Balchem (BCPC) 10-K 27 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 20, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	BALCHEM CORP
Entity Central Index Key	9326
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$1,610,000,000
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		30,945,086
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$50,287	$208,747
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $288 and $115 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	71,982	39,386
Inventories	49,623	24,824
Prepaid expenses	4,545	2,580
Prepaid income taxes	0	899
Deferred income taxes	1,390	893
Other current assets	3,475	445
Total current assets	181,302	277,774
Property, plant and equipment, net	131,588	54,916
Goodwill	383,646	28,515
Intangible assets with finite lives, net	160,394	15,126
Other assets	4,341	541
Total assets	861,271	376,872
Current liabilities:
Trade accounts payable	24,352	12,395
Accrued expenses	15,614	10,732
Accrued compensation and other benefits	9,137	4,770
Dividends payable	9,251	7,856
Income taxes payable	2,168	0
Current portion of long-term debt	35,000	0
Total current liabilities	95,522	35,753
Long-term debt	297,500	0
Deferred income taxes	70,401	5,884
Other long-term obligations	5,950	3,877
Total liabilities	469,373	45,514
Commitments and contingencies (note 11)
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $25 par value. Authorized 2,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $.0667 par value. Authorized 60,000,000 shares; 30,845,586 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2014 and 30,225,763 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013	2,058	2,016
Additional paid-in capital	97,289	77,517
Retained earnings	295,202	251,627
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-2,651	198
Treasury stock, at cost: 0 and 0 shares at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	0	0
Total stockholders' equity	391,898	331,358
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$861,271	$376,872

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$288	$115
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$25	$25
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.07	$0.07
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	30,845,586	30,225,763
Common stock, outstanding (in shares)	30,845,586	30,225,763
Treasury stock (in shares)	0	0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ear

Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Earnings [Abstract]
Net sales	$541,383	$337,173	$310,393
Cost of sales	397,211	239,752	220,854
Gross margin	144,172	97,421	89,539
Operating expenses:
Selling expenses	35,758	15,920	15,934
Research and development expenses	4,810	3,622	3,422
General and administrative expenses	21,461	12,277	10,406
Total operating expenses	62,029	31,819	29,762
Earnings from operations	82,143	65,602	59,777
Other expenses (income):
Interest income	-64	-277	-10
Interest expense	5,145	24	10
Other, net	10	37	-67
Earnings before income tax expense	77,052	65,818	59,844
Income tax expense	24,226	20,944	19,839
Net earnings	$52,826	$44,874	$40,005
Basic net earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.74	$1.51	$1.38
Diluted net earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$1.69	$1.45	$1.32

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
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net earnings	$52,826	$44,874	$40,005
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net foreign currency translation adjustment	-2,972	856	342
Net change in postretirement benefit plan, net of taxes of $56, $60, and $86 at December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively	123	101	-163
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-2,849	957	179
Comprehensive income	$49,977	$45,831	$40,184

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net change in postretirement benefit plan, taxes	$56	$60	($86)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data
Balance - beginning of year at Dec. 31, 2011	$232,009	$181,070	($938)	$1,944	$0	$49,933
Balance - beginning of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011				29,165,721	0
Net earnings	40,005	40,005	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income	179	0	179	0	0	0
Dividends	-6,466	-6,466	0	0	0	0
Treasury shares purchased	-1,699	0	0	0	-1,699	0
Treasury shares purchased (in shares)				0	-43,680
Shares issued under employee benefit plans and other	311	0	0	1	0	310
Shares issued under employee benefit plans and other (in shares)				10,145	0
Shares and options issued under stock plans and an income tax benefit	8,673	0	0	19	1,699	6,955
Shares and options issued under stock plans and an income tax benefit (in shares)				278,305	43,680
Balance - end of year at Dec. 31, 2012	273,012	214,609	-759	1,964	0	57,198
Balance - end of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012				29,454,171	0
Net earnings	44,874	44,874	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income	957	0	957	0	0	0
Dividends	-7,856	-7,856	0	0	0	0
Treasury shares purchased	-1,925	0	0	0	-1,925	0
Treasury shares purchased (in shares)				0	-33,566
Shares and options issued under stock plans and an income tax benefit	22,296	0	0	52	1,925	20,319
Shares and options issued under stock plans and an income tax benefit (in shares)				771,592	33,566
Balance - end of year at Dec. 31, 2013	331,358	251,627	198	2,016	0	77,517
Balance - end of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013				30,225,763	0
Net earnings	52,826	52,826	0	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income	-2,849	0	-2,849	0	0	0
Dividends	-9,251	-9,251	0	0	0	0
Treasury shares purchased	-1,068	0	0	0	-1,068	0
Treasury shares purchased (in shares)				0	-17,497
Shares and options issued under stock plans and an income tax benefit	20,882	0	0	42	1,068	19,772
Shares and options issued under stock plans and an income tax benefit (in shares)				619,823	17,497
Balance - end of year at Dec. 31, 2014	$391,898	$295,202	($2,651)	$2,058	$0	$97,289
Balance - end of year (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014				30,845,586	0

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto1

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends (in dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.26	$0.22
Income tax benefit of shares and options issued under stock plans	$7,220	$9,397	$2,862

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 earnings	$52,826	$44,874	$40,005
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	30,524	10,474	9,641
Stock compensation expense	4,557	3,817	3,906
Shares issued under employee benefit plans	0	0	311
Deferred income taxes	-11,259	-315	-92
Provision for doubtful accounts	238	0	57
Foreign currency transaction loss	105	92	88
Loss on disposal of assets	150	0	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquired balances
Accounts receivable	-8,395	2,958	-7,642
Inventories	6,698	-3,942	-1,979
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-848	495	-387
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	7,747	-2,770	5,775
Income taxes	3,370	-620	3,890
Other	-363	629	208
Net cash provided by operating activities	85,350	55,692	53,781
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-13,199	-8,187	-13,883
Cash paid for acquisition, net of cash acquired	-491,057	0	0
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	1	40	0
Intangible assets acquired	-169	-230	-121
Net cash used in investing activities	-504,424	-8,377	-14,004
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	350,000	0	178
Principal payments on long-term debt	-17,500	0	-1,386
Proceeds from revolving loan	50,000	0	0
Principal payments on revolving loan	-50,000	0	0
Principal payment on acquired debt	-75,550	0	0
Cash paid for financing costs	-2,593	0	0
Repayments of short-term obligations	-89	-89	0
Proceeds from stock options exercised	9,106	9,082	1,905
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	7,220	9,397	2,862
Dividends paid	-7,856	0	-11,703
Purchase of treasury stock	-1,068	-1,925	-1,699
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	261,670	16,465	-9,843
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	-1,056	230	22
Increase/(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-158,460	64,010	29,956
Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period	208,747	144,737	114,781
Cash and cash equivalents end of period	$50,287	$208,747	$144,737

BUSINESS_DESCRIPTION_AND_SUMMA

BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	NOTE 1 - BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	Business Description
	Balchem Corporation (including, unless the context otherwise requires, its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Performance Chemicals & Ingredients Company (d/b/a SensoryEffects), BCP Ingredients, Inc., Aberco, Inc., Balchem BV, Balchem Trading BV, and Balchem Italia Srl (“Balchem” or the “Company”)), incorporated in the State of Maryland in 1967, is engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of specialty performance ingredients and products for the food, nutritional, feed, pharmaceutical and medical sterilization industries. As of December 31, 2013, Balchem Trading BV was merged into Balchem Italia Srl.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue for each of our business segments is recognized upon product shipment, passage of title and risk of loss, and when collection is reasonably assured. The Company reports amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling as revenue and includes costs incurred for shipping and handling in cost of sales. Amounts received for unshipped merchandise are not recognized as revenue but rather they are recorded as customer deposits and are included in current liabilities. In instances of shipments made on consignment, revenue is deferred until a customer indicates to the Company that it has used the Company’s products. The Company does not charge its customers rental fees on cylinders or drums used to ship its products.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company has funds in its cash accounts that are with third party financial institutions, primarily in certificates of deposit and money market funds. The Company’s U.S. cash balances at these financial institutions exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits.
	Accounts Receivable
	Credit terms are granted in the normal course of business to our customers. On-going credit evaluations are performed on our customers and credit limits are adjusted based upon payment history and the customer's current credit worthiness, as determined through review of their current credit information. Collections and payments from customers are continuously monitored and allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments are maintained. Estimated losses are based on historical experience and any specific customer collection issues identified.
	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first in, first out or average) or market value and have been reduced by an allowance for excess or obsolete inventories. Cost elements include material, labor and manufacturing overhead.
	Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
	Buildings	15-25 years
	Equipment	2-28 years
	Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense. Alterations and major overhauls that extend the lives or increase the capacity of plant assets are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost of the assets and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resultant gain or loss is included in earnings.
	Business Concentrations
	Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk consist primarily of certificates of deposit, money market investments and accounts receivable. Investments are managed within established guidelines to mitigate risks. Accounts receivable subject the Company to credit risk partially due to the concentration of amounts due from customers. The Company extends credit to its customers based upon an evaluation of the customers’ financial condition and credit histories. The majority of the Company’s customers are major national or international corporations. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, no customer accounted for more than 10% of total net sales.
	Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other,” requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting for a business combination and defines an intangible asset. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but are instead assessed for impairment annually and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350. The Company performs its annual test as of October 1. ASC 350 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.
	As of December 31, 2012, the Company adopted ASU No. 2011-08, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment” (“ASU 2011-08”). The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is “more likely than not” (i.e. a likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair values of our reporting units are less than their respective carrying amounts, including goodwill, as a basis for determining whether it  is necessary to perform the two step goodwill impairment test.  If determined to be necessary, the two step impairment test shall be used to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of a goodwill impairment loss to be recognized (if any). The Company has an unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the goodwill impairment test.
	As of October 1, 2014 and 2013, the Company opted to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceeded directly to performing the first step of the goodwill impairment test. We assessed the fair values of our reporting units by utilizing the income approach, based on a discounted cash flow valuation model as the basis for our conclusions.  Our estimates of future cash flows included significant management assumptions such as revenue growth rates, operating margins, discount rates, estimated terminal values and future economic and market conditions.  Our assessment concluded that the fair values of the three reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts, including goodwill. Accordingly, the goodwill of the three reporting units is not considered impaired. The Company may resume performing the qualitative assessment in subsequent periods.
	The Company had unamortized goodwill in the amount of $383,646 and $28,515 at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, subject to the provisions of ASC 350.  Unamortized goodwill is allocated to the Company’s reportable segments as follows:
			2014		2013
	Specialty Products		$	7,160	$	7,160
	SensoryEffects			363,524		8,393
	Animal Nutrition and Health			12,962		12,962
	Total		$	383,646	$	28,515
	The following intangible assets with finite lives are stated at cost and are amortized either on an accelerated basis or on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:
	Amortization Period
			(in years)
	Customer relationships and lists			10
	Trademarks & trade names			17
	Developed technology			5
	Regulatory registration costs			5 - 10
	Patents & trade secrets			15 - 17
	Other			5 - 10
	For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no triggering events which required asset impairment reviews.
	Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	Use of Estimates
	Management of the Company is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company has a number of financial instruments, none of which are held for trading purposes. The Company estimates that the fair value of all financial instruments at December 31, 2014 and 2013 does not differ materially from the aggregate carrying values of its financial instruments recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is necessarily required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value, and, accordingly, the estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The carrying value of debt approximates fair value as the interest rate is based on market and the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The Company’s financial instruments also includes cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and are carried at cost which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
	Cost of Sales
	Cost of sales are primarily comprised of raw materials and supplies consumed in the manufacture of product, as well as manufacturing labor, maintenance labor, depreciation expense, and direct overhead expense necessary to convert purchased materials and supplies into finished product. Cost of sales also includes inbound freight costs, outbound freight costs for shipping products to customers, warehousing costs, quality control and obsolescence expense.
	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
	Selling expenses consist primarily of compensation and benefit costs, amortization of customer relationships and lists, trade promotions, advertising, commissions and other marketing costs. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and benefit costs, occupancy and operating costs of corporate offices, depreciation and amortization expense on non-manufacturing assets, information systems costs and other miscellaneous administrative costs. In 2014, general and administrative expenses were reduced by a $2.9 million net legal settlement.
	Research and Development
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
	Net Earnings Per Common Share
	Basic net earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per common share is calculated in a manner consistent with basic net earnings per common share except that the weighted average number of common shares outstanding also includes the dilutive effect of stock options outstanding and unvested restricted stock (using the treasury stock method).
	Stock-based Compensation
	The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 3. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation,” which requires all share-based payments, including grants of stock options, to be recognized in the income statement as an operating expense, based on their fair values. The Company estimates the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes based option-pricing model. Estimates of and assumptions about forfeiture rates, terms, volatility, interest rates and dividend yields are used to calculate stock-based compensation. A significant change to these estimates could materially affect the Company’s operating results.
	Impairment of Long-lived Assets
	Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, which is generally based on discounted cash flows.
	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation with no impact on net earnings or stockholders’ equity.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
ACQUISITIONS [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	NOTE 2 – ACQUISITIONS
	On May 7, 2014, the Company acquired 100 percent (the “Acquisition”) of the outstanding common shares of Performance Chemicals & Ingredients Company (d/b/a SensoryEffects), a privately held supplier of customized food and ingredient systems, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. The Company made payments of approximately $569 million on the acquisition date, amounting to approximately $494 million to the former shareholders, including adjustments for working capital acquired, and approximately $75 million to SensoryEffects’ lenders to pay off all SensoryEffects bank debt. SensoryEffects is a leader in powder, solid and liquid flavor systems, creamer and specialty emulsified powders, cereal-based products and other functional ingredient food and beverage delivery systems. The Acquisition of SensoryEffects accelerates the Company’s growth into the health and wellness markets. SensoryEffects was merged with the Company’s Food, Pharma & Nutrition segment, strengthening its market leadership position, and the segment was renamed SensoryEffects.
	The estimated goodwill of $355,131 arising from the Acquisition consists largely of expected synergies, including the combined entities experience and technical problem solving capabilities, and acquired workforce. The goodwill is assigned to the SensoryEffects segment and approximately $20,466 is expected to be tax deductible for income tax purposes.
	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,635
	Accounts receivable		25,674
	Inventories		32,000
	Property, plant and equipment		75,850
	Customer relationships		130,300
	Trade names		31,100
	Developed technology		3,200
	Other assets		3,955
	Indemnification asset		1,650
	Trade accounts payable		(10,427	)
	Accrued expenses		(6,326	)
	Bank debt		(75,550	)
	Deferred income taxes		(75,500	)
	Goodwill		355,131
	Amount paid to shareholders		493,692
	SensoryEffects bank debt paid on purchase date		75,550
	Total amount paid on acquisition date	$	569,242
	The estimated fair value of tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on management’s estimates and assumptions that are subject to change. In preparing our preliminary fair value estimates of the intangible assets and certain tangible assets acquired, management, among other things, consulted an independent advisor. The gross contractual amounts of accounts receivable approximated their recorded fair value. Certain intangible assets are not tax deductible and the related deferred tax liabilities are preliminary pending management’s final review of the acquisition date tax returns. As a result of our ongoing reviews of the tax balances, a $2.0 million reduction of the deferred income taxes and goodwill, from our original purchase price allocation, was recorded during the fourth quarter.
	Customer relationships are amortized over a 10-year period utilizing an accelerated method based on the estimated average customer attrition rate. Trade names and developed technology are amortized over 10 years and 5 years, respectively, utilizing the straight-line method as the consumption pattern of the related economic benefits cannot be reliably determined.
	The Company is indemnified for tax liabilities prior to the Acquisition date. The indemnification asset balance increased by $272 from May 7, 2014 to December 31, 2014 to $1,922.
	Transaction and integration related costs included in selling, general, and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 are $3,652.
	The following unaudited pro forma information has been prepared as if the Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2013.
		Year Ended					Year Ended
		31-Dec-14					31-Dec-13
		Net Sales			Net Earnings		Net Sales		Net Earnings
	SensoryEffects actual results included in the Company’s consolidated income statement from May 7, 2014 through December 31, 2014	$	156,192		$	6,632	$	-0-	$	-0-
	Supplemental pro forma combined financial information	$	625,400		$	61,730	$	545,592	$	41,603
	Basic earnings per share				$	2.03			$	1.4
	Diluted earnings per share				$	1.98			$	1.35
	2014 supplemental pro forma earnings for the year ended December 31, 2014 exclude $17,248 of acquisition-related costs incurred and $4,735 of nonrecurring expenses related to the fair value adjustment to acquisition-date inventory. The 2013 supplemental pro forma earnings were adjusted to include the $4,735 of nonrecurring expense related to the fair value adjustment to acquisition date inventory. The pro forma information presented does not purport to be indicative of the results that actually would have been attained if the SensoryEffects acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented and is not intended to be a projection of future results.

