Stepan (SCL) 10-K 26 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Trading Symbol	'SCL	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'STEPAN CO	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000094049	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	22,337,638	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$1,114,938,768

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net Sales (Note 1)	$1,880,786	$1,803,737	$1,843,092
Cost of Sales	1,599,101	1,512,184	1,587,539
Gross Profit	281,685	291,553	255,553
Operating Expenses:	'	'	'
Selling (Note 1)	53,229	53,145	45,807
Administrative (Note 1)	71,454	63,979	50,766
Research, development and technical services (Note 1)	46,809	45,713	40,524
Total Operating expenses	171,492	162,837	137,097
Business Restructuring (Note 21)	1,040	'	'
Operating Income	109,153	128,716	118,456
Other Income (Expense):	'	'	'
Interest, net (Note 7)	-10,358	-9,599	-9,095
Loss from equity in joint ventures (Note 1)	-5,336	-4,724	-3,616
Other, net (Note 9)	2,171	1,329	-851
Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total	-13,523	-12,994	-13,562
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	95,630	115,722	104,894
Provision for Income Taxes (Note 10)	23,293	36,035	32,292
Net Income	72,337	79,687	72,602
Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests (Note 1)	491	-291	-626
Net Income Attributable to Stepan Company	$72,828	$79,396	$71,976
Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Stepan Company (Note 19):	'	'	'
Basic	$3.22	$3.71	$3.44
Diluted	$3.18	$3.49	$3.21
Shares Used to Compute Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Stepan Company (Note 19):	'	'	'
Basic	22,621	21,273	20,726
Diluted	22,924	22,730	22,440

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$72,337	$79,687	$72,602
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustments (Note 20)	-8,034	6,101	-12,523
Defined benefit pension plans:	'	'	'
Net actuarial loss arising in period (net of taxes of $7,783, $2,568, $3,617 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	13,417	-5,387	-5,259
Amortization of prior service cost included in pension expense (net of taxes of $6, $5, $6 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	13	13	13
Amortization of actuarial loss included in pension expense (net of taxes of $2,015, $1,371, $1,154 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	3,395	2,261	1,913
Amortization of transition obligation included in pension expense (net of taxes of $1, $5, $8 for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	1	13	19
Net defined benefit pension plan activity (Note 20)	16,826	-3,100	-3,314
Cash flow hedges:	'	'	'
Gains (losses) arising in period (net of taxes of $0, $16, $12 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively)	-32	116	-1
Reclassifications to income in period (net of taxes of $14 and $8 in 2013 and 2012, respectively)	13	19	'
Net cash flow hedge activity (Note 20)	-19	135	-1
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	8,773	3,136	-15,838
Comprehensive Income	81,110	82,823	56,764
Comprehensive (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests	440	-389	-674
Comprehensive Income Attributable to Stepan Company	$81,550	$82,434	$56,090

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net actuarial loss arising in period, tax	$7,783	$2,568	$3,617
Amortization of prior service cost included in pension expense, tax	6	5	6
Amortization of actuarial loss included in pension expense, tax	2,015	1,371	1,154
Amortization of transition obligation included in pension expense, tax	1	5	8
Gains (losses) arising in period, tax	0	16	12
Reclassifications to income in period, tax	$14	$8	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$133,347	$76,875
Receivables, less allowances of $5,945 in 2013 and $5,533 in 2012	265,721	255,858
Inventories (Note 6)	172,368	162,013
Deferred income taxes (Note 10)	12,637	9,876
Other current assets	24,477	18,456
Total current assets	608,550	523,078
Property, Plant and Equipment:	'	'
Land	13,008	11,942
Buildings and improvements	162,199	151,831
Machinery and equipment	1,085,763	969,603
Construction in progress	55,529	66,979
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	1,316,499	1,200,355
Less: accumulated depreciation	822,457	778,333
Property, plant and equipment, net	494,042	422,022
Goodwill, net (Note 5)	11,726	7,199
Other intangible assets, net (Note 5)	23,669	8,778
Long-term investments (Note 3)	18,305	14,093
Other non-current assets	10,910	10,308
Total assets	1,167,202	985,478
Current Liabilities:	'	'
Current maturities of long-term debt (Note 7)	35,377	32,838
Accounts payable	157,277	141,668
Accrued liabilities (Note 15)	76,339	72,661
Total current liabilities	268,993	247,167
Deferred income taxes (Note 10)	20,616	9,200
Long-term debt, less current maturities (Note 7)	235,246	149,564
Other non-current liabilities (Note 16)	88,606	98,667
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 17)	'	'
Equity (Note 10):	'	'
5 1/2 percent convertible preferred stock, cumulative, voting, without par value; authorized 2,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 0 shares in 2013 and 61,935 shares in 2012 (Note 11)	'	1,548
Common stock, $1 par value; authorized 60,000,000 shares; issued 25,563,909 shares in 2013 and 25,141,610 shares in 2012	25,564	25,142
Additional paid-in capital	135,693	125,003
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Note 20)	-29,528	-38,250
Retained earnings	478,826	420,472
Less: Common treasury stock, at cost, 3,231,289 shares in 2013 and 3,175,638 shares in 2012	-58,269	-54,930
Total Stepan Company stockholders' equity	552,286	478,985
Noncontrolling interests	1,455	1,895
Total equity	553,741	480,880
Total liabilities and equity	$1,167,202	$985,478

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowances	$5,945	$5,533
Convertible preferred stock dividend rate	5.50%	5.50%
5-1/2 % convertible preferred stock, cumulative, voting, par value	'	'
5-1/2 % convertible preferred stock, cumulative, voting, shares authorized	2,000,000	2,000,000
5-1/2 % convertible preferred stock, cumulative, voting, shares issued	0	61,935
5-1/2 % convertible preferred stock, cumulative, voting, shares outstanding	0	61,935
Common stock, par value	$1	$1
Common stock, shares authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	25,563,909	25,141,610
Treasury stock, shares	3,231,289	3,175,638

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash Flows From Operating Activities	'	'	'
Net income	$72,337	$79,687	$72,602
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	56,400	51,294	47,099
Deferred compensation	9,496	10,252	1,529
Realized and unrealized (gain) loss on long-term investments	-2,611	-1,460	156
Stock-based compensation	2,783	3,122	3,676
Deferred income taxes	259	134	5,056
Other non-cash items	7,253	2,755	4,967
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions:	'	'	'
Receivables, net	-12,749	3,906	-60,842
Inventories	-3,794	-50,260	-12,854
Other current assets	-5,950	-2,210	-2,246
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	26,256	24,055	25,901
Pension liabilities	1,997	-4,341	-2,470
Environmental and legal liabilities	-353	-66	-772
Deferred revenues	2,428	-662	-1,474
Excess tax benefit from stock options and awards	-3,438	-7,237	-2,951
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities	150,314	108,969	77,377
Cash Flows From Investing Activities	'	'	'
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	-92,865	-83,159	-83,166
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (Note 2)	-68,212	0	-13,562
Sale of mutual funds	698	537	1,615
Other, net	-7,179	-4,827	-6,274
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities	-167,558	-87,449	-101,387
Cash Flows From Financing Activities	'	'	'
Revolving debt and bank overdrafts, net	4,820	770	223
Term loan	100,000	'	65,000
Build-to-suit obligation buyout	'	'	-12,206
Other debt borrowings	'	'	6,573
Other debt repayments	-17,618	-18,460	-52,454
Dividends paid	-14,474	-12,757	-11,513
Company stock repurchased	-2,275	-2,098	-1,508
Stock option exercises	3,977	4,473	3,228
Excess tax benefit from stock options and awards	3,438	7,237	2,951
Other, net	-1,615	-8,640	-2,398
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities	76,253	-29,475	-2,104
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash	-2,537	731	-985
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	56,472	-7,224	-27,099
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	76,875	84,099	111,198
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	133,347	76,875	84,099
Supplemental Cash Flow Information	'	'	'
Cash payments of income taxes, net of refunds	22,691	29,698	24,327
Cash payments of interest	$11,281	$10,491	$8,647

