$29,833

$10,500

$14,518

$2,748

$647

$1,831

$7,577

8,000

$2,355

2,850

$19,064

140,900

$53,145

$74,564

Business_Acquisitions_Narrativ

Business Acquisitions - Narrative (Details)

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2010

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2014

Jun. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2014

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

Summit [Member]

Summit [Member]

Summit [Member]

Summit [Member]

TQM [Member]

TQM [Member]

GW Smith [Member]

GW Smith [Member]

NPCoil Dexter [Member]

NPCoil Dexter [Member]

Distribution Network [Member]

Tin Plating [Member]

Australia [Member]

Australia [Member]

Mining [Member]

Mining [Member]

Mining [Member]

Mining [Member]

Mining [Member]

Binol [Member]

Binol [Member]

Binol [Member]

Binol [Member]

Binol [Member]

ECLI [Member]

ECLI [Member]

ECLI [Member]

ECLI [Member]

Total Acquisitions [Member]

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

USD ($)

AUD

USD ($)

AUD

Customer Lists [Member]

Noncompete Agreements [Member]

Other Intangible Assets [Member]

USD ($)

SEK

Customer Lists [Member]

Noncompete Agreements [Member]

Other Intangible Assets [Member]

USD ($)

Customer Lists [Member]

Noncompete Agreements [Member]

Other Intangible Assets [Member]

USD ($)

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

Cash Paid for Acquisition

$29,833

$10,500

$14,518

$2,748

$647

$1,831

$7,577

8,000

$2,355

2,850

$19,064

140,900

$53,145

$74,564

Long-term Debt

-854

Short-term Debt

-1,186

Goodwill

77,933

58,151

59,169

1,075

6,130

14,612

21,817

Intangibles

1,802

11,805

31,050

Intangible Assets, Amortizable Life

15 years

5 years

15 years

14 years

5 years

15 years

15 years

5 years

10 years

Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired

60.00%

49.00%

Contingent Consideration Paid

4,709

0

0

4,709

2,000

1,000

Present Value of Holdback

248

300

Cash Acquired

1,037

Change in Fair Value Estimate

0

-497

-2,770

-497

-1,737

1,033

Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Other

$6,450

Fair_Value_Assets_Details

Fair Value - Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimate Of Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Company Owned Life Insurance	$1,361	$1,885
Company Owned Life Insurance - Deferred Compensation Assets	310	409
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	71	74
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	7	6
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	13	13
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	37	40
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	6	7
Assets Fair Value Disclosure	1,805	2,434
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Company Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Company Owned Life Insurance - Deferred Compensation Assets	0	0
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	71	74
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	7	6
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	13	13
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	37	40
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	6	7
Assets Fair Value Disclosure	134	140
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Company Owned Life Insurance	1,361	1,885
Company Owned Life Insurance - Deferred Compensation Assets	310	409
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Assets Fair Value Disclosure	1,671	2,294
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Company Owned Life Insurance	0	0
Company Owned Life Insurance - Deferred Compensation Assets	0	0
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Assets Fair Value Disclosure	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Liabilties_Details

Fair Value - Liabilties (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimate Of Fair Value Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	$404	$405
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	108	109
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	90	95
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	179	205
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	40	43
Fixed General Account	160	167
Acquisition-related Consideration		4,876
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	981	5,900
Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	404	405
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	108	109
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	90	95
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	179	205
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	40	43
Fixed General Account	0	0
Acquisition-related Consideration		0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	821	857
Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Fixed General Account	160	167
Acquisition-related Consideration		0
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	160	167
Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Large Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Mid Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Small Capitalization Registered Investment Companies	0	0
International Developed And Emerging Markets Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Fixed Income Registered Investment Companies	0	0
Fixed General Account	0	0
Acquisition-related Consideration		4,876
Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure	$0	$4,876

Fair_Value_Level_3_Rollforward

Fair Value - Level 3 Rollforward (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation Calculation [Roll Forward]
Change in Fair Value Estimate	$0	($497)	($2,770)
Summit Earnout [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	4,697
Interest Accretion	12
Payments	-4,709
Ending Balance	0
Noncompetition Agreement Obligation [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	179
Interest Accretion	8
Payments	-187
Ending Balance	0
Total [Member] | Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value Liabilities Measured On Recurring Basis Unobservable Input Reconciliation Calculation [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	4,876
Interest Accretion	20
Payments	-4,896
Ending Balance	$0

Fair_Value_Quantitative_Disclu

Fair Value - Quantitative Disclusure (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration Actual Cash Payment	$4,709	$0	$0
Summit Earnout [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Business Acquisition Contingent Consideration Actual Cash Payment				$4,709

Hedging_Activities_Narrative_D

Hedging Activities - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liability Notional Amount	$15,000

