| Statement Of Income (USD $) | ||||
| In Millions, except Per Share data | 3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 | 3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2008 | 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 | 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2008 |
| Net sales | 533.8 | 540.6 | 1575.1 | 1690.9 |
| Cost of products sold | 268.6 | 262.7 | 772 | 825.9 |
| Gross profit | 265.2 | 277.9 | 803.1 | 865 |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 127.2 | 135.2 | 383.7 | 427.4 |
| Research and development expenses | 16 | 16.5 | 47.4 | 48.4 |
| Operating Income | 122 | 126.2 | 372 | 389.2 |
| Interest, net | 2.4 | 3.5 | 8 | 10.9 |
| Income before income taxes | 119.6 | 122.7 | 364 | 378.3 |
| Provision for income taxes | 33.5 | 40.8 | 109.9 | 121.1 |
| Net income | 86.1 | 81.9 | 254.1 | 257.2 |
| Net income per share - Basic | 0.71 | 0.65 | 2.08 | 2.02 |
| Net income per share - Diluted | 0.7 | 0.64 | 2.06 | 1.98 |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Basic | 121.7 | 125.5 | 121.9 | 127.4 |
| Weighted average number of shares outstanding - Diluted | 123.8 | 128.1 | 123.6 | 130.1 |
| Dividends per share | 0.145 | 0.13 | 0.435 | 0.39 |
| Statement Of Financial Position Classified (USD $) | ||
| In Millions | Sep. 30, 2009
| Dec. 31, 2008
|
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 292.2 | 251.8 |
| Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $6.9 and $4.1, respectively | 298.6 | 269.8 |
| Inventories | 646.1 | 661.8 |
| Deferred taxes | 58.8 | 45.9 |
| Other current assets | 65 | 79.9 |
| Total current assets | 1360.7 | 1309.2 |
| Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $926.6 and $862.1, respectively | 700.9 | 660.4 |
| Goodwill, net | 403.7 | 388.3 |
| Intangibles, net | 117.6 | 120.6 |
| Other assets | 83.5 | 78 |
| Total assets | 2666.4 | 2556.5 |
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt | 469 | 528.8 |
| Accounts payable | 110.2 | 114.6 |
| Accrued payroll and payroll taxes | 53.7 | 58.6 |
| Accrued income taxes | 31.5 | 41.1 |
| Other current liabilities | 70.1 | 50.8 |
| Total current liabilities | 734.5 | 793.9 |
| Long-term debt | 100 | 200.1 |
| Post-retirement benefits | 41.1 | 39.5 |
| Deferred taxes | 26.3 | 18.6 |
| Other liabilities | 134.4 | 125.2 |
| Total liabilities | 1036.3 | 1177.3 |
| Stockholders' equity: | ||
| Common stock, $1.00 par value; 300.0 shares authorized; 201.8 shares issued; 121.7 and 122.1 shares outstanding at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively | 201.8 | 201.8 |
| Capital in excess of par value | 142.9 | 133 |
| Common stock in treasury, at cost, 80.1 and 79.7 shares at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively | -1969.4 | -1935.3 |
| Retained earnings | 3155.5 | 2954.4 |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 99.3 | 25.3 |
| Total stockholders' equity | 1630.1 | 1379.2 |
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | 2666.4 | 2556.5 |
| Statement Of Financial Position Classified (Parenthetical) (USD $) | ||
| In Millions, except Per Share data | Sep. 30, 2009
| Dec. 31, 2008
|
| Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts | 6.9 | 4.1 |
| Property, plant and equipment, accumulated depreciation | 926.6 | 862.1 |
| Common stock, par value | $1 | $1 |
| Common stock, shares authorized | 300 | 300 |
| Common stock, shares issued | 201.8 | 201.8 |
| Common stock, shares outstanding | 121.7 | 122.1 |
| Common stock in treasury, shares | 80.1 | 79.7 |
| Statement Of Cash Flows Indirect (USD $) | ||
| In Millions | 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 | 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2008 |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | ||
| Net income | 254.1 | 257.2 |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | 68.3 | 75.1 |
| Deferred income taxes | -0.4 | -3.4 |
| Stock-based compensation expense | 13 | 13.7 |
| Other | -0.3 | -0.8 |
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||
| Increase in accounts receivable | -18.3 | -29.5 |
| (Increase)/decrease in inventories | 38.6 | -22.7 |
| Decrease in accounts payable | -10.4 | -10.8 |
| Increase/(decrease) in accrued income taxes | -12.3 | 15.4 |
| Other | 29.9 | 5.6 |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 362.2 | 299.8 |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | ||
| Property, plant and equipment additions | -88.1 | -64.7 |
| Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment | 2.9 | 0.6 |
| Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired | (6) | (2) |
| Other, net | -13.1 | 1 |
| Net cash used in investing activities | -104.3 | -65.1 |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | ||
| Net issuance/(repayment) of short-term debt | -142.2 | 162.8 |
| Repayment of long-term debt | -6.9 | (90) |
| Payment of dividends | (53) | -49.5 |
| Treasury stock purchases | -45.8 | (291) |
| Exercise of stock options | 12.5 | 22.5 |
| Excess tax benefits from stock-based payments | 2.7 | 8.4 |