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	NOTE 3 - STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	In accordance with ASC 718, all share-based payments, including grants of stock options, are recognized in the income statement as an operating expense, based on their fair values.
	As required by ASC 718, the Company has made an estimate of expected forfeitures, based on its historical experience, and is recognizing compensation cost only for those stock-based compensation awards expected to vest.
	Additionally, since adoption of ASC 718, excess tax benefits related to stock compensation are presented as a cash inflow from financing activities. This change had the effect of decreasing cash flows from operating activities and increasing cash flows from financing activities by $7,220, $9,397 and $2,862 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The Company’s results for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 reflected the following compensation cost as a result of adopting ASC 718 and such compensation cost had the following effects on net earnings:
			Increase/(Decrease) for the
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Cost of sales		$	593			$	607			$	523
	Operating expenses			3,963				3,210				3,383
	Net earnings			(2,926	)			(2,370	)			(2,469	)
	On December 31, 2014, the Company had one share-based compensation plan, which is described below (the “1999 Stock Plan”).
	In June 1999, the Company adopted the Balchem Corporation 1999 Stock Plan for officers, directors, directors emeritus and employees of and consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries. The 1999 Stock Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. Under the plan, options and rights to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock are granted at prices established at the time of grant. Option grants generally become exercisable 20% after 1 year, 60% after 2 years and 100% after 3 years from the date of grant for employees and are fully exercisable on the date of grant for directors. Other option grants are either fully exercisable on the date of grant or become exercisable thereafter in such installments as the Committee may specify. Options granted under the 1999 Stock Plan expire ten years from the date of grant. The 1999 Stock Plan initially reserved an aggregate of 600,000 shares (unadjusted for the stock splits) of Common Stock for issuance under the Plan. In April 2003, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted and stockholders subsequently approved, the Amended and Restated 1999 Stock Plan (the “Amended Plan”) which amended the 1999 Stock Plan by:  (i) increasing the number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 1999 Stock Plan by 600,000 shares (unadjusted for the stock splits), to a total of 1,200,000 shares (unadjusted for the stock splits) of Common Stock; and (ii) confirming the right of the Company to grant awards of Common Stock (“Awards”) in addition to the other Stock Rights available under the 1999 Stock Plan, and providing certain language changes relating thereto. The Amended Plan was scheduled to expire in April, 2009. In April, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted and stockholders subsequently approved, the adoption of an amendment and restatement of the Amended Plan (collectively to be referred to as the “Second Amended Plan”), which provides as follows: (i) for a termination date of April 9, 2018; (ii) to authorize 6,000,000 shares reserved for future grants under the Second Amended Plan; (iii) for the making of grants of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and performance awards; (iv) for immediate acceleration of vesting of awards issued under the plan in the event of a change in control of the Company; and (v) for compliance with the requirements of Sections 409A and 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code” or the “Code”). The 1999 Stock Plan replaced the Company's incentive stock option plan (the “ISO Plan”) and its non-qualified stock option plan (the “Non-Qualified Plan”), both of which expired on June 24, 1999. Unexercised options granted under the ISO Plan and the Non-Qualified Plan prior to such termination remained exercisable in accordance with their terms and expired ten years from the date of grant.
	The shares to be issued upon exercise of the outstanding options have been approved, reserved and are adequate to cover all exercises. As of December 31, 2014, the plans had 4,064,576 shares available for future awards.
	The Company has Restricted Stock Purchase Agreements (the “RSP Agreements”) with its non-employee directors and certain employees of the Company to purchase the Company’s Common Stock pursuant to the Company’s 1999 Stock Plan. Under the RSP Agreements, certain shares have been purchased, ranging from 1,000 shares to 20,250 shares, of the Company’s Common Stock at purchase prices ranging from approximately $.02 per share to $.07 per share. The purchased stock is subject to a repurchase option in favor of the Company and to restrictions on transfer until it vests in accordance with the provisions of the RSP Agreements. In 2011, the Company discontinued the use of RSP Agreements and replaced them with Restricted Stock Grant Agreements for the Company’s non-employee directors and certain employees. Under the Restricted Stock Grant Agreements, certain shares of the Company’s Common Stock have been granted, ranging from 500 shares to 20,000 shares, to its non-employee directors and certain employees, subject to time-based vesting requirements.
	The fair value of each option award issued under the 1999 Stock Plan is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes based option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected term of the options is based on the Company’s historical experience of employees’ exercise behavior. Dividend yields are based on the Company’s historical dividend yields. Risk-free interest rates are based on the implied yields currently available on U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life.
			Years Ended
			2014				31-Dec-13				2012
	Weighted Average Assumptions:
	Expected Volatility			33.7	%			39.2	%			40.6	%
	Expected Term (in years)			5.6				5				4.6
	Risk-Free Interest Rate			1.8	%			1	%			0.7	%
	Dividend Yield			0.5	%			0.5	%			0.5	%
	The value of the restricted shares is based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant.
	Compensation expense for stock options and restricted stock awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, generally three years for stock options, ninety days to four years for employee restricted stock awards, and four to seven years for non-employee director restricted stock awards.
	A summary of stock option plan activity for 2014, 2013, and 2012 for all plans is as follows:
			# of				Weighted Average
	2014		Shares				Exercise Price
			(000s)
	Outstanding at beginning of year			1,893			$	20.94
	Granted			313				53.38
	Exercised			(610	)			14.92
	Forfeited			(126	)			56.03
	Outstanding at end of year			1,470			$	27.35
	Exercisable at end of year			1,066			$	21.52
			# of				Weighted Average
	2013		Shares (000s)				Exercise Price
	Outstanding at beginning of year			2,543			$	16.87
	Granted			177				38.73
	Exercised			(796	)			11.4
	Forfeited			(31	)			33.9
	Outstanding at end of year			1,893			$	20.94
	Exercisable at end of year			1,516			$	17.64
			# of				Weighted Average
	2012		Shares (000s)				Exercise Price
	Outstanding at beginning of year			2,514			$	14.68
	Granted			276				30.35
	Exercised			(231	)			8.24
	Forfeited			(16	)			28.53
	Outstanding at end of year			2,543			$	16.87
	Exercisable at end of year			2,155			$	14.3
	The aggregate intrinsic value for outstanding stock options was $57,742, $71,465 and $49,845 at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 5.6 years at December 31, 2014. Exercisable stock options at December 31, 2014 had an aggregate intrinsic value of $48,085 with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 4.4 years.
	Other information pertaining to option activity during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted		$	17.36			$	13.07			$	10.09
	Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised ($000s)		$	25,224			$	28,776			$	6,524
	Additional information related to stock options outstanding under all plans at December 31, 2014 is as follows:
						Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
			Shares Outstanding (000s)			Weighted		Weighted Average Exercise				Number Exercisable (000s)		Weighted Average Exercise
	Range of Exercise Prices					Average		Price						Price
						Remaining
						Contractual
	Term
$     9.21    -   $22.34			702		3.4 years		$	16.09				702	$	16.09
24.95    -     32.21			401		6.5 years			30.68				322		31.08
33.81    -     58.42			367		8.7 years			45.28				42		39.19
			1,470		5.6 years		$	27.35				1,066	$	21.52
Non-vested restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is summarized below:
		Shares (000s)				Weighted Average Grant Date Fair
						Value
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2013			172			$	33.69
Granted			33				54.86
Vested			(65	)			34.19
Forfeited			(6	)			45.32
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2014			134			$	38.13
		Shares (000s)				Weighted Average Grant Date Fair
						Value
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2012			258			$	26.88
Granted			32				44.69
Vested			(94	)			19.31
Forfeited			(24	)			31.97
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2013			172			$	33.69
		Shares (000s)				Weighted Average Grant Date Fair
						Value
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2011			354			$	18.77
Granted			91				32.72
Vested			(187	)			14.38
Forfeited			-				-
Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2012			258			$	26.88
As of December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, there was $5,981, $5,947 and $7,012, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the plans. As of December 31, 2014, the unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2 years. We estimate that share-based compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 will be approximately $4,900.
REPURCHASE OF COMMON STOCK
The Company has an approved stock repurchase program. The total authorization under this program is 3,763,038 shares. Since the inception of the program in June 1999, a total of 2,105,231 shares have been purchased, none of which remained in treasury at December 31, 2014 or 2013. During 2014, a total of 17,497 shares have been purchased at an average cost of $61.06 per share. The Company intends to acquire shares from time to time at prevailing market prices if and to the extent it deems it advisable to do so based on its assessment of corporate cash flow, market conditions and other factors.