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ

Consolidated Statements of Equity (USD $)	Total	Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests' Equity [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$353,071,000	$13,002,000	$11,512,000	$83,852,000	($39,106,000)	($25,599,000)	$305,830,000	$3,580,000
Issuance of common stock under stock option plan	3,796,000	'	134,000	3,662,000	'	'	'	'
Purchase of common stock	-4,112,000	'	'	'	-4,112,000	'	'	'
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock	'	-45,000	2,000	43,000	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	3,676,000	'	54,000	3,622,000	'	'	'	'
Deferred compensation	832,000	'	7,000	802,000	23,000	'	'	'
Net income	72,602,000	'	'	'	'	'	71,976,000	626,000
Other comprehensive income	-15,838,000	'	'	'	'	-15,886,000	'	48,000
Cash dividends paid:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock	-714,000	'	'	'	'	'	-714,000	'
Common stock	-10,799,000	'	'	'	'	'	-10,799,000	'
Non-qualified stock option and stock award income tax benefit	2,951,000	'	'	2,951,000	'	'	'	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	405,465,000	12,957,000	11,709,000	94,932,000	-43,195,000	-41,485,000	366,293,000	4,254,000
Issuance of common stock under stock option plan	8,806,000	'	321,000	8,485,000	'	'	'	'
Purchase of common stock	-11,759,000	'	'	'	-11,759,000	'	'	'
Purchase of remaining interest in Stepan Philippines, Inc. from noncontrolling interest	-2,000,000	'	'	551,000	'	197,000	'	-2,748,000
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock	'	-11,409,000	604,000	10,805,000	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	2,484,000	'	42,000	2,442,000	'	'	'	'
Deferred compensation	581,000	'	6,000	551,000	24,000	'	'	'
Net income	79,687,000	'	'	'	'	'	79,396,000	291,000
Other comprehensive income	3,136,000	'	'	'	'	3,038,000	'	98,000
Cash dividends paid:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock	-579,000	'	'	'	'	'	-579,000	'
Common stock	-12,178,000	'	'	'	'	'	-12,178,000	'
Non-qualified stock option and stock award income tax benefit	7,237,000	'	'	7,237,000	'	'	'	'
Two-for-one stock split	'	'	12,460,000	'	'	'	-12,460,000	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	480,880,000	1,548,000	25,142,000	125,003,000	-54,930,000	-38,250,000	420,472,000	1,895,000
Issuance of common stock under stock option plan	4,069,000	'	227,000	3,842,000	'	'	'	'
Purchase of common stock	-3,425,000	'	'	'	-3,425,000	'	'	'
Redemption of preferred stock	-21,000	-21,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock	'	-1,527,000	140,000	1,387,000	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	1,250,000	'	49,000	1,201,000	'	'	'	'
Deferred compensation	912,000	'	6,000	820,000	86,000	'	'	'
Net income	72,337,000	'	'	'	'	'	72,828,000	-491,000
Other comprehensive income	8,773,000	'	'	'	'	8,722,000	'	51,000
Cash dividends paid:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock	-43,000	'	'	'	'	'	-43,000	'
Common stock	-14,431,000	'	'	'	'	'	-14,431,000	'
Non-qualified stock option and stock award income tax benefit	3,440,000	'	'	3,440,000	'	'	'	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$553,741,000	'	$25,564,000	$135,693,000	($58,269,000)	($29,528,000)	$478,826,000	$1,455,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Equ1

Consolidated Statements of Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Number of shares of common stock issued under stock option plan	227,410	582,730	268,978
Number of common stock shares purchased	60,595	251,312	115,460
Preferred stock	$1.38	$1.38	$1.38
Common stock	$0.65	$0.58	$0.53
Common Stock Split Ratio Declared	2	2	'
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Number of shares of common stock issued under stock option plan	227,410	582,730	268,978
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	'	'	'
Number of shares of common stock issued under stock option plan	227,410	582,730	268,978
Treasury Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Number of common stock shares purchased	60,595	251,312	115,460