| Net cash used in financing activities | -232.7 | -236.8 |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | 15.2 | -14.9 |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 40.4 | (17) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at January 1 | 251.8 | 237.6 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at September 30 | 292.2 | 220.6 |
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | ||
| Income taxes paid, net of refunds received | 116.9 | 100.5 |
| Interest paid | 10.1 | 17.6 |
| (1) Basis of Presentation | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (1) Basis of Presentation | (1) Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X and, accordingly, do not include all information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report of Sigma-Aldrich Corporation (the Company) on Form 10-K for the year ended December31, 2008. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in these consolidated financial statements. Operating results for the nine months ended September30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December31, 2009. |
| (2) Reclassifications | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (2) Reclassifications | (2) Reclassifications Certain reclassifications of prior year amounts have been made to conform to the current year presentation. |
| (3) New Accounting Pronouncements | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (3) New Accounting Pronouncements | (3) New Accounting Pronouncements The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No.168, The FASB Accounting Standards CodificationTM and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, a replacement of FASB Statement No.162 (the ASC), in June 2009. Effective for interim and annual periods ended after September15, 2009, the ASC became the source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under authority of federal securities laws are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. This statement is not intended to change existing GAAP and as such did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The Company has updated its references to reflect the ASC. The FASB issued updated guidance under ASC Subtopic 320-10-65 that amends the other-than-temporary impairment guidance for debt securities to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments on debt and equity securities in the financial statements. This updated guidance does not amend existing recognition and measurement guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June15, 2009. The adoption of this updated guidance did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The FASB issued updated guidance under ASC Subtopic 815-10 that requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. Tabular format disclosure by accounting designation of each type of derivative and its impact on an entitys financial statements is expected to provide a more complete picture of the impacts of the Companys use of derivatives. This updated guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November15, 2008. The adoption of this updated guidance did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company or the notes thereto, as the impact of derivatives on the Companys financial position, results of operations and cash flows is not significant. The FASB issued updated guidance under ASC Subtopic 715-20-65 that provides guidance on an employers disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. This updated guidance requires enhanced disclosures about fair value of plan assets including major categories of plan assets, inputs and valuation techniques used to measure fair value, significant concentrations of risk, the method used to allocate investments and the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs. The disclosures about plan assets required by this updated guidance shall be provided for fiscal years ending after December15, 2009. The Company is assessing the impact of this updated guidance on the notes to the conso |
| (4) Uncertainty in Income Taxes | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (4) Uncertainty in Income Taxes | (4) Uncertainty in Income Taxes During the three and nine months ended September30, 2009, the Company recorded $2.4 and $3.4, respectively, of previously unrecognized tax benefits as a result of statute of limitations closure. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the liability for unrecognized tax benefits at September30, 2009 may decrease by approximately $4.0 to $5.0 due to the completion of examinations and statute of limitation closures in various jurisdictions within twelve months of September30, 2009. |
| (5) Inventories | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (5) Inventories | (5) Inventories The principal categories of inventories are: September30, 2009 December31, 2008 Finished goods $ 548.1 $ 566.9 Work in process 29.0 27.2 Raw materials 69.0 67.7 Total $ 646.1 $ 661.8 |