INVENTORIES

INVENTORIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
INVENTORIES	NOTE 4 - INVENTORIES
	Inventories at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	19,822	$	8,454
	Work in progress		1,989		1,330
	Finished goods		27,812		15,040
	Total inventories	$	49,623	$	24,824
	On a regular basis, the Company evaluates its inventory balances for excess quantities and obsolescence by analyzing demand, inventory on hand, sales levels and other information. Based on these evaluations, inventory balances are reduced, if necessary. The reserve for inventory was $1,682 and $181 at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT	NOTE 5 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
	Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are summarized as follows:
		2014		2013
	Land	$	3,130	$	2,054
	Building		31,030		19,732
	Equipment		150,170		86,147
	Construction in progress		10,969		1,754
			195,299		109,687
	Less: Accumulated depreciation		63,711		54,771
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	131,588	$	54,916
	Depreciation expense was $10,599, $6,498 and $5,672 for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

INTANGIBLE_ASSETS

INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
INTANGIBLE ASSETS	NOTE 6 - INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	The Company had goodwill in the amount of $383,646 as of December 31, 2014 and $28,515 as of December 31, 2013 subject to the provisions of ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.”
	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2014, are as follows:
	Goodwill at January 1, 2014	$	28,515
	Goodwill as a result of the Acquisition of Performance Chemicals & Ingredients Company – see Note 2		355,131
	Goodwill at December 31, 2014	$	383,646
	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had identifiable intangible assets as follows:
		Amortization		2014		2014		2013		2013
		Period		Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Gross		Accumulated Amortization
		(In years)		Carrying				Carrying
				Amount				Amount
	Customer relationships & lists		10	$	167,442	$	41,238	$	37,142	$	24,552
	Trademarks & trade names		17		32,014		2,540		910		461
	Developed technology		5		3,200		420		-0-		-0-
	Regulatory registration costs		10-May		1,704		667		1,644		514
	Patents & trade secrets		15-17		1,665		933		1,593		849
	Other		10-May		754		587		754		541
				$	206,779	$	46,385	$	42,043	$	26,917
	Amortization of identifiable intangible assets was $19,468, $3,976 and $3,969 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Assuming no change in the gross carrying value of identifiable intangible assets, the estimated amortization expense is approximately $26,490 in 2015, $24,300 in 2016, $20,345 in 2017, $18,085 in 2018 and $16,285 in 2019. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, there were no identifiable intangible assets with indefinite useful lives as defined by ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.” Identifiable intangible assets are reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets under Intangible assets with finite lives, net. There were no changes to the useful lives of intangible assets subject to amortization in 2014 and 2013.
	At December 31, 2014, the gross carrying amount included customer relationships, trademarks & trade names and developed technology acquired as part of the Performance Chemicals & Ingredients acquisition in 2014.
	The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, (“FIFRA”), a health and safety statute, requires that certain products within our specialty products segment must be registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) because they are considered pesticides. Costs of such registration are included as regulatory registration costs in the table above.

LONG_TERM_DEBT

LONG TERM DEBT	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
LONG TERM DEBT [Abstract]
LONG TERM DEBT	NOTE 7 – LONG TERM DEBT
	On May 7, 2014, the Company and a bank syndicate entered into a loan agreement providing for a senior secured term loan of $350,000 and revolving loan of $100,000 (collectively referred to as the “loans”). The term loan and $50,000 of the revolving loan were used to fund the Performance Chemicals & Ingredients Company acquisition (see Note 2) and for general corporate purposes. At December 31, 2014, the Company had a total of $332,500 of debt outstanding. The term loan is payable in quarterly installments of $8,750 commencing on September 30, 2014, with the outstanding principal due on the maturity date. The Company may draw on the revolving loan at its discretion and the revolving loan does not have installments and all outstanding amounts are due on the maturity date. The loans may be voluntarily prepaid in whole or in part without premium or penalty and have a maturity date of May 7, 2019. The loans are subject to an interest rate equal to LIBOR or a fluctuating rate as defined by the loan agreement, at the Company’s discretion; plus an applicable rate. The applicable rate is based upon the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, as defined in the loan agreement, and the interest rate was 1.92% at December 31, 2014. The Company has $100,000 of undrawn revolving loan at December 31, 2014 that is subject to a commitment fee; which is based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio as defined in the loan agreement. The loan agreement contains quarterly covenants requiring the consolidated leverage ratio to be less than a certain maximum ratio and the consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio to exceed a certain minimum ratio. At December 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.  Indebtedness under the Company’s loan agreements are secured by assets of the company.
	The following table summarizes the future minimum debt payments:
		2015		2016		2017		2018		2019
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	35,000	-		-		-		-
	Long-term debt		-	$	35,000	$	35,000	$	35,000	$	192,500
	Total	$	35,000	$	35,000	$	35,000	$	35,000	$	192,500
	Costs associated with the issuance of debt instruments are capitalized and amortized over the terms of the respective financing arrangements using the effective interest method. If debt is retired early, the related unamortized costs are expensed in the period the debt is retired. Capitalized costs net of accumulated amortization total $2,139 at December 31, 2014, of which $603 is included in other current assets and $1,536 is included in other assets. Amortization expense pertaining to these costs totaled $457 for the year ended December 31, 2014 and is included in interest expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of earnings.

INCOME_TAXES

INCOME TAXES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 8 - INCOME TAXES
	Income tax expense consists of the following:
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	25,937		$	18,366		$	17,748
	Foreign		2,141			1,418			1,080
	State		2,412			1,475			1,104
	Deferred:
	Federal		(5,772	)		(75	)		(332	)
	Foreign		85			74			148
	State		(577	)		(314	)		91
	Total income tax provision	$	24,226		$	20,944		$	19,839
	The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the Federal statutory rate of 35% to earnings before income tax expense due to the following:
		2014			2013			2012
	Income tax at Federal statutory rate	$	26,968		$	23,036		$	20,945
	State income taxes, net of Federal income taxes		1,182			908			659
	Domestic production activities deduction		(2,567	)		(1,804	)		(1,775	)
	Other		(1,357	)		(1,196	)		10
	Total income tax provision	$	24,226		$	20,944		$	19,839
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Inventories	$	1,774		$	608
	Restricted stock and stock options		4,716			4,590
	Other		4,019			758
	Total deferred tax assets		10,509			5,956
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Amortization	$	60,056		$	3,031
	Depreciation		17,969			6,978
	Prepaid expense		932			542
	Other		563			396
	Total deferred tax liabilities		79,520			10,947
	Net deferred tax liability	$	69,011		$	4,991
	There is no valuation allowance for deferred tax assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences. The amount of deferred tax asset realizable, however, could change if management’s estimate of future taxable income should change.
	Provisions of ASC 740-10 clarify whether or not to recognize assets or liabilities for tax positions taken that may be challenged by a tax authority. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, which is included in other long-term obligations on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, is as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	3,076		$	2,292		$	2,021
	Increases for tax positions of prior years		1,922			445			116
	Decreases for tax positions of prior years		(417	)		(166	)		(224	)
	Increases for tax positions related to current year		624			505			379
	Balance at end of period	$	5,205		$	3,076		$	2,292
	All of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized in future periods, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate in such future periods.
	The Company recognizes both interest and penalties as part of the income tax provision. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized approximately $37, $130 and $40 in interest and penalties, respectively. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, accrued interest and penalties were $1,643 and $1,052, respectively.
	The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and in various states and foreign countries. In the major jurisdictions where the Company operates, it is generally no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010. The Company does not anticipate any material change in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits to occur within the next twelve months.

NET_EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE

NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE [Abstract]
NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE	NOTE 9 - NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
	The following presents a reconciliation of the net earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted net earnings per common share:
	2014	Earnings		Number of Shares		Per Share Amount
		(Numerator)		(Denominator)
	Basic EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding	$	52,826		30,381,310	$	1.74
	Effect of dilutive securities – stock options and restricted stock				790,412
	Diluted EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding and effect of stock options and restricted stock	$	52,826		31,171,722	$	1.69
		Earnings		Number of Shares		Per Share Amount
	2013	(Numerator)		(Denominator)
	Basic EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding	$	44,874		29,623,952	$	1.51
	Effect of dilutive securities – stock options and restricted stock				1,223,183
	Diluted EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding and effect of stock options and restricted stock	$	44,874		30,847,135	$	1.45
		Earnings		Number of Shares		Per Share Amount
	2012	(Numerator)		(Denominator)
	Basic EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding	$	40,005		28,994,212	$	1.38
	Effect of dilutive securities – stock options and restricted stock				1,358,364
	Diluted EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding and effect of stock options and restricted stock	$	40,005		30,352,576	$	1.32
	The Company had 56,500, 10,000 and 282,027 stock options outstanding at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in future periods that were not included in diluted earnings per share because their effect on the period presented was anti-dilutive.
	The Company has some share-based payment awards that have non-forfeitable dividend rights. These awards are restricted shares and they participate on a one-for-one basis with holders of Common Stock. These awards have an immaterial impact as participating securities with regard to the calculation using the two-class method for determining earnings per share.