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Nature of Operations
	Stepan Company (the Company) operations consist predominantly of the production and sale of specialty and intermediate chemicals, which are sold to other manufacturers for use in a variety of end products. Principal markets for all products are manufacturers of cleaning and washing compounds (including detergents, shampoos, fabric softeners, toothpastes and household cleaners), paints, cosmetics, food, beverages, nutritional supplements, agricultural products, plastics, furniture, automotive equipment, insulation and refrigeration.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires Company management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries in which the Company exercises controlling influence. The equity method is used to account for investments in which the Company exercises significant but noncontrolling influence. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
	The Company is a partner in two joint ventures: Nanjing Stepan Jinling Chemical Limited Liability Company (Stepan China) in Nanjing, China, and TIORCO, LLC in Denver, Colorado. The Company has an 80 percent ownership interest in the Stepan China joint venture and exercises controlling influence. Therefore, Stepan China’s accounts are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The joint venture partner’s interest in Stepan China’s net income is reported in the net income attributable to noncontrolling interests line of the consolidated statements of income. The joint venture partner’s interest in the net assets of Stepan China is reported in the noncontrolling interests line (a component of equity separate from Company equity) of the consolidated balance sheets.
	TIORCO, LLC is equally owned and controlled by the Company and Nalco Company (now a part of Ecolab Inc.). The Company’s investment in TIORCO, LLC is accounted for using the equity method and is included in the other non-current assets line on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s share of TIORCO, LLC’s net earnings is included in the loss from equity in joint ventures line of the consolidated statements of income.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with purchased maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $133,347,000, including $66,002,000 in two separate U.S. money market funds, each of which was rated AAA by Standard and Poor’s and Aaa by Moody’s. Cash in U.S. demand deposit accounts totaled $15,873,000 and cash of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries held outside the U.S. totaled $51,472,000 as of December 31, 2013.
	Receivables and Credit Risk
	Receivables are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts and other allowances and primarily include trade receivables, as well as nontrade receivables from suppliers, governmental tax agencies and others.
	The Company is exposed to credit risk on accounts receivable balances. This risk is mitigated by the Company’s large, diverse customer base, which is dispersed over various geographic regions and industrial sectors. No single customer comprised more than 10 percent of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2013, 2012 or 2011.
	The Company maintains allowances for potential credit losses. Specific customer allowances are recorded when a review of customer creditworthiness and current economic conditions indicate that collection is doubtful. In addition, the Company maintains a general allowance as a percentage of total trade receivables. The general allowance percentage is periodically reviewed and adjusted based on historical bad debt losses of the Company.
	The Company also maintains other customer allowances that occur in the normal course of business. Such allowances are based on historical averages and trade receivable levels.
	The following is an analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts and other accounts receivable allowances for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012		2011
	Balance at January 1	$	5,533		$	5,214	$	6,145
	Provision charged (credited) to income		719			314		(568	)
	Accounts written off, net of recoveries		(307	)		5		(363	)
	Balance at December 31	$	5,945		$	5,533	$	5,214
	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at cost, which is not in excess of market value, and include material, labor and plant overhead costs. The last-in, first-out (LIFO) method is used to determine the cost of the Company’s U.S. inventories. The first-in, first-out (FIFO) method is used for all other inventories. Inventories priced at LIFO as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, accounted for 64 and 59 percent of total inventories, respectively.
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Lives used for calculating depreciation are generally 30 years for buildings and 15 years for building improvements. For assets classified as machinery and equipment, lives generally used for calculating depreciation expense range from 10 to 15 years for manufacturing equipment, five to 10 years for furniture and fixtures, three to five years for vehicles and three to 10 years for computer equipment and software. Manufacturing of chemicals is capital intensive with over 90 percent of the assets included in machinery and equipment representing manufacturing equipment. Major renewals and betterments are capitalized in the property accounts, while maintenance and repairs ($48,683,000, $45,072,000, and $43,128,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively), which do not renew or extend the life of the respective assets, are charged to operations as incurred. Land is not depreciated. The cost of property retired or sold and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in income.
	Included in the computer equipment and software component of machinery and equipment are costs related to the acquisition and development of internal-use software. Capitalized costs include external direct costs of materials and services consumed in obtaining and developing the software. For development projects where major internal resources are committed, payroll and payroll-related costs incurred during the application development phase of the project are also capitalized. The capitalized costs are amortized over the useful lives of the software, which are generally three to 10 years. Costs incurred in the preliminary project phase are expensed.
	Interest charges on borrowings applicable to major construction projects are capitalized.
	Property, plant and equipment assets are tested for impairment when events indicate that impairment may have occurred.
	Fair Value Measurements
	U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Furthermore, GAAP establishes a framework, in the form of a three-level hierarchy, for measuring fair value that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The following describes the hierarchy levels:
	Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
	Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
	Level 3 - unobservable inputs which reflect the entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants use in pricing the assets and liabilities.
	The Company applies the fair value measurement provisions of GAAP to any of its financial assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets (see Note 3), its outstanding debt for disclosure purposes (also Note 7) and its pension plan assets (see Note 14).
	The Company also applies the fair value measurement requirements to nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and liabilities recorded in conjunction with business combinations and as part of impairment reviews for goodwill and other long-lived assets.
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is recognized upon shipment of goods to customers, at which time title and risk of loss pass to the customer. For arrangements where the Company consigns product to a customer location, revenue is recognized when the customer uses the inventory. The Company records shipping and handling billed to a customer in a sales transaction as revenue. Costs incurred for shipping and handling are reported in cost of sales. Volume discounts due customers are estimated and recorded in the same period as the sales to which the discounts relate and reported as reductions of revenue in the consolidated statements of income.
	Cost of Sales
	Cost of sales comprises raw material costs, including inbound freight expense to deliver the raw materials, manufacturing plant labor expenses and various manufacturing overhead expenses, which include utility, maintenance, operating supply, amortization and manufacturing asset depreciation expenses. Cost of sales also includes outbound freight expenses, purchasing and receiving costs, quality assurance expenses, inter-plant transfer costs and warehouse expenses.
	Operating Expenses
	Selling expense comprises salary and the related fringe benefit expenses for marketing and sales personnel and operating costs, such as outside agent commissions, automobile rental and travel-related expenses, which support the sales and marketing functions. Bad debt charges and any depreciation expenses related to marketing assets (e.g., computers) are also classified as marketing expense.
	Administrative expense comprises salary and the related fringe benefit expenses and operating costs for the Company’s various administrative functions, which include information services, finance, legal, and human resources. Compensation expense related to the Company’s deferred compensation plans and legal and environmental remediation expenses are also classified as administrative expense.
	The Company’s research and development costs are expensed as incurred. These expenses are aimed at discovery and commercialization of new knowledge with the intent that such effort will be useful in developing a new product or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process. Total research and development expenses were $28,782,000, $28,032,000 and $25,128,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The remainder of research, development and technical service expenses reflected on the consolidated statements of income relates to technical services, which include routine product testing, quality control and sales support service.
	Environmental Expenditures
	Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed in cost of sales or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that mitigate or prevent environmental contamination and that benefit future operations are capitalized. Capitalized expenditures are depreciated generally utilizing a 10 year life. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation, are expensed to administrative expense. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable and the cost or range of possible costs can be reasonably estimated. When no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum is accrued. Some of the factors on which the Company bases its estimates include information provided by feasibility studies, potentially responsible party negotiations and the development of remedial action plans. Because reported liabilities are recorded based on estimates, actual amounts could significantly differ from those estimates. Legal costs related to environmental matters are expensed as incurred (see Note 17 for environmental contingencies).
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets include patents, agreements not to compete, trademarks, customer lists, technological and manufacturing know-how and goodwill, all of which were acquired as part of business or product line acquisitions. The Company separately identifies intangible assets other than goodwill and amortizes them in accordance with their useful lives, generally ranging from five to 15 years. Goodwill is not amortized. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if an event indicates that impairment may have occurred. Finite life intangible assets are tested for impairment when events indicate that impairment may have occurred. For more details see Note 5.
	Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets or liabilities are computed using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for changes in tax rates or laws, and the effects of the changes are recorded in income in the period of enactment. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when the Company determines that it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.
	The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. If the tax position meets the more-likely-than-not threshold, the tax benefit recognized in the consolidated financial statements is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon effective settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits, which are differences between the tax position taken on a tax return and the amounts recognized in the financial statements, are recorded either as an increase to a tax liability or as a decrease to an income tax receivable. The Company includes estimated interest and penalty amounts related to the unrecognized tax benefits in the tax provision.
	See Note 10 for detailed information about income taxes.
	Translation of Foreign Currencies
	Assets and liabilities of consolidated foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at year end. The resulting translation adjustments are included in stockholders’ equity. Revenues and expenses for the consolidated foreign subsidiaries are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Gains or losses on foreign currency transactions are reflected in the other, net caption of the consolidated statements of income.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company grants stock options, performance stock awards and stock appreciation rights (SARs) to certain employees under its incentive compensation plans. The Company calculates the fair values of stock options, performance stock awards and SARs on the date such instruments are granted. The fair values of the stock option and performance stock awards are then recognized as compensation expense over the vesting periods of the instruments. SARs, which were granted for the first time in 2012, are cash-settled and, therefore, accounted for as liabilities that must be re-measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Compensation expense for each reporting period is based on the period-to-period change (or portion of the change, depending on the proportion of the vesting period that has been completed at the reporting date) in the fair value of the SARs. See Note 12 for detailed information about the Company’s stock-based compensation.
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share amounts are computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Net income used in computing basic earnings per share is net income attributable to the Company reduced by dividends paid to preferred stockholders. Diluted earnings per share amounts are based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus the increased number of common shares that would be outstanding assuming the exercise of certain outstanding stock options (under the treasury stock method), the conversion of the convertible preferred stock (when such conversion would have the effect of reducing earnings per share), and contingent stock awards that are part of the Company’s incentive stock-based compensation program (see Note 12). All share and per share data reflect the two-for-one common stock split that was effective December 14, 2012. See Note 19 for detailed information about the Company’s earnings per share calculations.
	Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income includes net income and all other non-owner changes in equity that are not reported in net income. Comprehensive income is disclosed in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. See Note 20 for detailed information regarding changes in the Company’s AOCI and reclassifications out of AOCI to income.