| (6) Intangible Assets | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (6) Intangible Assets | (6) Intangible Assets The Companys amortizable and unamortizable intangible assets at September30, 2009 and December31, 2008 are as follows: Cost AccumulatedAmortization September30, 2009 December31, 2008 September30, 2009 December31, 2008 Amortizable intangible assets: Patents $ 16.7 $ 16.7 $ 7.2 $ 6.6 Licenses 21.0 20.1 5.7 5.8 Customer relationships 97.1 95.1 28.3 23.1 Technical knowledge 22.0 21.1 7.0 5.6 Other 13.0 12.5 11.8 11.4 Total amortizable intangible assets $ 169.8 $ 165.5 $ 60.0 $ 52.5 Unamortizable intangible assets: Goodwill $ 430.1 $ 414.2 $ 26.4 $ 25.9 Trademarks and trade names 15.6 15.4 7.8 7.8 Total unamortizable intangible assets $ 445.7 $ 429.6 $ 34.2 $ 33.7 For the three months ended September30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded amortization expense of $2.9 and $2.8, respectively, related to amortizable intangible assets. For the nine months ended September30, 2009 and 2008, the Company recorded amortization expense of $8.2 and $8.6, respectively, related to amortizable intangible assets. The Company expects to record annual amortization expense for intangible assets of approximately $11.0 in 2009 and in each of the following four years. The change in the net goodwill for the nine months ended September30, 2009 is as follows: Balance at December31, 2008 $ 388.3 Acquisitions 2.7 Impact of foreign currency exchange rates 12.7 Balance at September30, 2009 $ 403.7 |
| (7) Debt | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (7) Debt | (7) Debt Notes payable and long-term debt consist of the following: September30, 2009 December31, 2008 Outstanding Weighted Average Rate Outstanding Weighted Average Rate Notes payable Commercial paper $ 369.0 0.2 % $ 378.7 0.5 % $200.0 European revolving credit facility, due March13, 2014(1) 135.9 0.6 % Sigma-Aldrich Korea limited credit facility, due June11, 2009(2) 5.1 6.2 % Other short-term credit facilities 2.2 1.5 % Total notes payable 369.0 0.2 % 521.9 0.6 % Plus current maturities of long-term debt 100.0 7.7 % 6.9 5.3 % Total notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt $ 469.0 1.8 % $ 528.8 0.6 % Long-term debt Senior notes, due September12, 2010(3) $ 100.0 7.7 % $ 100.0 7.7 % Senior notes, due December5, 2011(4) 100.0 5.1 % 100.0 5.1 % Other 7.0 5.3 % Total 200.0 6.4 % 207.0 6.4 % Less current maturities (100.0 ) 7.7 % (6.9 ) 5.3 % Total long-term debt $ 100.0 5.1 % $ 200.1 6.4 % (1) Facility contains financial covenants that require the maintenance of consolidated net worth of at least $750.0 and a ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization of no more than 55.0%. The Companys consolidated net worth and consolidated debt as a percentage of total capitalization, as defined in the respective agreement, were $1,469.8 and 27.9%, respectively, at September30, 2009. (2) Although the reported borrowings of the facility were due and repaid on June11, 2009, the facility is still available to the Company with a total commitment of 20 billion Korean Won (converted into U.S. Dollars of $17.0) at September30, 2009. There were no outstanding borrowings under this facility at September30, 2009. (3) Note agreement contains financial covenants that require the maintenance of consolidated net worth of at least $750.0, a ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization of no more than 55.0% and an aggregate amount of all consolidated priority debt of no more than 30.0% of consolidated net worth. Consolidated priority debt includes all unsecured debt of any subsidiary in which the Company owns a majority of the voting shares. The Companys consolidated net worth, consolidated debt as a percentage of total capitalization and consolidated priority debt as a percentage of total consolidated net worth, as defined in the respective agreement, were $1,469.8, 27.9% and 0.0%, respectively, at September30, 2009. (4) Note agreement contains financial covenants that require a ratio of consolidated debt to total capitalization of no more than 60.0% and an aggregate amount of all consolidated priority debt of no more than 30.0% of consolidated net worth. The Companys consolid |
| (8) Earnings per Share | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (8) Earnings per Share | (8) Earnings per Share Earnings per share has been calculated using the following share information: ThreeMonthsEnded September30, NineMonthsEnded September30, 2009 2008 2009 2008 Weighted average shares: Basic shares 121.7 125.5 121.9 127.4 Effect of dilutive securities 2.1 2.6 1.7 2.7 Diluted shares 123.8 128.1 123.6 130.1 Potential common shares totaling 0.5 were excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares for the three months ended September30, 2009 and 2008, because their effect was considered to be antidilutive. Potential common shares totaling 0.6 and 0.1 were excluded from the calculation of weighted average shares for the nine months ended September30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, because their effect was considered to be antidilutive. |