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS [Abstract]
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS	NOTE 10 - EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	The Company sponsors two 401(k) savings plans for eligible employees. The plans allows participants to make pretax contributions and the Company matches certain percentages of those pretax contributions. One of the plans has a discretionary profit sharing portion and the Company match is made with shares of the Company’s Common Stock. All amounts contributed to the plan are deposited into a trust fund administered by independent trustees. The plans were merged in January 2015. The Company provided for profit sharing contributions and matching 401(k) savings plan contributions of $938 and $804 in 2014, $918 and $525 in 2013 and $837 and $508 in 2012, respectively.
	The Company also provides postretirement benefits in the form of an unfunded retirement medical plan under a collective bargaining agreement covering eligible retired employees of the Verona facility. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its postretirement medical plan. In accordance with ASC 715, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits,” the Company is required to recognize the over funded or under funded status of a defined benefit post retirement plan (other than a multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position, and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.
	The actuarial recorded liabilities for such unfunded postretirement benefit is as follows:
	Change in benefit obligation:
		2014				2013
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	1,152			$	1,301
	Service cost with interest to end of year		57				67
	Interest cost		48				42
	Participant contributions		3				1
	Benefits paid*		42				(97	)
	Actuarial gain		(191	)			(162	)
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	1,111			$	1,152
	Change in plan assets:
		2014				2013
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	-			$	-
	Employer (reimbursement)/contributions*		(45	)			96
	Participant contributions		3				1
	Benefits paid*		42				(97	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	-			$	-
	*Stop loss reimbursement credit received in 2014.
	Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheet:
		2014				2013
	Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$	(1,111	)		$	(1,152	)
	Fair value of plan assets		-				-
	Funded status		(1,111	)			(1,152	)
	Unrecognized prior service cost		N/	A			N/	A
	Unrecognized net (gain)/loss		N/	A			N/	A
	Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheet (after ASC 715) (included in other long-term obligations)	$	1,111			$	1,152
	Accrued postretirement benefit cost (included in other long-term obligations)	$	N/	A		$	N/	A
	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
		2014				2013				2012
	Service cost with interest to end of year	$	57			$	67			$	53
	Interest cost		48				42				41
	Amortization of prior service credit		(18	)			(18	)			(18	)
	Amortization of gain		6				17				4
	Total net periodic benefit cost	$	93			$	108			$	80
	Estimated future employer contributions and benefit payments are as follows:
	Year
	2015	$	21
	2016		34
	2017		45
	2018		75
	2019		101
	Years 2020-2024		407
	Assumed health care cost trend rates have been used in the valuation of postretirement health insurance benefits. The trend rate is 7.55% in 2014 declining to 4.50% in 2027 and thereafter. A one percentage point increase in health care cost trend rates in each year would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2014 by $122 and the net periodic postretirement benefit cost for 2014 by $15. A one percentage point decrease in health care cost trend rates in each year would decrease the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of December 31, 2014 by $106 and the net periodic postretirement benefit cost for 2014 by $13. The weighted average discount rate used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation was 3.30% in 2014 and 4.20% in 2013.
	The Company contributes to one multiemployer defined benefit plan under the terms of a collective-bargaining agreement covering its union-represented employees of the Verona facility. The risks of participation in this multiemployer plan are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects: (a) assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers, (b) if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers, and (c) if the Company chooses to stop participating in its multiemployer plan, the Company will be required to pay that plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as the withdrawal liability.
	The Company’s participation in this plan for the annual period ended December 31, 2014 is outlined in the table below. The “EIN/Pension Plan Number” column provides the Employee Identification Number (EIN). The zone status is based on information that the Company received from the plan and is certified by the plan’s actuary. Among other factors, plans in the red zone are generally less than 65 percent funded, plans in the yellow zone are less than 80 percent funded, and plans in the green zone are at least 80 percent funded. The “FIP/RP Status Pending/Implemented” column indicates plans for which a financial improvement plan (FIP) or a rehabilitation plan (RP) is either pending or has been implemented. The last column lists the expiration date of the collective-bargaining agreement to which the plan is subject. Finally, the period-to-period comparability of the contributions for 2014 and 2013 was affected by a 4.5% increase in the number of employees covered by the Company’s multiemployer plan as well as a 4.0% increase in the 2014 contribution rate. There have been no other significant changes that affect the comparability of 2014 and 2013 contributions. The Company does not represent more than 5% of the contributions to this pension fund.
		EIN/Pension Plan		Pension Plan Protection Act Zone Status				Contributions of Balchem Corporation								Surcharge Imposed		Expiration Date of Collective-Bargaining Agreement
	Pension Fund	Number				FIP/RP Status Pending/
				2014	2013	Implemented		2014				2013		2012
	Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas	36-6044243		Red as of 1/1/2014	Red as of 1/1/2013	Implemented		$	498			$	451	$	415		-	5/31/17

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	NOTE 11 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	In 2012, the Company entered into a six (6) year lease extension for approximately 20,000 square feet of office space. The office space serves as the Company’s general offices and as a laboratory facility. The Company leases most of its vehicles and office equipment under non-cancelable operating leases, which expire at various times through 2029. Rent expense charged to operations under such lease agreements for 2014, 2013 and 2012 aggregated approximately $1,595, $1,040 and $965, respectively. Aggregate future minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Year
	2015	$	1,811
	2016		1,430
	2017		1,170
	2018		923
	2019		448
	Thereafter		2,103
	Total minimum lease payments	$	7,885
	In 1982, the Company discovered and thereafter removed a number of buried drums containing unidentified waste material from the Company’s site in Slate Hill, New York. The Company thereafter entered into a Consent Decree to evaluate the drum site with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (“NYDEC”) and performed a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study that was approved by NYDEC in February 1994. Based on NYDEC requirements, the Company cleaned the area and removed soil from the drum burial site, which was completed in 1996. The Company continues to be involved in discussions with NYDEC to evaluate test results and determine what, if any, additional actions will be required on the part of the Company to close out the remediation of this site. Additional actions, if any, would likely require the Company to continue monitoring the site. The cost of such monitoring has been less than $5 per year for the period 2004 to date.
	The Company’s Verona, Missouri facility, while held by a prior owner, was designated by the EPA as a Superfund site and placed on the National Priorities List in 1983, because of dioxin contamination on portions of the site. Remediation conducted by the prior owner under the oversight of the EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (“MDNR”) included removal of dioxin contaminated soil and equipment, capping of areas of residual contamination in four relatively small areas of the site separate from the manufacturing facilities, and the installation of wells to monitor groundwater and surface water contamination by organic chemicals. No ground water or surface water treatment was required. The Company believes that remediation of the site is complete. In 1998, the EPA certified the work on the contaminated soils to be complete. In February 2000, after the conclusion of two years of monitoring groundwater and surface water, the former owner submitted a draft third party risk assessment report to the EPA and MDNR recommending no further action. The prior owner is awaiting the response of the EPA and MDNR to the draft risk assessment.
	While the Company must maintain the integrity of the capped areas in the remediation areas on the site, the prior owner is responsible for completion of any further Superfund remedy. The Company is indemnified by the sellers under its May 2001 asset purchase agreement covering its acquisition of the Verona, Missouri facility for potential liabilities associated with the Superfund site and one of the sellers, in turn, has the benefit of certain contractual indemnification by the prior owner that is implementing the above-described Superfund remedy.
	From time to time, the Company is a party to various litigation, claims and assessments.  Management believes that the ultimate outcome of such matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

FAIR_VALUE_OF_FINANCIAL_INSTRU

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS	NOTE 12 – FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	The Company has a number of financial instruments, none of which are held for trading purposes. The Company estimates that the fair value of all financial instruments at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 does not differ materially from the aggregate carrying values of its financial instruments recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is necessarily required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value, and, accordingly, the estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The carrying value of debt approximates fair value as the interest rate is based on market and the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The Company’s financial instruments, also include cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and carried at cost which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 and 2013, includes $772 and $50,764 in money market funds, respectively and $-0- and $109,000 in certificates of deposits, respectively. The money market funds and certificates of deposit are valued using level one and level two inputs, respectively, as defined by ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement.”

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME	NOTE 13 – ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2013-02”). This guidance is the culmination of the FASB’s deliberation on reporting reclassification adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The amendments in ASU 2013-02 do not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income. However, the amendments require disclosure of amounts reclassified out of AOCI in its entirety, by component, on the face of the statement of operations or in the notes thereto. Amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income must be cross-referenced to other disclosures that provide additional detail. This standard is effective prospectively for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. Other than the additional disclosure requirements (see below), the adoption of these changes had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:
		Years Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Net foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(2,972	)	$	856		$	342
	Net change in postretirement benefit plan (see Note 10 for further information)
	Net (loss)/gain arising during the period		191			162			(235	)
	Amortization of prior service credit		(18	)		(18	)		(18	)
	Amortization of (loss)/gain		6			17			4
	Total before tax		179			161			(249	)
	Tax		(56	)		(60	)		86
	Net of tax		123			101			(163	)
	Total other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(2,849	)	$	957		$	179

SEGMENT_INFORMATION

SEGMENT INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
SEGMENT INFORMATION	NOTE 14 - SEGMENT INFORMATION
	The Company’s reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer products and services to different markets. The Company presently has three segments: SensoryEffects; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Our SensoryEffects segment supplies ingredients in the food and beverage industry; providing customized solutions in powder and liquid flavor delivery systems, spray dried emulsified powder systems, and cereal systems. This segment provides microencapsulation solutions to a variety of applications in food, pharmaceutical and nutritional ingredients to enhance performance of nutritional fortification, processing and packaging applications and shelf-life. Human grade choline, pharmaceutical products and encapsulated products are also reported in the SensoryEffects segment. The Animal Nutrition & Health segment manufactures and supplies choline chloride, an essential nutrient for animal health, to the poultry, pet and swine industries. In addition, certain derivatives of choline chloride are manufactured and sold into industrial applications and are included in this segment. Chelated minerals and specialty nutritional products for the animal health industry are also reported in this segment. The Specialty Products segment provides specialty-packaged chemicals for use in healthcare and other industries. The Company sells products for all segments through its own sales force, independent distributors, and sales agents. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
	Business Segment Net Sales:
		2014			2013		2012
	Specialty Products		54,053		$	51,086	$	49,990
	SensoryEffects		206,101			47,569		44,070
	Animal Nutrition & Health		281,229			238,518		216,333
	Total		541,383		$	337,173	$	310,393
	Business Segment Earnings Before Income Taxes:
		2014			2013		2012
	Specialty Products	$	21,316		$	20,224	$	20,332
	SensoryEffects		21,260			11,233		11,335
	Animal Nutrition & Health		40,219			34,145		28,110
	Transaction costs, integration costs and legal settlement		(652	)		-		-
	Interest and other income, net		(5,091	)		216		67
	Total	$	77,052		$	65,818	$	59,844
	Depreciation/Amortization:
		2014			2013		2012
	Specialty Products	$	1,330		$	1,386	$	1,369
	SensoryEffects		21,031			1,356		1,444
	Animal Nutrition & Health		7,706			7,732		6,828
	Total	$	30,067		$	10,474	$	9,641
	Business Segment Assets:
		2014			2013		2012
	Specialty Products	$	24,913		$	24,850	$	26,964
	SensoryEffects		655,870			22,343		21,393
	Animal Nutrition & Health		122,980			116,710		116,035
	Other Unallocated		57,508			212,969		148,153
	Total	$	861,271		$	376,872	$	312,545
	Other unallocated assets consist of certain cash, receivables, prepaid expenses, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation, and deferred income taxes, which the Company does not allocate to its individual business segments.
	Capital Expenditures:
		2014			2013		2012
	Specialty Products	$	896		$	725	$	836
	SensoryEffects		3,342			1,318		924
	Animal Nutrition & Health		8,961			6,144		12,123
	Total	$	13,199		$	8,187	$	13,883
	Geographic Revenue Information:
		2014			2013		2012
	United States	$	420,324		$	227,651	$	207,490
	Foreign Countries		121,059			109,522		102,903
	Total	$	541,383		$	337,173	$	310,393
	Geographic Area Data – Long-Lived Assets (excluding intangible assets):
		2014			2013		2012
	United States	$	121,090		$	43,078	$	41,183
	Italy		10,498			11,838		11,542
	Total	$	131,588		$	54,916	$	52,725

SUPPLEMENTAL_CASH_FLOW_INFORMA

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION	NOTE 15 - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
	Cash paid during the year for:
		2014		2013		2012
	Income taxes	$	25,304	$	12,096	$	14,836
	Interest	$	4,685	$	40	$	6
	Non-cash financing activities:
		2014		2013		2012
	Dividends payable	$	9,251	$	7,856	$	-

QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_INFORMATIO

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) [Abstract]
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)	NOTE 16 - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
	(In thousands, except per share data)
		2014								2013
		First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter		First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	Net sales	$	85,995	$	132,230	$	160,490	$	162,668	$	84,651	$	83,296	$	87,593	$	81,633
	Gross profit		23,215		32,335		44,487		44,135		24,232		24,885		24,522		23,782
	Earnings before income taxes		13,372		15,291		23,209		25,180		15,863		16,682		17,060		16,213
	Net earnings		8,894		9,732		15,178		19,022		10,888		11,582		11,657		10,747
	Basic net earnings per common share	$	0.3	$	0.32	$	0.5	$	0.62	$	0.37	$	0.39	$	0.39	$	0.36
	Diluted net earnings per common share	$	0.29	$	0.31	$	0.49	$	0.61	$	0.36	$	0.38	$	0.38	$	0.35

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	BALCHEM CORPORATION
	Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
	Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012
	(In thousands)
	Description	Balance at Beginning of Year		Additions Charged (Credited) to Costs and Expenses		Deductions			Balance at End of Year
	Year ended December 31, 2014
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	115	$	238	$	(65	)(a)	$	288
	Inventory reserve		181		-		-			181
	Year ended December 31, 2013
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	115	$	-	$	-		$	115
	Inventory reserve		236		97		(152	)(a)		181
	Year ended December 31, 2012
	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	58	$	57	$	-		$	115
	Inventory reserve		132		142		(38	)(a)		236
	(a)  represents write-offs.