Hedging_Activities_Table_Detai

Hedging Activities - Table (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income Effective Portion Net	$0	$0	$272
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Reclassified From Accumulated OCI Into Income Effective Portion Net	0	0	-392
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss Recognized In Income Ineffective Portion And Amount Excluded From Effectiveness Testing Net	$0	$0	$0

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Unrelated Environmental Liability Accruals	$173		$205
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Terms	Previously, an inactive subsidiary of the Company executed separate settlement and release agreements with two of its insurance carriers for $35,000, of which $23,599 remains. The proceeds of both settlements are restricted and can only be used to pay claims and costs of defense associated with the subsidiary’s asbestos litigation.
ACP [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency Range Of Possible Loss Minimum	360
Loss Contingency Range Of Possible Loss Maximum	970
P-2 well operation range estimate	one to three years.
SB Decking [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	3,800
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Terms	In response, two of the three carriers entered into separate settlement and release agreements with the subsidiary in 2005 and 2007 for $15,000 and $20,000, respectively. The proceeds of both settlements are restricted and can only be used to pay claims and costs of defense associated with the subsidiary’s asbestos litigation. In 2007, the subsidiary and the remaining primary insurance carrier entered into a Claim Handling and Funding Agreement, under which the carrier agreed to pay 27% of defense and indemnity costs incurred by or on behalf of the subsidiary in connection with asbestos bodily injury claims for a minimum of five years. The agreement continues until terminated and can only be terminated by either party by providing the other party with a minimum of two years prior written notice. As of December 31, 2014, no notice of termination has been given under this agreement. At the end of the term of the agreement, the subsidiary may choose to again pursue its claim against this insurer regarding the application of the policy limits.
VAT, Total [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Related To Litigation Settlement		4,132
Loss Contingency Range Of Possible Loss Minimum	0
Loss Contingency Range Of Possible Loss Maximum	4,000
Percentage of potential exposure represented by one jurisdiction	80.00%
VAT Settlement One [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Related To Litigation Settlement		3,901
VAT Settlement Two [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Related To Litigation Settlement		231
VAT Assessment Three [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Non-Income Tax Contingency Charge			$796

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Operating Leases (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$5,792	$5,510	$5,189
Future Operating Lease Minimum Payments, Due Next Year	5,301
Future Operating Lease Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years	4,381
Future Operating Lease Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years	2,580
Future Operating Lease Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years	348
Future Operating Lease Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years	217
Future Operating Lease Minimum Payments, Due Therafter	$129

Quarterly_Results_Unaudited_De

Quarterly Results - Unaudited (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Results (unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$194,033	$198,867	$191,286	$181,674	$184,297	$184,059	$184,846	$176,193	$765,860	$729,395	$708,226
Gross Profit	69,576	70,300	68,216	65,114	65,163	65,990	67,314	62,608
Operating income	16,485	20,553	20,945	19,373	15,232	18,807	19,793	17,411	77,356	71,243	63,224
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation	$12,639	$15,696	$15,427	$12,730	$14,086	$12,551	$16,083	$13,619	$56,492	$56,339	$47,405
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - basic	$0.95	$1.18	$1.17	$0.96	$1.07	$0.95	$1.22	$1.04	$4.27	$4.28	$3.64
Net income attributable to Quaker Chemical Corporation Common Shareholders - diluted	$0.95	$1.18	$1.16	$0.96	$1.07	$0.95	$1.22	$1.04	$4.26	$4.27	$3.63

Quarterly_Results_Unaudited_Na

Quarterly Results - Unaudited - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
Captive Insurance Equity Affiliate [Member]
Quarterly Charges And Credits, Per Diluted Share	$0.02	$0.01	$0.09	$0.06	$0.08	$0.09	$0.13	$0.11
Amount of Immaterial Misstatement					$0	$0	$0	$1,038
Currency Conversion [Member]
Quarterly Charges And Credits, Per Diluted Share	$0	$0	$0.02	$0	$0	$0	$0	$0.03
Mineral Oil Excise Tax Refund [Member]
Quarterly Charges And Credits, Per Diluted Share					$0	$0	$0.14	$0
Acquisition Related Earnout Adjustment [Member]
Quarterly Charges And Credits, Per Diluted Share					$0.06	$0	$0.03	$0
Cost Streamlining Initiative [Member]
Quarterly Charges And Credits, Per Diluted Share	$0.04	$0	$0.02	$0	$0.01	$0.05	$0.02	$0
Customer Bankruptcy [Member]
Quarterly Charges And Credits, Per Diluted Share	$0.03	$0.02	$0	$0
Non Income Tax Contingency Charge [Member]
Quarterly Charges And Credits, Per Diluted Share					$0.04	$0	$0	$0
Pension Amendment [Member]
Quarterly Charges And Credits, Per Diluted Share	$0	$0	$0	$0.05