	Segment Reporting
	The Company reports financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments. Operating segments are components of the Company that have separate financial information that is regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker to assess segment performance and allocate resources. The Company discloses segment revenue, operating income, assets, capital expenditures and depreciation and amortization expenses. Enterprise-wide financial information about the geographic locations in which the Company earns revenues and holds assets is also disclosed (see Note 18).
Derivative Instruments
Derivative instruments are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value. For derivative instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments are recognized currently in earnings. For derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments are either offset in earnings against changes in the fair values of the hedged items or recognized in AOCI until the hedged transaction is recognized in earnings. At the time a hedging relationship is designated, the Company establishes the method it will use for assessing the effectiveness of the hedge and the measurement approach for determining the ineffective aspect of the hedge. Company policy prohibits the use of derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. See Note 4 for further information regarding the Company’s use of derivatives.
At December 31, 2013, the Company held open forward contracts for the purchase of 1.2 million dekatherms of natural gas in 2014 at a cost of $4,866,000. The Company uses forward contracts to minimize its exposure to volatile natural gas prices. Because the Company anticipates taking delivery of the gas for use in its operations, the contracts qualify for the normal purchase exception election provided under the accounting rules for derivative instruments. The Company has elected the exceptions for such contracts. As a result, the contracts are not accounted for as derivative instruments. The cost of natural gas is charged to expense at the time the gas is delivered and used.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. Also, in January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. These updates create new disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity’s rights of setoff and related arrangements associated with its derivatives, repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions. Entities are required to apply the new disclosure requirements for annual and interim reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Retrospective application is required. Adoption of the new requirements did not have an effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, because the Company does not have arrangements where rights of offset exist, adoption of the standard did not have an effect on Company disclosures.
In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. The amendments in this update aim to simplify the impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by permitting an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether the quantitative impairment test included in Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 350-30, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – General Intangibles Other than Goodwill must be performed. The amendment is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The Company currently has no indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill reported on its consolidated balance sheet. As such, adoption of this amendment did not have an effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which adds new disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of AOCI and expands the existing disclosure requirements for the presentation of changes in AOCI. The amendment is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. Because this update affects only the disclosures for AOCI, adoption of the requirements did not have an effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405), Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date.This update requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of a) the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and b) any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The update also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The requirements of ASU No. 2013-04 are effective on a retrospective basis for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013. Because the Company has no applicable obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements, adoption of ASU No. 2013-04 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The update clarifies that unrecognized tax benefits related to a net operating loss carryforward, or similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward, should generally be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset. The requirements of ASU No. 2013-11 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The update allows for early adoption. The Company currently has no unrecognized tax benefits in jurisdictions where a net operating loss carryforward, or similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward exists. As such, the adoption of the new guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Business Combinations [Abstract]	'
Acquisitions	'
	2. Acquisitions
	2013 Acquisition
	On June 1, 2013, the Company acquired the North American polyester resins business of Bayer MaterialScience LLC (BMS). Prior to the acquisition, BMS was a North American producer of powder polyester resins for metal coating applications and liquid polyester resins for coatings, adhesives, sealants and elastomers (CASE) applications. The purchase included a 21,000-ton production facility in Columbus, Georgia, and a modern research and development laboratory for customer technical support and new product development. Infrastructure is in place to allow for future expansion. The acquisition has diversified the Company’s polyol product offering and is expected to accelerate the Company’s growth in CASE and PUSH (polyurethane systems house) applications. As of the acquisition date, the new business and acquired net assets became a part of the North American operations reporting unit included in the Company’s polymers reportable segment. The new business’s post-acquisition net sales included in consolidated net sales for the year ended December 31, 2013, were $31,913,000. The acquisition’s effect on earnings was immaterial for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The total acquisition purchase price was $68,212,000 cash, of which $61,067,000 was paid at closing and $7,145,000 primarily for inventory was paid over a three-month period (June 2013 through August 2013) pursuant to a transition services agreement with BMS. The acquisition was originally funded through the Company’s committed revolving credit agreement. Subsequent to closing on the acquisition, the Company completed a $100,000,000 private placement loan, which was used in part to finance the acquisition (see Note 7 for additional information regarding the private placement loan).
	In addition to the purchase price paid, the Company incurred $270,000 of acquisition-related expenses related to legal, consulting, valuation and accounting services. These costs were included in administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and, accordingly, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of the acquisition were measured and recorded at their estimated fair values. The following table summarizes the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
	(Dollars in thousands)	June 1, 2013
	Assets:
	Inventory	$	9,002
	Property, plant and equipment		37,000
	Identifiable intangible assets		17,800
	Goodwill		4,642
	Total assets acquired	$	68,444
	Liabilities:
	Accrued expenses		232
	Net assets acquired	$	68,212
	The acquired goodwill, which was assigned entirely to the Company’s North American operations reporting unit included in the Company’s polymers reportable segment, is deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill reflects the potential marketing, manufacturing and raw material sourcing synergies of the new business with the Company’s existing polymer business. Identifiable intangible assets included a technology and manufacturing know-how license agreement ($7,900,000), a trademark/trade name ($3,800,000) and customer relationships ($6,100,000). The amortization periods for these intangibles at the time of acquisition were 8, 11 and 12 years, respectively. The purchase price allocation is final, and no purchase price allocation adjustments were made to the amounts originally recorded at the acquisition date.
	The following is pro forma financial information prepared under the assumption that the acquisition of the BMS North American polyester resins business occurred on January 1, 2012.
	Pro Forma Financial Information
	Unaudited
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Year Ended
		December 31
		2013		2012
	Net Sales	$	1,907,607	$	1,866,209
	Net Income Attributable to Stepan Company	$	73,609	$	80,353
	Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Stepan Company:
	Basic	$	3.25	$	3.75
	Diluted	$	3.21	$	3.54
	The supplemental pro forma information is presented for illustrative purposes only and may not be indicative of the consolidated results that would have actually been achieved by the Company. Furthermore, future results may vary significantly from the results reflected in the pro forma information. The pro forma results include adjustments primarily related to amortization of acquired intangible assets, depreciation of the fair value adjustment of acquisition-date plant assets, interest on borrowings and tax expense. In addition, nonrecurring adjustments to pro forma net income include $270,000 of acquisition- related expenses and $558,000 of expense related to the fair value adjustment of the acquisition date inventory; such expenses were excluded from 2013 pro forma net income and included in pro forma net income for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	2011 Acquisition
	On June 23, 2011, the Company purchased the Clarinol®, Marinol®, and PinnoThin® product lines of Lipid Nutrition B.V., a part of Loders Croklaan B.V. As of the acquisition date, the acquired product lines became a part of the Company’s specialty products segment. The acquisition purchase price was $13,562,000 of cash. In addition to the purchase price paid, the Company incurred $300,000 of acquisition-related costs, including legal and consulting expenses, which were reflected in administrative expenses on the Company’s consolidated statement of income for the year ended December 31, 2011.
	The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and, accordingly, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed were measured and recorded at their estimated fair values. The following table summarizes the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at June 23, 2011:
	(In thousands)	June 23, 2011
	Assets:
	Inventory	$	5,000
	Identifiable intangible assets:
	Patents		6,948
	Customer lists		736
	Trademarks, know-how		429
	Total identifiable intangible assets		8,113
	Goodwill		483
	Total assets acquired	$	13,596
	Current liabilities	$	34
	Net assets acquired	$	13,562
	The acquired goodwill, which was allocated entirely to the Company’s specialty products segment, is deductable for tax purposes. The goodwill reflected the potential manufacturing and marketing synergies arising from combining the acquired product lines with the Company’s existing food and health services products. The weighted average amortization periods for the identifiable intangible assets at the time of acquisition were as follows: patents-12 years; customer lists- five years; and trademarks and know-how- five years.
	Pro forma financial information has not been included because revenues and earnings of the Company’s consolidated entity would not have been materially different than reported had the acquisition date been January 1, 2010.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	3. Fair Value Measurements
	The following are the financial instruments held by the Company at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and descriptions of the methods and assumptions used to estimate the instruments’ fair values:
	Cash and cash equivalents
	Carrying value approximated fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments.
	Derivative assets and liabilities
	Derivative assets and liabilities relate to the foreign currency exchange and interest rate contracts discussed in Note 4. Fair value and carrying value were the same because the contracts were recorded at fair value. The fair values of the foreign currency contracts were calculated as the difference between the applicable forward foreign exchange rates at the reporting date and the contracted foreign exchange rates multiplied by the contracted notional amounts. The fair values of the interest rate swaps were calculated as the difference between the contracted swap rate and the current market replacement swap rate multiplied by the present value of one basis point for the notional amount of the contract. See the table that follows the financial instrument descriptions for the reported fair values of derivative assets and liabilities.
	Long-term investments
	Long-term investments are the mutual fund assets the Company holds to fund a portion of its deferred compensation liabilities and all of its non-qualified supplemental executive defined contribution obligations (see the defined contribution plans section of Note 14). Fair value and carrying value were the same because the mutual fund assets were recorded at fair value in accordance with the FASB’s fair value option rules. Fair values for the mutual funds were calculated using the published market price per unit at the reporting date multiplied by the number of units held at the reporting date. See the table that follows the financial instrument descriptions for the reported fair value of long-term investments.
	Debt obligations
	The fair value of debt with original maturities greater than one year comprised the combined present values of scheduled principal and interest payments for each of the various loans, individually discounted at rates equivalent to those which could be obtained by the Company for new debt issues with durations equal to the average life to maturity of each loan. The fair values of the remaining Company debt obligations approximated their carrying values due to the short-term nature of the debt. The Company’s fair value measurements for debt fall in level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair values of debt and the related carrying values, including current maturities, were as follows:
	(In thousands)	December 31
		2013		2012
	Fair value	$	276,069	$	194,620
	Carrying value		270,623		182,402
	The following tables present financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at fair value as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurement falls:
	(In thousands)	December		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		2013
	Mutual fund assets	$	18,305	$	18,305	$	—	$	—
	Derivative assets:
	Foreign currency contracts		74		—		74		—
	Total assets at fair value	$	18,379	$	18,305	$	74	$	—
	Derivative liabilities :
	Foreign currency contracts	$	165	$	—	$	165	$	—
	Interest rate contracts		20		—		20		—
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	185	$	—	$	185	$	—
	(In thousands)	December		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		2012
	Mutual fund assets	$	14,093	$	14,093	$	—	$	—
	Derivative assets:
	Foreign currency contracts		67		—		67		—
	Total assets at fair value	$	14,160	$	14,093	$	67	$	—
	Derivative liabilities:
	Foreign currency contracts	$	2	$	—	$	2	$	—
	Interest rate contracts		57		—		57		—
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	59	$	—	$	59	$	—