BUSINESS_DESCRIPTION_AND_SUMMA1

BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue for each of our business segments is recognized upon product shipment, passage of title and risk of loss, and when collection is reasonably assured. The Company reports amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling as revenue and includes costs incurred for shipping and handling in cost of sales. Amounts received for unshipped merchandise are not recognized as revenue but rather they are recorded as customer deposits and are included in current liabilities. In instances of shipments made on consignment, revenue is deferred until a customer indicates to the Company that it has used the Company’s products. The Company does not charge its customers rental fees on cylinders or drums used to ship its products.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company has funds in its cash accounts that are with third party financial institutions, primarily in certificates of deposit and money market funds. The Company’s U.S. cash balances at these financial institutions exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable
	Credit terms are granted in the normal course of business to our customers. On-going credit evaluations are performed on our customers and credit limits are adjusted based upon payment history and the customer's current credit worthiness, as determined through review of their current credit information. Collections and payments from customers are continuously monitored and allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments are maintained. Estimated losses are based on historical experience and any specific customer collection issues identified.
Inventories	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first in, first out or average) or market value and have been reduced by an allowance for excess or obsolete inventories. Cost elements include material, labor and manufacturing overhead.
Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation	Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation
	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
	Buildings	15-25 years
	Equipment	2-28 years
	Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense. Alterations and major overhauls that extend the lives or increase the capacity of plant assets are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost of the assets and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resultant gain or loss is included in earnings.
Business Concentrations	Business Concentrations
	Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk consist primarily of certificates of deposit, money market investments and accounts receivable. Investments are managed within established guidelines to mitigate risks. Accounts receivable subject the Company to credit risk partially due to the concentration of amounts due from customers. The Company extends credit to its customers based upon an evaluation of the customers’ financial condition and credit histories. The majority of the Company’s customers are major national or international corporations. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, no customer accounted for more than 10% of total net sales.
Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other,” requires the use of the acquisition method of accounting for a business combination and defines an intangible asset. Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a business combination and determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but are instead assessed for impairment annually and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 350. The Company performs its annual test as of October 1. ASC 350 also requires that intangible assets with estimable useful lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.
	As of December 31, 2012, the Company adopted ASU No. 2011-08, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment” (“ASU 2011-08”). The Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is “more likely than not” (i.e. a likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair values of our reporting units are less than their respective carrying amounts, including goodwill, as a basis for determining whether it  is necessary to perform the two step goodwill impairment test.  If determined to be necessary, the two step impairment test shall be used to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of a goodwill impairment loss to be recognized (if any). The Company has an unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the goodwill impairment test.
	As of October 1, 2014 and 2013, the Company opted to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceeded directly to performing the first step of the goodwill impairment test. We assessed the fair values of our reporting units by utilizing the income approach, based on a discounted cash flow valuation model as the basis for our conclusions.  Our estimates of future cash flows included significant management assumptions such as revenue growth rates, operating margins, discount rates, estimated terminal values and future economic and market conditions.  Our assessment concluded that the fair values of the three reporting units exceeded their carrying amounts, including goodwill. Accordingly, the goodwill of the three reporting units is not considered impaired. The Company may resume performing the qualitative assessment in subsequent periods.
	The Company had unamortized goodwill in the amount of $383,646 and $28,515 at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, subject to the provisions of ASC 350.  Unamortized goodwill is allocated to the Company’s reportable segments as follows:
			2014		2013
	Specialty Products		$	7,160	$	7,160
	SensoryEffects			363,524		8,393
	Animal Nutrition and Health			12,962		12,962
	Total		$	383,646	$	28,515
	The following intangible assets with finite lives are stated at cost and are amortized either on an accelerated basis or on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:
	Amortization Period
			(in years)
	Customer relationships and lists			10
	Trademarks & trade names			17
	Developed technology			5
	Regulatory registration costs			5 - 10
	Patents & trade secrets			15 - 17
	Other			5 - 10
	For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no triggering events which required asset impairment reviews.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	Management of the Company is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The Company has a number of financial instruments, none of which are held for trading purposes. The Company estimates that the fair value of all financial instruments at December 31, 2014 and 2013 does not differ materially from the aggregate carrying values of its financial instruments recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value amounts have been determined by the Company using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is necessarily required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value, and, accordingly, the estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The carrying value of debt approximates fair value as the interest rate is based on market and the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The Company’s financial instruments also includes cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and are carried at cost which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.
Cost of Sales	Cost of Sales
	Cost of sales are primarily comprised of raw materials and supplies consumed in the manufacture of product, as well as manufacturing labor, maintenance labor, depreciation expense, and direct overhead expense necessary to convert purchased materials and supplies into finished product. Cost of sales also includes inbound freight costs, outbound freight costs for shipping products to customers, warehousing costs, quality control and obsolescence expense.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
	Selling expenses consist primarily of compensation and benefit costs, amortization of customer relationships and lists, trade promotions, advertising, commissions and other marketing costs. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll and benefit costs, occupancy and operating costs of corporate offices, depreciation and amortization expense on non-manufacturing assets, information systems costs and other miscellaneous administrative costs. In 2014, general and administrative expenses were reduced by a $2.9 million net legal settlement.
Research and Development	Research and Development
	Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Net Earnings Per Common Share	Net Earnings Per Common Share
	Basic net earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per common share is calculated in a manner consistent with basic net earnings per common share except that the weighted average number of common shares outstanding also includes the dilutive effect of stock options outstanding and unvested restricted stock (using the treasury stock method).
Stock-based Compensation	Stock-based Compensation
	The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 3. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation,” which requires all share-based payments, including grants of stock options, to be recognized in the income statement as an operating expense, based on their fair values. The Company estimates the fair value of each option award on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes based option-pricing model. Estimates of and assumptions about forfeiture rates, terms, volatility, interest rates and dividend yields are used to calculate stock-based compensation. A significant change to these estimates could materially affect the Company’s operating results.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets	Impairment of Long-lived Assets
	Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, which is generally based on discounted cash flows.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial statements to conform to the current year’s presentation with no impact on net earnings or stockholders’ equity.

BUSINESS_DESCRIPTION_AND_SUMMA2

BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, estimated useful lives	Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of plant and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
	Buildings	15-25 years
	Equipment	2-28 years
Unamortized goodwill allocated to reportable segments	Unamortized goodwill is allocated to the Company’s reportable segments as follows:
			2014		2013
	Specialty Products		$	7,160	$	7,160
	SensoryEffects			363,524		8,393
	Animal Nutrition and Health			12,962		12,962
	Total		$	383,646	$	28,515
Intangible assets, estimated useful lives	The following intangible assets with finite lives are stated at cost and are amortized either on an accelerated basis or on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:
	Amortization Period
			(in years)
	Customer relationships and lists			10
	Trademarks & trade names			17
	Developed technology			5
	Regulatory registration costs			5 - 10
	Patents & trade secrets			15 - 17
	Other			5 - 10

ACQUISITION_Tables

ACQUISITION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
ACQUISITIONS [Abstract]
Estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed	The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,635
	Accounts receivable		25,674
	Inventories		32,000
	Property, plant and equipment		75,850
	Customer relationships		130,300
	Trade names		31,100
	Developed technology		3,200
	Other assets		3,955
	Indemnification asset		1,650
	Trade accounts payable		(10,427	)
	Accrued expenses		(6,326	)
	Bank debt		(75,550	)
	Deferred income taxes		(75,500	)
	Goodwill		355,131
	Amount paid to shareholders		493,692
	SensoryEffects bank debt paid on purchase date		75,550
	Total amount paid on acquisition date	$	569,242
Acquisition of unaudited pro forma information	The following unaudited pro forma information has been prepared as if the Acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2013.
		Year Ended					Year Ended
		31-Dec-14					31-Dec-13
		Net Sales			Net Earnings		Net Sales		Net Earnings
	SensoryEffects actual results included in the Company’s consolidated income statement from May 7, 2014 through December 31, 2014	$	156,192		$	6,632	$	-0-	$	-0-
	Supplemental pro forma combined financial information	$	625,400		$	61,730	$	545,592	$	41,603
	Basic earnings per share				$	2.03			$	1.4
	Diluted earnings per share				$	1.98			$	1.35

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Tables

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Effect of compensation cost on earnings	The Company’s results for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 reflected the following compensation cost as a result of adopting ASC 718 and such compensation cost had the following effects on net earnings:
			Increase/(Decrease) for the
			Years Ended December 31,
			2014				2013				2012
	Cost of sales		$	593			$	607			$	523
	Operating expenses			3,963				3,210				3,383
	Net earnings			(2,926	)			(2,370	)			(2,469	)
Assumptions used in the valuation of option awards	The fair value of each option award issued under the 1999 Stock Plan is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes based option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected term of the options is based on the Company’s historical experience of employees’ exercise behavior. Dividend yields are based on the Company’s historical dividend yields. Risk-free interest rates are based on the implied yields currently available on U.S. Treasury zero coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life.
			Years Ended
			2014				31-Dec-13				2012
	Weighted Average Assumptions:
	Expected Volatility			33.7	%			39.2	%			40.6	%
	Expected Term (in years)			5.6				5				4.6
	Risk-Free Interest Rate			1.8	%			1	%			0.7	%
	Dividend Yield			0.5	%			0.5	%			0.5	%
Summary of stock option activity	A summary of stock option plan activity for 2014, 2013, and 2012 for all plans is as follows:
			# of				Weighted Average
	2014		Shares				Exercise Price
			(000s)
	Outstanding at beginning of year			1,893			$	20.94
	Granted			313				53.38
	Exercised			(610	)			14.92
	Forfeited			(126	)			56.03
	Outstanding at end of year			1,470			$	27.35
	Exercisable at end of year			1,066			$	21.52
			# of				Weighted Average
	2013		Shares (000s)				Exercise Price
	Outstanding at beginning of year			2,543			$	16.87
	Granted			177				38.73
	Exercised			(796	)			11.4
	Forfeited			(31	)			33.9
	Outstanding at end of year			1,893			$	20.94
	Exercisable at end of year			1,516			$	17.64
			# of				Weighted Average
	2012		Shares (000s)				Exercise Price
	Outstanding at beginning of year			2,514			$	14.68
	Granted			276				30.35
	Exercised			(231	)			8.24
	Forfeited			(16	)			28.53
	Outstanding at end of year			2,543			$	16.87
	Exercisable at end of year			2,155			$	14.3
Other information pertaining to stock option activity	Other information pertaining to option activity during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
		Years Ended December 31,
		2014				2013				2012
	Weighted-average fair value of options granted		$	17.36			$	13.07			$	10.09
	Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised ($000s)		$	25,224			$	28,776			$	6,524
Additional information relating to stock options outstanding	Additional information related to stock options outstanding under all plans at December 31, 2014 is as follows:
						Options Outstanding						Options Exercisable
			Shares Outstanding (000s)			Weighted		Weighted Average Exercise				Number Exercisable (000s)		Weighted Average Exercise
	Range of Exercise Prices					Average		Price						Price
						Remaining
						Contractual
						Term
	$     9.21    -   $22.34			702		3.4 years		$	16.09				702	$	16.09
	24.95    -     32.21			401		6.5 years			30.68				322		31.08
	33.81    -     58.42			367		8.7 years			45.28				42		39.19
				1,470		5.6 years		$	27.35				1,066	$	21.52
Non-vested restricted stock activity	Non-vested restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is summarized below:
			Shares (000s)				Weighted Average Grant Date Fair
							Value
	Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2013			172			$	33.69
	Granted			33				54.86
	Vested			(65	)			34.19
	Forfeited			(6	)			45.32
	Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2014			134			$	38.13
			Shares (000s)				Weighted Average Grant Date Fair
							Value
	Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2012			258			$	26.88
	Granted			32				44.69
	Vested			(94	)			19.31
	Forfeited			(24	)			31.97
	Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2013			172			$	33.69
			Shares (000s)				Weighted Average Grant Date Fair
							Value
	Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2011			354			$	18.77
	Granted			91				32.72
	Vested			(187	)			14.38
	Forfeited			-				-
	Non-vested balance as of December 31, 2012			258			$	26.88

INVENTORIES_Tables

INVENTORIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories at December 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of the following:
		2014		2013
	Raw materials	$	19,822	$	8,454
	Work in progress		1,989		1,330
	Finished goods		27,812		15,040
	Total inventories	$	49,623	$	24,824

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_T

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment	Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are summarized as follows:
		2014		2013
	Land	$	3,130	$	2,054
	Building		31,030		19,732
	Equipment		150,170		86,147
	Construction in progress		10,969		1,754
			195,299		109,687
	Less: Accumulated depreciation		63,711		54,771
	Property, plant and equipment, net	$	131,588	$	54,916