| (9) Comprehensive Income | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (9) Comprehensive Income | (9) Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income refers to net income adjusted by gains and losses that in conformity with GAAP are excluded from net income. Other comprehensive items are amounts that are included in stockholders equity in the consolidated balance sheets, including cumulative translation adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on securities and pension and post-retirement benefit liability adjustments, net of tax. For the Company, the difference between net income and comprehensive income is primarily cumulative translation adjustments arising from the translation of assets and liabilities of foreign operating units from their local currency to the reporting currency. For the three months ended September30, 2009 and 2008, comprehensive income (loss) was $130.1 and $(33.5), respectively. For the nine months ended September30, 2009 and 2008, comprehensive income was $328.1 and $200.7, respectively. |
| (10) Company Operations by Business Unit | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (10) Company Operations by Business Unit | (10) Company Operations by Business Unit The Company consists of four business units, which define the Companys approach to serving customers and reporting sales rather than any internal division used to allocate resources or assess performance. The Companys Chief Operating Decision Maker and Board of Directors review profit and loss information on a consolidated basis to assess performance, make overall operating decisions and make resource allocations. The Companys business units are closely interrelated in their activities and share services such as order entry, billing, technical services, internet, purchasing, inventory control as well as production and distribution facilities. Additionally, centralized functional areas such as finance, human resources, quality, safety and compliance and information technology support these units. Further, the Companys Chief Operating Decision Maker, Chief Financial Officer and Business Unit presidents participate in compensation programs which reward performance based upon consolidated Company results for sales growth, operating income and free cash flow. Based on these factors, the Company has concluded that it operates in one segment. Net sales by business unit are as follows: ThreeMonthsEnded September30, NineMonthsEnded September30, 2009 2008 2009 2008 Research Essentials $ 102.2 $ 103.8 $ 312.1 $ 323.3 Research Specialties 197.5 206.3 585.9 634.1 Research Biotech 82.0 80.0 243.6 255.1 Research Chemicals 381.7 390.1 1,141.6 1,212.5 SAFC 152.1 150.5 433.5 478.4 Total $ 533.8 $ 540.6 $ 1,575.1 $ 1,690.9 Sales are attributed to countries based upon the location of product shipped. Geographic financial information is as follows: ThreeMonthsEnded September30, NineMonthsEnded September30, 2009 2008 2009 2008 Net sales to unaffiliated customers: United States $ 195.6 $ 199.4 $ 585.4 $ 599.6 Germany 60.1 59.2 167.4 182.8 All Other Countries 278.1 282.0 822.3 908.5 Total $ 533.8 $ 540.6 $ 1,575.1 $ 1,690.9 September30, 2009 December31, 2008 Long-lived assets: United States $ 465.6 $ 440.2 All Other Countries 279.6 254.6 Total $ 745.2 $ 694.8 The December31, 2008 balances reflected above have been revised. |
| (11) Share Repurchases | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (11) Share Repurchases | (11) Share Repurchases At September30, 2009 and December31, 2008, the Company had repurchased a total of 93.3 and 92.3 shares, respectively, of an authorized repurchase of 100.0 shares. The Company has 6.7 remaining shares authorized for purchase, but the timing and number of shares purchased, if any, depends upon market conditions and other factors. The authorization to repurchase these shares is effective through October20, 2011. There were 121.7 shares outstanding as of September30, 2009. |
| (12) Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (12) Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans | (12) Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Plans The components of the net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended September30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows: Pension Plans United States International Post-Retirement MedicalBenefitPlans 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 Service cost $ 1.5 $ 1.4 $ 1.6 $ 2.0 $ 0.3 $ 0.3 Interest cost 1.7 1.5 1.9 2.0 0.6 0.6 Expected return on plan assets (1.8 ) (2.0 ) (1.8 ) (2.4 ) Amortization 1.2 0.4 0.8 0.1 (0.3 ) (0.3 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 2.6 $ 1.3 $ 2.5 $ 1.7 $ 0.6 $ 0.6 The components of the net periodic benefit costs for the nine months ended September30, 2009 and 2008 are as follows: Pension Plans United States International Post-Retirement MedicalBenefitPlans 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 Service cost $ 4.6 $ 4.3 $ 4.9 $ 5.9 $ 0.8 $ 0.8 Interest cost 4.9 4.5 5.6 6.0 1.9 1.8 Expected return on plan assets (5.3 ) (6.0 ) (5.2 ) (7.2 ) Amortization 3.6 1.1 2.4 0.4 (0.8 ) (0.9 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 7.8 $ 3.9 $ 7.7 $ 5.1 $ 1.9 $ 1.7 The Company is not required to make a contribution to its U.S. pension plan in 2009. The Company contributed $3.7 to its international pension plans in the nine months ended September30, 2009. In total, the Company expects to contribute approximately $4.6 to its pension plans in 2009. The Companys 401(k) retirement savings plan provides retirement benefits to eligible U.S. employees in addition to those provided by the pension plan. The plan permits participants to voluntarily defer a portion of their compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. The Company also contributes a fixed amount per year to the account of each eligible employee plus a percentage of the employees salary deferral. The cost for this plan was $2.4 and $2.2 for the three months ended September30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and $7.0 and $6.8 for the nine months ended September30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. |