Derivative_Instruments

Derivative Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments	'
	4. Derivative Instruments
	The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risk managed by the use of derivative instruments is foreign currency exchange risk. The Company holds forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not designated as any type of accounting hedge as defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The Company uses these contracts to manage its exposure to exchange rate fluctuations on certain Company subsidiary accounts receivable, accounts payable and other obligation balances that are denominated in currencies other than the entities’ functional currencies. The forward foreign exchange contracts are recognized on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at fair value. Gains and losses arising from recording the foreign exchange contracts at fair value are reported in earnings as offsets to the losses and gains reported in earnings arising from the re-measurement of the receivable and payable balances into the applicable functional currencies. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had open forward foreign currency exchange contracts, all with settlement dates of about one month, to buy or sell foreign currencies with a U.S. dollar equivalent of $20,289,000 and $16,258,000, respectively.
	During the reporting period, the Company also held forward foreign currency exchange contracts that were designated as a cash flow hedge. The Company used these contracts to manage the risks and related cash flow variability resulting from exposure to exchange rate fluctuations on forecasted progress payments related to a construction project undertaken in Singapore. The progress payments were denominated in a currency other than the Singapore location’s functional currency. The Company completed its hedging activity for the progress payments in September 2013. When in use, the forward foreign exchange contracts were recognized on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at fair value. Period-to-period changes in the fair value of the hedging instruments were recognized as gains or losses in other comprehensive income, to the extent effective. The accumulated gains and losses are being reclassified out of AOCI into earnings in the periods over which the asset is being depreciated. The amount currently in AOCI that is expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months is immaterial. The Company had no open forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges at December 31, 2013. At December 31, 2012, the Company held open forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges with a U.S. dollar equivalent amount of $1,197,000.
	The Company is exposed to volatility in short-term interest rates and mitigates certain portions of that risk using interest rate swaps. The interest rate swaps are recognized on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at fair value. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company held interest rate swap contracts with notional values of $2,268,000 and $2,969,000, respectively, which were designated as cash flow hedges. Period-to-period changes in the fair value of interest rate swap hedges are recognized as gains or losses in other comprehensive income, to the extent effective. As each interest rate swap hedge contract is settled, the corresponding gain or loss is reclassified out of AOCI into earnings in that settlement period. The latest date through which the Company expects to hedge its exposure to the volatility of short-term interest rates is September 30, 2015.
	The fair values of the derivative instruments held by the Company on December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, and derivative instrument gains and losses and amounts reclassified out of AOCI into earnings for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were immaterial.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The changes in carrying value of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
	(In thousands)		Surfactants						Polymer				Specialty Products				Total
			Segment						Segment				Segment
			2013			2012			2013		2012		2013		2012		2013			2012
	Balance as of January 1
	Goodwill		$	9,246		$	9,143		$	937	$	841	$	483	$	483	$	10,666		$	10,467
	Accumulated impairment loss			(3,467	)		(3,467	)		—		—		—		—		(3,467	)		(3,467	)
				5,779			5,676			937		841		483		483		7,199			7,000
	Goodwill acquired (1)			—			—			4,642		—		—		—		4,642			—
	Foreign currency translation			(139	)		103			24		96		—		—		(115	)		199
	Balance as of December 31
	Goodwill			9,107			9,246			5,603		937		483		483		15,193			10,666
	Accumulated impairment loss			(3,467	)		(3,467	)		—		—		—		—		(3,467	)		(3,467	)
				5,640		$	5,779			5,603	$	937	$	483	$	483		11,726		$	7,199
	(1)	See Note 2 for information regarding the goodwill acquired in business combinations.
	The Company tests its goodwill balances for impairment in the second quarter of each calendar year. The 2013 and 2012 tests indicated no impairment.
	The following table reflects the components of other intangible assets, all of which have finite lives, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. The year-over-year changes in gross carrying values resulted from the 2013 acquisition disclosed in Note 2, removal of fully amortized intangibles from the table and the effects of foreign currency translation.
	(In thousands)		Gross Carrying Value						Accumulated Amortization
			December 31						December 31
			2013			2012			2013		2012
	Other Intangible Assets:
	Patents		$	6,947		$	8,947		$	1,498	$	2,831
	Trademarks			4,087			5,843			345		5,468
	Customer lists			8,094			7,359			1,098		5,802
	Know-how (a)			8,313			8,950			831		8,453
	Non-compete agreements			0			1,235			0		1,002
	Total		$	27,441		$	32,334		$	3,772	$	23,556
	(a)	Know-how includes intellectual property rights covering proprietary information, written formulae, trade secrets or secret processes, inventions and developmental products (whether patentable or not), discoveries, improvements, compositions, manufacturing processes, manuals, specifications and technical data.
	Aggregate amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, was $2,832,000, $2,516,000 and $2,164,000, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for identifiable intangibles assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:
	(In thousands)
	For year ended 12/31/14			$2,853
	For year ended 12/31/15			$2,831
	For year ended 12/31/16			$2,683
	For year ended 12/31/17			$2,566
	For year ended 12/31/18			$2,566