INTANGIBLE_ASSETS_Tables

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
Schedule of intangible assets reconciliation of goodwill	Unamortized goodwill is allocated to the Company’s reportable segments as follows:
		2014		2013
	Specialty Products	$	7,160	$	7,160
	SensoryEffects		363,524		8,393
	Animal Nutrition and Health		12,962		12,962
	Total	$	383,646	$	28,515
Intangible assets with finite lives	As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had identifiable intangible assets as follows:
		Amortization		2014		2014		2013		2013
		Period		Gross		Accumulated Amortization		Gross		Accumulated Amortization
		(In years)		Carrying				Carrying
				Amount				Amount
	Customer relationships & lists		10	$	167,442	$	41,238	$	37,142	$	24,552
	Trademarks & trade names		17		32,014		2,540		910		461
	Developed technology		5		3,200		420		-0-		-0-
	Regulatory registration costs		10-May		1,704		667		1,644		514
	Patents & trade secrets		15-17		1,665		933		1,593		849
	Other		10-May		754		587		754		541
				$	206,779	$	46,385	$	42,043	$	26,917

LONGTERM_DEBT_Tables

LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
LONG TERM DEBT [Abstract]
Future minimum debt payments	The following table summarizes the future minimum debt payments:
		2015		2016		2017		2018		2019
	Current portion of long-term debt	$	35,000	-		-		-		-
	Long-term debt		-	$	35,000	$	35,000	$	35,000	$	192,500
	Total	$	35,000	$	35,000	$	35,000	$	35,000	$	192,500

INCOME_TAXES_Tables

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Income tax expense	Income tax expense consists of the following:
		2014			2013			2012
	Current:
	Federal	$	25,937		$	18,366		$	17,748
	Foreign		2,141			1,418			1,080
	State		2,412			1,475			1,104
	Deferred:
	Federal		(5,772	)		(75	)		(332	)
	Foreign		85			74			148
	State		(577	)		(314	)		91
	Total income tax provision	$	24,226		$	20,944		$	19,839
Income tax reconciliation	The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the Federal statutory rate of 35% to earnings before income tax expense due to the following:
		2014			2013			2012
	Income tax at Federal statutory rate	$	26,968		$	23,036		$	20,945
	State income taxes, net of Federal income taxes		1,182			908			659
	Domestic production activities deduction		(2,567	)		(1,804	)		(1,775	)
	Other		(1,357	)		(1,196	)		10
	Total income tax provision	$	24,226		$	20,944		$	19,839
Deferred tax assets and liabilities	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows:
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Inventories	$	1,774		$	608
	Restricted stock and stock options		4,716			4,590
	Other		4,019			758
	Total deferred tax assets		10,509			5,956
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Amortization	$	60,056		$	3,031
	Depreciation		17,969			6,978
	Prepaid expense		932			542
	Other		563			396
	Total deferred tax liabilities		79,520			10,947
	Net deferred tax liability	$	69,011		$	4,991
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, which is included in other long-term obligations on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, is as follows:
		2014			2013			2012
	Balance at beginning of period	$	3,076		$	2,292		$	2,021
	Increases for tax positions of prior years		1,922			445			116
	Decreases for tax positions of prior years		(417	)		(166	)		(224	)
	Increases for tax positions related to current year		624			505			379
	Balance at end of period	$	5,205		$	3,076		$	2,292

NET_EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_

NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE [Abstract]
Reconciliation of the net earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted net earnings per share	The following presents a reconciliation of the net earnings and shares used in calculating basic and diluted net earnings per common share:
	2014	Earnings		Number of Shares		Per Share Amount
		(Numerator)		(Denominator)
	Basic EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding	$	52,826		30,381,310	$	1.74
	Effect of dilutive securities – stock options and restricted stock				790,412
	Diluted EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding and effect of stock options and restricted stock	$	52,826		31,171,722	$	1.69
		Earnings		Number of Shares		Per Share Amount
	2013	(Numerator)		(Denominator)
	Basic EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding	$	44,874		29,623,952	$	1.51
	Effect of dilutive securities – stock options and restricted stock				1,223,183
	Diluted EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding and effect of stock options and restricted stock	$	44,874		30,847,135	$	1.45
		Earnings		Number of Shares		Per Share Amount
	2012	(Numerator)		(Denominator)
	Basic EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding	$	40,005		28,994,212	$	1.38
	Effect of dilutive securities – stock options and restricted stock				1,358,364
	Diluted EPS – Net earnings and weighted average common shares outstanding and effect of stock options and restricted stock	$	40,005		30,352,576	$	1.32

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Tables

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS [Abstract]
Change in benefit obligation	Change in benefit obligation:
		2014				2013
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	1,152			$	1,301
	Service cost with interest to end of year		57				67
	Interest cost		48				42
	Participant contributions		3				1
	Benefits paid*		42				(97	)
	Actuarial gain		(191	)			(162	)
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	1,111			$	1,152
Change in plan assets	Change in plan assets:
		2014				2013
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	-			$	-
	Employer (reimbursement)/contributions*		(45	)			96
	Participant contributions		3				1
	Benefits paid*		42				(97	)
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	-			$	-
	*Stop loss reimbursement credit received in 2014.
Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheet	Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheet:
		2014				2013
	Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$	(1,111	)		$	(1,152	)
	Fair value of plan assets		-				-
	Funded status		(1,111	)			(1,152	)
	Unrecognized prior service cost		N/	A			N/	A
	Unrecognized net (gain)/loss		N/	A			N/	A
	Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheet (after ASC 715) (included in other long-term obligations)	$	1,111			$	1,152
	Accrued postretirement benefit cost (included in other long-term obligations)	$	N/	A		$	N/	A
Components of net periodic benefit cost	Components of net periodic benefit cost:
		2014				2013				2012
	Service cost with interest to end of year	$	57			$	67			$	53
	Interest cost		48				42				41
	Amortization of prior service credit		(18	)			(18	)			(18	)
	Amortization of gain		6				17				4
	Total net periodic benefit cost	$	93			$	108			$	80
Estimated future employer contributions and benefit payments	Estimated future employer contributions and benefit payments are as follows:
	Year
	2015	$	21
	2016		34
	2017		45
	2018		75
	2019		101
	Years 2020-2024		407
Pension fund disclosure		EIN/Pension Plan		Pension Plan Protection Act Zone Status				Contributions of Balchem Corporation								Surcharge Imposed		Expiration Date of Collective-Bargaining Agreement
	Pension Fund	Number				FIP/RP Status Pending/
				2014	2013	Implemented		2014				2013		2012
	Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas	36-6044243		Red as of 1/1/2014	Red as of 1/1/2013	Implemented		$	498			$	451	$	415		-	5/31/17

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
Aggregate future minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable operating leases	Aggregate future minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable operating leases at December 31, 2014 are as follows:
	Year
	2015	$	1,811
	2016		1,430
	2017		1,170
	2018		923
	2019		448
	Thereafter		2,103
	Total minimum lease payments	$	7,885

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV1

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:
		Years Ended
		December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Net foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(2,972	)	$	856		$	342
	Net change in postretirement benefit plan (see Note 10 for further information)
	Net (loss)/gain arising during the period		191			162			(235	)
	Amortization of prior service credit		(18	)		(18	)		(18	)
	Amortization of (loss)/gain		6			17			4
	Total before tax		179			161			(249	)
	Tax		(56	)		(60	)		86
	Net of tax		123			101			(163	)
	Total other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(2,849	)	$	957		$	179

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Tables

SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	The Company’s reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer products and services to different markets. The Company presently has three segments: SensoryEffects; Animal Nutrition & Health; and Specialty Products. Our SensoryEffects segment supplies ingredients in the food and beverage industry; providing customized solutions in powder and liquid flavor delivery systems, spray dried emulsified powder systems, and cereal systems. This segment provides microencapsulation solutions to a variety of applications in food, pharmaceutical and nutritional ingredients to enhance performance of nutritional fortification, processing and packaging applications and shelf-life. Human grade choline, pharmaceutical products and encapsulated products are also reported in the SensoryEffects segment. The Animal Nutrition & Health segment manufactures and supplies choline chloride, an essential nutrient for animal health, to the poultry, pet and swine industries. In addition, certain derivatives of choline chloride are manufactured and sold into industrial applications and are included in this segment. Chelated minerals and specialty nutritional products for the animal health industry are also reported in this segment. The Specialty Products segment provides specialty-packaged chemicals for use in healthcare and other industries. The Company sells products for all segments through its own sales force, independent distributors, and sales agents. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
	Business Segment Net Sales:
		2014			2013		2012
	Specialty Products		54,053		$	51,086	$	49,990
	SensoryEffects		206,101			47,569		44,070
	Animal Nutrition & Health		281,229			238,518		216,333
	Total		541,383		$	337,173	$	310,393
	Business Segment Earnings Before Income Taxes:
		2014			2013		2012
	Specialty Products	$	21,316		$	20,224	$	20,332
	SensoryEffects		21,260			11,233		11,335
	Animal Nutrition & Health		40,219			34,145		28,110
	Transaction costs, integration costs and legal settlement		(652	)		-		-
	Interest and other income, net		(5,091	)		216		67
	Total	$	77,052		$	65,818	$	59,844
	Depreciation/Amortization:
		2014			2013		2012
	Specialty Products	$	1,330		$	1,386	$	1,369
	SensoryEffects		21,031			1,356		1,444
	Animal Nutrition & Health		7,706			7,732		6,828
	Total	$	30,067		$	10,474	$	9,641
	Business Segment Assets:
		2014			2013		2012
	Specialty Products	$	24,913		$	24,850	$	26,964
	SensoryEffects		655,870			22,343		21,393
	Animal Nutrition & Health		122,980			116,710		116,035
	Other Unallocated		57,508			212,969		148,153
	Total	$	861,271		$	376,872	$	312,545
	Other unallocated assets consist of certain cash, receivables, prepaid expenses, equipment and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation, and deferred income taxes, which the Company does not allocate to its individual business segments.
	Capital Expenditures:
		2014			2013		2012
	Specialty Products	$	896		$	725	$	836
	SensoryEffects		3,342			1,318		924
	Animal Nutrition & Health		8,961			6,144		12,123
	Total	$	13,199		$	8,187	$	13,883
Geographic Revenue Information	Geographic Revenue Information:
		2014			2013		2012
	United States	$	420,324		$	227,651	$	207,490
	Foreign Countries		121,059			109,522		102,903
	Total	$	541,383		$	337,173	$	310,393
Geographic area data - long-lived assets (excluding intangible assets)	Geographic Area Data – Long-Lived Assets (excluding intangible assets):
		2014			2013		2012
	United States	$	121,090		$	43,078	$	41,183
	Italy		10,498			11,838		11,542
	Total	$	131,588		$	54,916	$	52,725

SUPPLEMENTAL_CASH_FLOW_INFORMA1

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION [Abstract]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	Cash paid during the year for:
		2014		2013		2012
	Income taxes	$	25,304	$	12,096	$	14,836
	Interest	$	4,685	$	40	$	6
	Non-cash financing activities:
		2014		2013		2012
	Dividends payable	$	9,251	$	7,856	$	-

QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_INFORMATIO1

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information	(In thousands, except per share data)
		2014								2013
		First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter		First Quarter		Second Quarter		Third Quarter		Fourth Quarter
	Net sales	$	85,995	$	132,230	$	160,490	$	162,668	$	84,651	$	83,296	$	87,593	$	81,633
	Gross profit		23,215		32,335		44,487		44,135		24,232		24,885		24,522		23,782
	Earnings before income taxes		13,372		15,291		23,209		25,180		15,863		16,682		17,060		16,213
	Net earnings		8,894		9,732		15,178		19,022		10,888		11,582		11,657		10,747
	Basic net earnings per common share	$	0.3	$	0.32	$	0.5	$	0.62	$	0.37	$	0.39	$	0.39	$	0.36
	Diluted net earnings per common share	$	0.29	$	0.31	$	0.49	$	0.61	$	0.36	$	0.38	$	0.38	$	0.35