| (13) Contingent Liabilities and Commitments | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (13) Contingent Liabilities and Commitments | (13) Contingent Liabilities and Commitments The Company is involved in legal proceedings generally incidental to its business, as described below: Insurance and Other Contingent Liabilities and Commitments The Company is a defendant in several lawsuits and claims related to the normal conduct of its business, including lawsuits and claims related to product liability and personal injury matters. The Company accrues for such liabilities when it is probable that future costs (including legal fees and expenses) will be incurred and such costs can be reasonably estimated. The Company has self-insured retention limits and has obtained insurance to provide coverage above the self-insured limits for product liability and personal injury claims, subject to certain limitations and exclusions. Reserves have been provided to cover expected payments for these self-insured amounts at September30, 2009. In one group of lawsuits and claims, the Company, as well as others engaged in manufacturing and distributing similar products, is a defendant in multiple claims alleging injuries from exposure to various chemicals by a limited number of employees of one electronics manufacturer. These claims have been filed in three states. A global settlement has been reached for all cases, which has been approved by the court. The settlement is not significant to the Companys consolidated financial statements. In another group of lawsuits and claims, the Company provided a product for use in research activities in developing various vaccines at pharmaceutical companies. The Company, together with other manufacturers and distributors offering the same product and several pharmaceutical companies, has been named as a defendant and served in 294 lawsuits, of which 126 lawsuits have been dismissed to date. Several of the outstanding suits have been stayed by various state and federal courts pending a decision on coverage available under a U.S. federal government relief program. No definite date has been set for this decision. In all cases, the Company believes its products in question were restricted to research use and that proper information for safe use of the products was provided to the customer. In another group of lawsuits and claims, the Company, as well as others engaged in manufacturing and distributing flavoring products, is a defendant in multiple claims alleging personal injuries from exposure to the products. The Company has been named as a defendant and served in 18 lawsuits, 7 of which have been dismissed or settled. These claims have been filed in six states. On November4, 2008 a settlement, which was not material to the Companys consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, was reached in one case. Additionally, the Company believes the settlement reached does not change its position as it relates to other claims in this group. The Company is vigorously defending its rights as to the remaining claims. The Company believes it is covered by insurance for the above matters, subject to its self-insurance retention limits. A class action complaint was filed against a subsidiary of the Company in the Montgomery County, Ohi |
| (14) Subsequent Events | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| (14) Subsequent Events | (14) Subsequent Events The Company has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to September30, 2009 through October 30, 2009, the date the financial statements were filed with the SEC as part of this Form 10-Q. No events require recognition in the consolidated financial statements or disclosures of the Company. |
| Document Information | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 USD / shares | |
| Document Information [Text Block] | |
| Document Type | 10-Q |
| Amendment Flag | false |
| Document Period End Date | 2009-09-30 |
| Entity Information (USD $) | |
| 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2009 | |
| Entity [Text Block] | |
| Trading Symbol | SIAL |
| Entity Registrant Name | SIGMA ALDRICH CORP |
| Entity Central Index Key | 0000090185 |
| Current Fiscal Year End Date | --12-31 |
| Entity Filer Category | Large Accelerated Filer |
| Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding | 121,694,782 |