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	6. Inventories
	The composition of inventories at December 31, 2013 and 2012, was as follows:
		December 31
	(In thousands)	2013		2012
	Finished products		123,211	$	113,589
	Raw materials		49,156		48,424
	Total inventories		172,368	$	162,013
	Inventories are primarily priced using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) inventory valuation method. If the first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory valuation method had been used for all inventories, inventory balances would have been approximately $30,786,000 and $33,868,000 higher than reported at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	7. Debt
	Debt comprised the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
	(In thousands)	Maturity			December 31,			December 31,
		Dates			2013			2012
	Unsecured private placement notes
	3.86%		2019-2025		$	100,000		$	—
	4.86%		2017-2023			65,000			65,000
	5.88%		2016-2022			40,000			40,000
	5.69%		2014-2018			28,571			34,286
	6.86%		2014-2015			8,570			12,856
	Debt of foreign subsidiaries
	Secured bank term loans, foreign currency		2014-2016			5,843			9,531
	Secured bank term loan, U.S. dollars		—			—			3,500
	Unsecured bank debt, U.S. dollars		2014			998			—
	Unsecured bank debt, foreign currency		—			—			—
	Other loans, foreign currency		2014-2015			21,641			17,229
	Total debt				$	270,623		$	182,402
	Less current maturities					35,377			32,838
	Long-term debt				$	235,246		$	149,564
	The majority of the Company’s long-term debt financing is composed of unsecured private placement notes issued to insurance companies, totaling $242,141,000 as of December 31, 2013. These notes are denominated in U.S. dollars and have fixed interest rates ranging from 3.86 percent to 6.86 percent. At inception, these notes had final maturities of 12 to 13 years with remaining amortization scheduled from 2014 to 2025.
	On June 27, 2013, the Company completed a new $100,000,000 unsecured private placement loan with interest to be paid semi-annually and with equal annual principal payments beginning on June 27, 2019, and continuing through final maturity on June 27, 2025. The proceeds of this loan were used, in part, to finance the acquisition of BMS’s North American polyester resins business (originally funded out of the Company’s committed revolving credit agreement), with the balance to be used for capital expenditures and other corporate purposes. This loan agreement requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios and covenants that are substantially identical to the Company’s existing long-term debt and customary events of default.
	The Company has a committed $125,000,000 multi-currency revolving credit agreement that expires in September 2017. The Company maintains standby letters of credit under its workers’ compensation insurance agreements and for other purposes, as needed from time to time, which are issued under the revolving credit agreement. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $2,727,000 and no outstanding debt under this agreement. There was $122,273,000 available under the revolving credit agreement as of December 31, 2013. During 2013, the Company had revolver borrowings at varying rates, which averaged 1.78 percent. The maximum borrowings on this debt facility were $61,500,000, with the most recent borrowing commencing on June 3, 2013. There were no borrowings on this facility in 2012.
	Loans under the credit agreement may be incurred, at the discretion of the Company, with maturities from 1 to 180 days and interest rate options including (1) LIBOR, corresponding to the term and currency, plus spreads ranging from 0.95 percent to 1.65 percent, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio, (2) the prime rate plus zero percent to 0.65 percent, depending on the leverage ratio, or (3) market rates in effect at the time of the borrowing. The credit agreement requires the Company to pay a facility fee ranging from 0.175 percent to 0.350 percent, which also depends on the leverage ratio. The credit agreement requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios and compliance with certain other covenants that are similar to the Company’s existing debt agreements, including net worth, interest coverage and leverage financial covenants and limitations on restricted payments, indebtedness and liens.
	At December 31, 2013, European debt included $5,843,000 of bank term loans. One of these term loans, for $3,437,000 matures in 2016 and has a variable interest rate of 90-day EURIBOR plus a spread of 1.08 percent. The other term loan, for $2,406,000, matures in 2015 and bears a fixed interest rate of 2.15 percent. At December 31, 2013, debt in Europe also included short-term borrowings of $19,488,000 with variable interest rates of 90-day EURIBOR plus spreads ranging from 0.30 percent and 0.50 percent and short-term borrowings of $2,153,000 with a variable rate comprised of the UK base rate plus a spread of 2.00 percent. The Company’s Philippine subsidiary had short-term borrowings of $998,000, guaranteed by the Company, with a variable interest rate of 30-day LIBOR plus a spread of 1.25 percent. The balance of the Company’s secured foreign debt is secured only by the assets of the respective entities.
	The Company’s loan agreements in the U.S., France and the Philippines contain provisions, which, among others, require maintenance of certain financial ratios and place limitations on additional debt, investments and payment of dividends. Based on the loan agreement provisions that place limitations on dividend payments, unrestricted retained earnings (i.e., retained earnings available for dividend distribution) were $148,467,000 and $114,204,000 at December 31, 2013, and 2012, respectively.
	Debt at December 31, 2013, matures as follows: $35,377,000 in 2014; $12,416,000 in 2015; $12,115,000 in 2016; $20,714,000 in 2017; $20,715,000 in 2018 and $169,286,000 after 2018. Debt maturing in 2014 includes $12,746,000 of scheduled repayments under long-term debt agreements and $22,631,000 of debt of foreign subsidiaries under short-term working capital loans. These short-term loan agreements are routinely renewed, but could be supplemented or replaced, if necessary, by the Company’s $125,000,000 revolving credit agreement.
	Net interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, comprised the following:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Interest expense	$	11,104		$	9,998		$	9,839
	Interest income		(57	)		(112	)		(359	)
			11,047			9,886			9,480
	Capitalized interest		(689	)		(287	)		(385	)
	Interest expense, net	$	10,358		$	9,599		$	9,095