BUSINESS_DESCRIPTION_AND_SUMMA3

BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
	Segment
Reporting Units [Abstract]
Number of reporting units	3
Selling, General and Administrative Expense [Abstract]
General and adminstrattive, net of legal settlement	$2,900,000
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	383,646,000	28,515,000
Customer Relationships and Lists [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	10 years
Developed Technology [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	5 years
Trademarks & Trade Names [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	17 years
Specialty Products [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	7,160,000	7,160,000
SensoryEffects [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	363,524,000	8,393,000
Animal Nutrition and Health [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$12,962,000	$12,962,000
Minimum [Member] | Regulatory Registration Costs [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	5 years
Minimum [Member] | Patents & Trade Secrets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	15 years
Minimum [Member] | Other [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Regulatory Registration Costs [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	10 years
Maximum [Member] | Patents & Trade Secrets [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	17 years
Maximum [Member] | Other [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization Period	10 years
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	15 years
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	25 years
Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	2 years
Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life	28 years

ACQUISITION_Details

ACQUISITION (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	8 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	7-May-14	Dec. 31, 2014
Estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed [Abstract]
Goodwill	$383,646,000	$28,515,000		$383,646,000
Unaudited pro forma information [Abstract]
SensoryEffects actual results included in the Company's consolidated income statement from May 7, 2014 through December 31, 2014, Net Sales	156,192,000	0
SensoryEffects actual results included in the Company's consolidated income statement from May 7, 2014 through December 31, 2014, Net earnings	6,632,000	0
Supplemental pro forma combined financial information, Net Sales	625,400,000	545,592,000
Supplemental pro forma combined financial information, Net Earnings	61,730,000	41,603,000
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$2.03	$1.40
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$1.98	$1.35
Performance Chemicals and Ingredients Company [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage owned of the "Acquisition" (in hundredth)			100.00%
Purchase price			569,000,000
Tax deductible for income tax purposes			20,466,000
Estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents			2,635,000
Accounts receivable			25,674,000
Inventories			32,000,000
Property, plant and equipment			75,850,000
Customer relationships			130,300,000
Trade names			31,100,000
Developed technology			3,200,000
Other assets			3,955,000
Indemnification asset			1,650,000
Trade accounts payable			-10,427,000
Accrued expenses			-6,326,000
Bank debt			-75,550,000
Deferred income taxes			-75,500,000
Goodwill			355,131,000
Amount paid to shareholders			493,692,000
SensoryEffects bank debt paid on purchase date			75,550,000
Total amount paid on acquisition date			569,242,000
Deferred income taxes and goodwill			2,000,000
Transaction and integration related costs	3,652,000
Unaudited pro forma information [Abstract]
Acquisition-related costs	17,248,000
Non-recurring expenses related to the fair value adjustments to acquisition-date inventory	4,735,000
Performance Chemicals and Ingredients Company [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed [Abstract]
Increase in indemnification asset balance				272,000
Performance Chemicals and Ingredients Company [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed [Abstract]
Increase in indemnification asset balance				$1,922,000
Performance Chemicals and Ingredients Company [Member] | Customer Relationships [Member]
Estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed [Abstract]
Useful life of intangible assets acquired	10 years
Performance Chemicals and Ingredients Company [Member] | Trade Names [Member]
Estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed [Abstract]
Useful life of intangible assets acquired	10 years
Performance Chemicals and Ingredients Company [Member] | Developed Technology [Member]
Estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed [Abstract]
Useful life of intangible assets acquired	5 years

STOCKHOLDERS_EQUITY_Details

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Increase in cash flows from financing activities , excess tax benefits related to stock compensation	$7,220	$9,397	$2,862
Number of share-based compensation plans	1
Non-vested Restricted Stock, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Share-based compensation expense expected to be recognized over the next fiscal year	4,900
Repurchase of common stock [Abstract]
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)	3,763,038
Number of shares acquired under stock repurchase plan (in shares)	2,105,231
Number of shares acquired under the stock repurchase plan and subsequently reissued (in shares)	17,497
Treasury stock acquired, average cost (in dollars per share)	$61.06
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Impact of compensation cost on net earnings	-2,926	-2,370	-2,469
Stock options outstanding by price range [Abstract]
Shares Outstanding (in shares)	1,470,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term of Options Outstanding	5 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$27.35
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	1,066,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$21.52
$9.21 - $22.34 [Member]
Stock options outstanding by price range [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, Minimum (in dollars per share)	$9.21
Range of Exercise Prices, Maximum (in dollars per share)	$22.34
Shares Outstanding (in shares)	702,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term of Options Outstanding	3 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$16.09
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	702,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$16.09
$24.95 - $32.21 [Member]
Stock options outstanding by price range [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, Minimum (in dollars per share)	$24.95
Range of Exercise Prices, Maximum (in dollars per share)	$32.21
Shares Outstanding (in shares)	401,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term of Options Outstanding	6 years 6 months
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$30.68
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	322,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$31.08
$33.81 - $58.42 [Member]
Stock options outstanding by price range [Abstract]
Range of Exercise Prices, Minimum (in dollars per share)	$33.81
Range of Exercise Prices, Maximum (in dollars per share)	$58.42
Shares Outstanding (in shares)	367,000
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term of Options Outstanding	8 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Outstanding (in dollars per share)	$45.28
Number of Options Exercisable (in shares)	42,000
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Options Exercisable (in dollars per share)	$39.19
Cost of Sales [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Impact of compensation cost on earnings component	593	607	523
Operating Expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items]
Impact of compensation cost on earnings component	3,963	3,210	3,383
Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares available for future awards (in shares)	4,064,576
Weighted Average Assumptions [Abstract]
Expected Volatility (in hundredths)	33.70%	39.20%	40.60%
Expected Term (in years)	5 years 7 months 6 days	5 years	4 years 7 months 6 days
Risk-Free Interest Rate (in hundredths)	1.80%	1.00%	0.70%
Dividend Yield (in hundredths)	0.50%	0.50%	0.50%
Vesting period	3 years
Stock Option Activity, Shares [Abstract]
Outstanding at beginning of year (in shares)	1,893,000	2,543,000	2,514,000
Granted (in shares)	313,000	177,000	276,000
Exercised (in shares)	-610,000	-796,000	-231,000
Forfeited (in shares)	-126,000	-31,000	-16,000
Outstanding at end of year (in shares)	1,470,000	1,893,000	2,543,000
Exercisable at end of year (in shares)	1,066,000	1,516,000	2,155,000
Stock Option Activity, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract]
Outstanding at beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$20.94	$16.87	$14.68
Granted (in dollars per share)	$53.38	$38.73	$30.35
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$14.92	$11.40	$8.24
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$56.03	$33.90	$28.53
Outstanding at end of year (in dollars per share)	$27.35	$20.94	$16.87
Exercisable at end of period (in dollars per share)	$21.52	$17.64	$14.30
Aggregate intrinsic value for outstanding stock options	57,742	71,465	49,845
Weighted average remaining contractual term for outstanding stock options	5 years 7 months 6 days
Aggregate intrinsic value for exercisable stock options outstanding	48,085
Weighted average remaining contractual term for exercisable stock options outstanding	4 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted-average fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)	$17.36	$13.07	$10.09
Total intrinsic value of stock options exercised	25,224	28,776	6,524
Restricted Stock [Member]
Non-vested Restricted Stock, Shares [Roll Forward]
Non-vested balance as of beginning of year (in shares)	172,000	258,000	354,000
Granted (in shares)	33,000	32,000	91,000
Vested (in shares)	-65,000	-94,000	-187,000
Forfeited (in shares)	-6,000	-24,000	0
Non-vested balance as of end of year (in shares)	134,000	172,000	258,000
Non-vested Restricted Stock, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Non-vested balance as of beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$33.69	$26.88	$18.77
Granted (in dollars per share)	$54.86	$44.69	$32.72
Vested (in dollars per share)	$34.19	$19.31	$14.38
Forfeited (in dollars per share)	$45.32	$31.97	$0
Non-vested balance as of end of year (in dollars per share)	$38.13	$33.69	$26.88
Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested shares	$5,981	$5,947	$7,012
Weighted-average period of recognition for unrecognized compensation cost	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Employee [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions [Abstract]
Vesting period	90 days
Minimum [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Non-employee Director [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions [Abstract]
Vesting period	4 years
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Employee [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions [Abstract]
Vesting period	4 years
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member] | Non-employee Director [Member]
Weighted Average Assumptions [Abstract]
Vesting period	7 years
1999 Stock Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Initial number of common stock shares reserved for issuance (in shares)	600,000
Increase in the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance (in shares)	600,000
1999 Stock Plan [Member] | Non-employee Director [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares purchased under restricted stock purchase agreements, minimum (in shares)	500
Shares purchased under restricted stock purchase agreements, maximum (in shares)	20,000
1999 Stock Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Percentage of option grants exercisable after one year (in hundredths)	20.00%
Percentage of option grants exercisable after two years (in hundredths)	60.00%
Percentage of option grants exercisable after three years (in hundredths)	100.00%
Expiration period of options granted	10 years
1999 Stock Plan [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares purchased under restricted stock purchase agreements, minimum (in shares)	1,000
Shares purchased under restricted stock purchase agreements, maximum (in shares)	20,250
Shares purchased under restricted stock purchase agreements, purchase price, minimum (in dollars per share)	$0.02
Shares purchased under restricted stock purchase agreements, purchase price, maximum (in dollars per share)	$0.07
Amended 1999 Stock Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Initial number of common stock shares reserved for issuance (in shares)	1,200,000
Second Amended 1999 Stock Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Initial number of common stock shares reserved for issuance (in shares)	6,000,000
ISO Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration period of options granted	10 years
Non-Qualified Plan [Member] | Stock Options [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expiration period of options granted	10 years

INVENTORIES_Details

INVENTORIES (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
INVENTORIES [Abstract]
Raw materials	$19,822	$8,454
Work in progress	1,989	1,330
Finished goods	27,812	15,040
Total inventories	49,623	24,824
Reserve for inventory	$1,682	$181

PROPERTY_PLANT_AND_EQUIPMENT_D

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$195,299	$109,687
Less: Accumulated depreciation	63,711	54,771
Property, plant and equipment, net	131,588	54,916
Depreciation expense	10,599	6,498	5,672
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,130	2,054
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	31,030	19,732
Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	150,170	86,147
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$10,969	$1,754

INTANGIBLE_ASSETS_Details

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract]
Goodwill	$383,646	$28,515
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	28,515
Goodwill as a result of the Acquisition of Performance Chemicals & Ingredients Company	355,131
Goodwill, Ending Balance	383,646	28,515
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	206,779	42,043
Accumulated Amortization	46,385	26,917
Amortization of identifiable finite-lived intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets	19,468	3,976	3,969
Finite-lived intangible assets, future amortization expense [Abstract]
2015	26,490
2016	24,300
2017	20,345
2018	18,085
2019	16,285
Indefinite-lived intangible assets	0	0
Customer Relationships and Lists [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Period	10 years	10 years
Gross Carrying Amount	167,442	37,142
Accumulated Amortization	41,238	24,552
Trademarks & Trade Names [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Period	17 years	17 years
Gross Carrying Amount	32,014	910
Accumulated Amortization	2,540	461
Developed Technology [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Period	5 years	5 years
Gross Carrying Amount	3,200	0
Accumulated Amortization	420	0
Regulatory Registration Costs [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,704	1,644
Accumulated Amortization	667	514
Regulatory Registration Costs [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Period	5 years	5 years
Regulatory Registration Costs [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Period	10 years	10 years
Patents & Trade Secrets [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,665	1,593
Accumulated Amortization	933	849
Patents & Trade Secrets [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Period	15 years	15 years
Patents & Trade Secrets [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Period	17 years	17 years
Other [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Gross Carrying Amount	754	754
Accumulated Amortization	$587	$541
Other [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Period	5 years	5 years
Other [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Identifiable intangible assets [Abstract]
Amortization Period	10 years	10 years

LONGTERM_DEBT_Details

LONG-TERM DEBT (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt outstanding		$332,500
Term loan quarterly payment	8,750
Maturity date		7-May-19
Term loan interest rate (in hundredth)		1.92%
Undrawn revolving loan		100,000
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2015	35,000	35,000
2016	35,000	35,000
2017	35,000	35,000
2018	35,000	35,000
2019	192,500	192,500
Capitalized costs net of accumulated amortization	2,139	2,139
Capitalized costs, other current assets	603	603
Capitalized costs, other assets	1,536	1,536
Amortization expense pertaining to Capitalized costs		457
Senior Secured Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of loan	350,000	350,000
Revolving Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount of loan	100,000	100,000
Revolving loan used for funding of acquisition and general corporate purposes		50,000
Current Portion of Long-term Debt [Member]
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2015	35,000	35,000
Long-term Debt [Member]
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2016	35,000	35,000
2017	35,000	35,000
2018	35,000	35,000
2019	$192,500	$192,500

INCOME_TAXES_Details

INCOME TAXES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current [Abstract]
Federal	$25,937	$18,366	$17,748
Foreign	2,141	1,418	1,080
State	2,412	1,475	1,104
Deferred [Abstract]
Federal	-5,772	-75	-332
Foreign	85	74	148
State	-577	-314	91
Total income tax provision	24,226	20,944	19,839
Federal statutory rate (in hundredths)	35.00%
Income tax reconciliation [Abstract]
Income tax at Federal statutory rate	26,968	23,036	20,945
State income taxes, net of Federal income taxes	1,182	908	659
Domestic production activities deduction	-2,567	-1,804	-1,775
Other	-1,357	-1,196	10
Total income tax provision	24,226	20,944	19,839
Deferred tax assets [Abstract]
Inventories	1,774	608
Restricted stock and stock options	4,716	4,590
Other	4,019	758
Total deferred tax assets	10,509	5,956
Deferred tax liabilities [Abstract]
Amortization	60,056	3,031
Depreciation	17,969	6,978
Prepaid expense	932	542
Other	563	396
Total deferred tax liabilities	79,520	10,947
Net deferred tax liability	69,011	4,991
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	0	0
Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	3,076	2,292	2,021
Increases for tax positions of prior years	1,922	445	116
Decreases for tax positions of prior years	-417	-166	-224
Increases for tax positions related to current year	624	505	379
Balance, end of period	5,205	3,076	2,292
Interest and penalties	37	130	40
Accrued interest and penalties	$1,643	$1,052

NET_EARNINGS_PER_COMMON_SHARE_1

NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (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 (Numerator) [Abstract]
Basic EPS - Net earnings									$52,826	$44,874	$40,005
Diluted EPS - Net earnings									$52,826	$44,874	$40,005
Number of Shares (Denominator) [Abstract]
Basic EPS - Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)									30,381,310	29,623,952	28,994,212
Effect of dilutive securities - stock options and restricted stock (in shares)									790,412	1,223,183	1,358,364
Diluted EPS - Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)									31,171,722	30,847,135	30,352,576
Per Share Amount [Abstract]
Basic EPS - Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$0.62	$0.50	$0.32	$0.30	$0.36	$0.39	$0.39	$0.37	$1.74	$1.51	$1.38
Diluted EPS - Net earnings (in dollars per share)	$0.61	$0.49	$0.31	$0.29	$0.35	$0.38	$0.38	$0.36	$1.69	$1.45	$1.32
Stock Options [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive stock options outstanding, excluded from diluted earnings per share calculation (in shares)									56,500	10,000	282,027

EMPLOYEE_BENEFIT_PLANS_Details

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
	Plan
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS [Abstract]
Number of savings plan	2
Provision for profit sharing contributions	$938		$918		$837
Provision for matching 401(k) savings plan contributions	804		525		508
Change in benefit obligation [Roll Forward]
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	1,152		1,301
Service cost with interest to end of year	57		67		53
Interest cost	48		42		41
Participant contributions	3		1
Benefits paid	42	[1]	-97	[1]
Actuarial gain	-191		-162
Benefit obligation at end of year	1,111		1,152		1,301
Change in plan assets [Roll Forward]
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	0		0
Employer (reimbursement)/contributions	-45	[1]	96	[1]
Participant contributions	3		1
Benefits paid	42	[1]	-97	[1]
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	0		0		0
Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheet [Abstract]
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	-1,111		-1,152
Fair value of plan assets	0		0		0
Funded status	-1,111		-1,152
Unrecognized prior service cost
Unrecognized net (gain)/loss
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheet (after ASC 715) (included in other long-term obligations)	1,111		1,152
Accrued postretirement benefit cost (included in other long-term obligations)
Components of net periodic benefit cost [Abstract]
Service cost with interest to end of year	57		67		53
Interest cost	48		42		41
Amortization of prior service credit	-18		-18		-18
Amortization of gain	6		17		4
Total net periodic benefit cost	93		108		80
Estimated future employer contributions and benefit payments [Abstract]
2015	21
2016	34
2017	45
2018	75
2019	101
Years 2020-2024	407
Assumed health care cost trend rates [Abstract]
Trend rate assumed for next fiscal year (in hundredths)	7.55%
Ultimate health care cost trend rate (in hundredths)	4.50%
Year that rate reaches ultimate trend rate	2027
Effect of one percentage point increase in health care cost trend rates on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	122
Effect of one percentage point increase in health care cost trend rates on net periodic postretirement benefit cost	15
Effect of one percentage point decrease in health care cost trend rates on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	106
Effect of one percentage point decrease in health care cost trend rates on net periodic postretirement benefit cost	13
Weighted average discount rate used in determining the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (in hundredths)	3.30%		4.20%
Pension fund [Abstract]
Percentage that plans in the red zone are generally funded, maximum (in hundredths)	65.00%
Percentage that plans in the yellow zone are generally funded, maximum (in hundredths)	80.00%
Percentage that plans in the green zone are generally funded, minimum (in hundredths)	80.00%
Increase in number of covered employees (in hundredths)	4.50%
Increase in the 2014 contribution rate (in hundredths)	4.00%
Contributions to multiemployer pension fund as a percentage of total contributions to fund, maximum (in hundredths)	5.00%
Contributions of Balchem Corporation	498		451		415
Surcharge Imposed	$0
Expiration Date of collective-Bargaining Agreement	31-May-17
[1]	Stop loss reimbursement credit received in 2014.

COMMITMENTS_AND_CONTINGENCIES_1

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2008	Dec. 31, 2007	Dec. 31, 2006	Dec. 31, 2005	Dec. 31, 2004
	Area
	sqft
	Seller
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]
Operating lease term	6 years
Office space subject to operating lease	20,000
Rent expense charged to operations	$1,595	$1,040	$965
Aggregate future minimum rental payments required under non-cancelable operating leases [Abstract]
2015	1,811
2016	1,430
2017	1,170
2018	923
2019	448
Thereafter	2,103
Total minimum lease payments	7,885
Slate Hill, New York site [Abstract]
Annual monitoring costs, maximum	$5	$5	$5	$5	$5	$5	$5	$5	$5	$5	$5
Verona, Missouri facility [Abstract]
Number of areas of the site in which capping of areas of residual contamination was performed	4
Monitoring period for groundwater and surface water prior to submission of risk assessment report	2 years
Number of sellers who have the benefit of certain contractual indemnification by the prior owner	1

FAIR_VALUE_OF_FINANCIAL_INSTRU1

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Certificates of Deposit [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$0	$109,000
Money Market Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$772	$50,764

ACCUMULATED_OTHER_COMPREHENSIV2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) [Abstract]
Net foreign currency translation adjustment	($2,972)	$856	$342
Net change in postretirement benefit plan (see Note 10 for further information) [Abstract]
Net (loss)/gain arising during the period	191	162	-235
Amortization of prior service credit	-18	-18	-18
Amortization of (loss)/gain	6	17	4
Total before tax	179	161	-249
Tax	-56	-60	86
Net of tax	123	101	-163
Other comprehensive income (loss)	($2,849)	$957	$179

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Details

SEGMENT INFORMATION (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
SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]
Number of operating segments									3
Segment reporting information, by segment [Abstract]
Net sales	$162,668	$160,490	$132,230	$85,995	$81,633	$87,593	$83,296	$84,651	$541,383	$337,173	$310,393
Earnings before income taxes	25,180	23,209	15,291	13,372	16,213	17,060	16,682	15,863	77,052	65,818	59,844
Transaction costs, integration costs and legal settlement									-652	0	0
Interest and other income, net									-5,091	216	67
Depreciation and amortization									30,067	10,474	9,641
Total assets	861,271				376,872				861,271	376,872	312,545
Capital expenditures									13,199	8,187	13,883
Specialty Products [Member] | Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment reporting information, by segment [Abstract]
Net sales									54,053	51,086	49,990
Earnings before income taxes									21,316	20,224	20,332
Depreciation and amortization									1,330	1,386	1,369
Total assets	24,913				24,850				24,913	24,850	26,964
Capital expenditures									896	725	836
Sensory Effects [Member] | Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment reporting information, by segment [Abstract]
Net sales									206,101	47,569	44,070
Earnings before income taxes									21,260	11,233	11,335
Depreciation and amortization									21,031	1,356	1,444
Total assets	655,870				22,343				655,870	22,343	21,393
Capital expenditures									3,342	1,318	924
Animal Nutrition and Health [Member] | Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment reporting information, by segment [Abstract]
Net sales									281,229	238,518	216,333
Earnings before income taxes									40,219	34,145	28,110
Depreciation and amortization									7,706	7,732	6,828
Total assets	122,980				116,710				122,980	116,710	116,035
Capital expenditures									8,961	6,144	12,123
Other Unallocated [Member]
Segment reporting information, by segment [Abstract]
Total assets	$57,508				$212,969				$57,508	$212,969	$148,153

SEGMENT_INFORMATION_Geographic

SEGMENT INFORMATION, Geographic Revenue Information and Geographic Area Data - Long-Lived Assets (Excluding Intangible Assets) (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
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales	$162,668	$160,490	$132,230	$85,995	$81,633	$87,593	$83,296	$84,651	$541,383	$337,173	$310,393
Long-lived assets, excluding intangible assets [Abstract]
Long-lived assets, excluding intangible assets	131,588				54,916				131,588	54,916	52,725
United States [Member] | Reportable Geographical Components [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									420,324	227,651	207,490
Long-lived assets, excluding intangible assets [Abstract]
Long-lived assets, excluding intangible assets	121,090				43,078				121,090	43,078	41,183
Foreign Countries [Member] | Reportable Geographical Components [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Net sales									121,059	109,522	102,903
Italy [Member] | Reportable Geographical Components [Member]
Long-lived assets, excluding intangible assets [Abstract]
Long-lived assets, excluding intangible assets	$10,498				$11,838				$10,498	$11,838	$11,542

SUPPLEMENTAL_CASH_FLOW_INFORMA2

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash paid during the year for [Abstract]
Income taxes	$25,304	$12,096	$14,836
Interest	4,685	40	6
Non-cash financing activities [Abstract]
Dividends payable	$9,251	$7,856	$0

QUARTERLY_FINANCIAL_INFORMATIO2

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (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 FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) [Abstract]
Net sales	$162,668	$160,490	$132,230	$85,995	$81,633	$87,593	$83,296	$84,651	$541,383	$337,173	$310,393
Gross profit	44,135	44,487	32,335	23,215	23,782	24,522	24,885	24,232	144,172	97,421	89,539
Earnings before income taxes	25,180	23,209	15,291	13,372	16,213	17,060	16,682	15,863	77,052	65,818	59,844
Net earnings	$19,022	$15,178	$9,732	$8,894	$10,747	$11,657	$11,582	$10,888	$52,826	$44,874	$40,005
Basic net earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.62	$0.50	$0.32	$0.30	$0.36	$0.39	$0.39	$0.37	$1.74	$1.51	$1.38
Diluted net earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.61	$0.49	$0.31	$0.29	$0.35	$0.38	$0.38	$0.36	$1.69	$1.45	$1.32

Schedule_II_Valuation_and_Qual1

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) (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]
Balance at Beginning of Year	$115		$115		$58
Additions Charged (Credited) to Costs and Expenses	238		0		57
Deductions	-65	[1]	0		0
Balance at End of Year	288		115		115
Inventory Reserve [Member]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance at Beginning of Year	181		236		132
Additions Charged (Credited) to Costs and Expenses	2,073		97		142
Deductions	-572	[1]	-152	[1]	-38	[1]
Balance at End of Year	$1,682		$181		$236
[1]	represents write-offs