Leased_Properties

Leased Properties	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Leased Properties	'
	8. Leased Properties
	The Company leases certain property and equipment (primarily transportation equipment, buildings and land) under operating leases, which are denominated in local currencies. Total rental expense was $6,280,000, $6,713,000 and $6,182,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Consolidated Company minimum future rental payments under operating leases with terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2013, are:
	(In thousands)	Year		Amount
			2014	$	4,170
			2015		3,529
			2016		2,963
			2017		1,942
			2018		1,723
			Subsequent to 2018		17,795
	Total minimum future rental payments			$	32,122

Other_Net

Other, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other, Net	'
	9. Other, Net
	Other, net in the consolidated statements of income included the following:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Foreign exchange loss	$	(1,495	)	$	(304	)	$	(800	)
	Investment related income		1,055			173			105
	Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		2,611			1,460			(156	)
	Other, net	$	2,171		$	1,329		$	(851	)

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	10. Income Taxes
	The provisions for taxes on income and the related income before taxes for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Taxes on Income
	Federal
	Current	$	9,744		$	23,744		$	16,901
	Deferred		(285	)		(525	)		4,894
	State
	Current		1,223			1,999			3,677
	Deferred		(680	)		(537	)		174
	Foreign
	Current		12,067			10,158			6,658
	Deferred		1,224			1,196			(12	)
	Total	$	23,293		$	36,035		$	32,292
	Income before Taxes
	Domestic	$	50,626		$	80,371		$	83,333
	Foreign		45,004			35,351			21,561
	Total	$	95,630		$	115,722		$	104,894
	The variations between the effective and statutory U.S. federal income tax rates are summarized as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013			%			2012			%			2011			%
		Amount						Amount						Amount
	Federal income tax provision at statutory tax rate	$	33,471			35		$	40,503			35		$	36,713			35
	State tax provision on income less applicable federal tax benefit		353			0.4			1,470			1.3			2,413			2.3
	Foreign income taxed at different rates		(2,509	)		(2.6	)		(1,172	)		(1.0	)		(900	)		(0.9	)
	Repatriation of foreign earnings		146			0.2			24			—			—			—
	Domestic production activities deduction		(991	)		(1.0	)		(1,446	)		(1.2	)		(1,339	)		(1.3	)
	Nontaxable foreign interest income		(2,614	)		(2.7	)		(2,690	)		(2.3	)		(2,719	)		(2.6	)
	Nontaxable biodiesel excise credit income		(2,347	)		(2.5	)		—			—			—			—
	U.S. tax credits		(2,209	)		(2.3	)		—			—			(1,482	)		(1.4	)
	Non-deductible expenses and other items, net		(7	)		(0.1	)		(654	)		(0.7	)		(394	)		(0.3	)
	Total income tax provision	$	23,293			24.4		$	36,035			31.1		$	32,292			30.8
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the tax effects of significant temporary differences representing deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Deferred Tax Liabilities:
	Depreciation	$	(57,113	)	$	(50,011	)
	Amortization of intangibles		(49	)		(456	)
	Unrealized foreign exchange loss		(910	)		(602	)
	Other		(823	)		(918	)
		$	(58,895	)	$	(51,987	)
	Deferred Tax Assets:
	Pensions	$	5,640		$	15,148
	Deferred revenue		3,058			718
	Other accruals and reserves		12,061			10,979
	Inventories		1,158			496
	Legal and environmental accruals		6,594			6,463
	Deferred compensation		20,510			17,461
	Bad debt and rebate reserves		3,018			2,884
	Subsidiaries net operating loss carryforwards		899			1,390
	Tax credit carryforwards		915			532
		$	53,853		$	56,071
	Valuation Allowance	$	(1,302	)	$	(603	)
	Net Deferred Tax (Liabilities) Assets	$	(6,344	)	$	3,481
	Reconciliation to Consolidated Balance Sheet:
	Current deferred tax assets	$	12,637		$	9,876
	Non-current deferred tax assets (in other non-current assets)		1,658			2,805
	Current deferred tax liabilities (in accrued liabilities)		(23	)		—
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities		(20,616	)		(9,200	)
	Net Deferred Tax (Liabilities) Assets	$	(6,344	)	$	3,481
	Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries and related companies that are deemed to be permanently reinvested amounted to $194,148,000 at December 31, 2013, compared to $161,942,000 at December 31, 2012. In general, the Company reinvests earnings of foreign subsidiaries in their operations indefinitely. However, the Company will repatriate earnings from a subsidiary where excess cash has accumulated and it is advantageous for tax or foreign exchange reasons. Because of the probable availability of foreign tax credits, it is not practicable to estimate the amount, if any, of the deferred tax liability on earnings reinvested indefinitely.
	The Company has tax loss carryforwards of $3,980,000 (pretax) as of December 31, 2013 and $6,753,000 as of December 31, 2012, that are available for use by the Company between 2014 and 2022. The Company has tax credit carryforwards of $915,000 as of December 31, 2013 and $532,000 as of December 31, 2012, that are available for use by the Company between 2014 and 2018.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had valuation allowances of $1,302,000, which were primarily attributable to deferred tax assets in China, India and the Philippines. The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of sufficient taxable income in the appropriate tax jurisdictions. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that the related deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, unrecognized tax benefits totaled $240,000 and $289,000, respectively. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the Company’s effective income tax rate in any future periods, net of the federal benefit on state issues, was approximately $231,000, $275,000 and $1,023,000 at December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company does not believe that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to its current uncertain tax positions will change significantly over the next 12 months.
	The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. In 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company recognized net interest and penalty income of $9,000, $444,000 and $2,000, respectively. At December 31, 2013 the liability for interest and penalties was $32,000 compared to $41,000 at December 31, 2012.
During 2012, the Company negotiated and finalized ten state income tax voluntary disclosure agreements. As a result, the Company recorded a net tax benefit of $688,000.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is not subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2010. Some foreign jurisdictions and various U.S. states jurisdictions may be subject to examination back to 2007.
Below are reconciliations of the January 1 and December 31 balances of unrecognized tax benefits for 2013, 2012 and 2011:
(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
Unrecognized tax benefits, opening balance	$	289		$	1,232		$	1,902
Gross increases – tax positions in prior period		27			—			—
Gross decreases – tax positions in prior period		(41	)		(569	)		(795	)
Gross increases – current period tax positions		17			44			213
Settlements		—			—			(38	)
Foreign currency translation		5			23			(8	)
Lapse of statute of limitations		(57	)		(441	)		(42	)
Unrecognized tax benefits, ending balance	$	240		$	289		$	1,232

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Stockholders' Equity	'
	11. Stockholders’ Equity
	On June 12, 2013, the Company announced that on August 9, 2013 (redemption date), it would redeem any remaining outstanding shares of its 5 1/2 percent Convertible Preferred Stock without par value (preferred stock). At the time of the redemption announcement, there were 61,735 shares of preferred stock outstanding. Prior to the redemption date, preferred shareholders converted 60,900 shares of preferred stock into 139,029 shares of Company common stock. In accordance with the Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of the 5 1/2% Convertible Preferred Stock, the Company redeemed 835 unconverted shares of Company preferred stock for an aggregate redemption price of $25.26354 per share ($25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends of $0.26354 per share). As of the redemption date, there are no longer any issued and outstanding shares of preferred stock.
	On October 23, 2012, the Board of Directors declared a two-for-one stock split on its common stock in the form of a 100 percent stock dividend, payable on December 14, 2012, to stockholders of record on November 30, 2012. Par value for common shares remained at $1.00 per share. As a result of the split, 12,460,000 additional shares were issued, and retained earnings were reduced by $12,460,000. All historical share and per share data disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been retroactively adjusted for the stock split.
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, treasury stock consisted of 3,231,289 shares and 3,175,638 shares of common stock, respectively. During 2013, 41,688 shares of Company common stock were purchased in the open market, 1,562 shares were received in lieu of cash from employees exercising stock options, and 17,345 shares were received to settle employees’ minimum statutory withholding taxes related to performance stock awards. Also, 4,944 shares of treasury stock were distributed to participants as part of Company’s deferred compensation plan.

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based Compensation	'
	12. Stock-based Compensation
	On December 31, 2013, the Company had stock options outstanding under its 2000 Stock Option Plan (2000 Plan), stock options and stock awards outstanding under its 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan (2006 Plan) and stock options, stock awards and SARs under its 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan (2011 Plan). Stock options, stock awards and SARs are granted to executives, key employees and outside directors. No further options or awards may be granted under the 2000 and 2006 Plans. The 2011 Plan authorized the award of 2,600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for stock options, SARs and stock awards. At December 31, 2013, there were 2,199,827 shares available for grant under the 2011 Plan.
	Compensation expense charged against income for all plans was $2,783,000, $3,122,000 and $3,676,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The total income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for share-based compensation arrangements was $1,059,000, $1,186,000 and $1,416,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Stock Options
	Under all plans, stock option awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant. The market price is defined and calculated as the average of the opening and closing prices for Company common stock on the grant date as reported in the New York Stock Exchange – Composite Transactions. The stock option awards generally vest based on two years of continuous service and have 8- to 10-year contractual terms. The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model incorporating the weighted-average assumptions noted in the following table. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The Company also uses historical data to estimate the expected term of options granted. The risk-free rate is the U.S. Treasury note rate that corresponds to the expected option term at the date of grant.
		For the Years Ended December 31
		2013		2012	2011
	Expected dividend yield	2.01%		2.10%	2.40%
	Expected volatility	42.48%		43.19%	43.60%
	Expected term	7.4 years		7.4 years	6.5 years
	Risk-free interest rate	1.53%		1.41%	2.91%
	A summary of stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
					Average		Average		Intrinsic Value
					Exercise Price		Remaining		$0
							Contractual
							Term
	Options
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013		684,110		$	24.15
	Granted		54,274			62.78
	Exercised		(227,410	)		17.89
	Forfeited		(5,862	)		51.26
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		505,112			30.8		5.74	$	17,593
	Vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2013		504,620			30.77		4.79		17,592
	Exercisable at December 31, 2013		392,000			24.69		3.68		16,046
	The weighted-average grant-date fair values of options awarded during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were $23.08, $15.73 and $13.81, respectively. The total intrinsic values of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 were $9,138,000,000, $17,163,000, and $6,262,000, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2013, the total unrecognized compensation cost for unvested stock options was $756,000. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.1 years.
	Cash received from stock option exercises under the Company’s stock option plans for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 was $3,977,000, $4,473,000 and $3,228,000, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from stock option exercises totaled $2,786,000, $6,411,000, and $2,103,000 for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Stock Awards
	In 2011, 2012, and 2013, the Company granted stock awards under the 2006 and 2011 Plans. The stock awards vest only upon the Company’s achievement of certain levels of consolidated net income and return on invested capital by the end of the specified measurement period, which is December 31, 2013, 2014 and 2015 for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 awards, respectively. The number of Company shares of common stock ultimately distributed, if any, is contingent upon the level of consolidated net income and return on invested capital attained. The fair value of stock awards equals the grant-date market price of the Company’s common stock, discounted for the estimated amount of dividends that would not be received during the measurement period. Compensation expense is recorded each reporting period based on the probable number of awards that will ultimately vest given the projected level of consolidated net income and return on invested capital. If at the end of the measurement period the performance objectives are not met, no compensation cost is recognized and any compensation expense recorded in prior periods is reversed.
	A summary of stock award activity for the year ended December 31, 2013, is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Unvested Stock Awards
	Unvested at January 1, 2013		242,856		$	37.83
	Granted		101,924			60.75
	Vested		—			—
	Forfeited		(123,690	)		37.19
	Unvested at December 31, 2013		221,090			48.75
	The weighted-average grant-date fair values of stock awards granted during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were $60.75, $41.00 and $35.79, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, under the current Company assumption as to the number of stock award shares that will probably vest at the measurement periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, there was $2,086,000 of unrecognized compensation cost for unvested stock awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over a period of 1.7 years.
	In general, it is the Company’s policy to issue new shares of its common stock upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of stock awards.
	SARs
	SARs, which were granted under the 2011 Plan for the first time in 2012, cliff vest after two years of continuous service, settle in cash and expire ten years from the grant date. Upon the exercise of a SARs award, a participant receives in cash an amount that equals the excess of the fair market value of a share of Company common stock at the date of exercise over the fair market value of a share of Company common stock at the date of grant (the exercise price). Because SARs are cash-settled, they are accounted for as liabilities that must be re-measured at fair value at the end of every reporting period until settlement. Compensation expense for each reporting period is based on the period-to-period change (or portion of the change, depending on the proportion of the vesting period that has been completed at the reporting date) in the fair value of the SARs.
	A summary of SARs activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 is presented below.
		Shares			Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
					Average		Average		Intrinsic Value
					Exercise Price		Remaining		$0
							Contractual
							Term
	SARs
	Outstanding at January 1, 2012		64,700		$	42.82
	Granted		92,735			62.92
	Forfeited		-9,124			55.5
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		148,311			54.6		8.74		1,635
	The weighted-average grant-date fair value of SARs granted during the years 2013 and 2012 was $23.12 and $15.73, respectively. The fair value for each SARs award was estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model incorporating the same assumptions as noted for stock options.
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the SARs liability recorded on the consolidated balance sheet (non-current liabilities) was $2,172,000 and $638,000, respectively. In addition, at December 31, 2013, there was $1,365,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested SARs. That cost is to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.1 years.

Deferred_Compensation

Deferred Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation Related Costs [Abstract]	'
Deferred Compensation	'
	13. Deferred Compensation
	The Company sponsors deferred compensation plans that allow management employees to defer receipt of their annual bonuses and outside directors to defer receipt of their fees until retirement, departure from the Company or as elected. Compensation expense and the related deferred compensation obligation are recorded when the underlying compensation is earned. Over time, the deferred obligation may increase or decrease based on the performance results of investment options chosen by the plan participants. The investment options include Company common stock and a limited selection of mutual funds. The Company maintains sufficient shares of treasury stock to cover the equivalent number of shares that result from participants elections of the Company common stock investment option. As a result, the Company must periodically purchase its common shares in the open market. The Company purchases shares of the applicable mutual funds to fund the portion of its deferred compensation liabilities tied to such investments.
	Some plan distributions may be made in cash or Company common stock at the option of the participant. Other plan distributions can only be made in Company common stock. For deferred compensation obligations that may be settled in cash or Company common stock at the option of the participant, the Company must record appreciation in the market value of the investment choices made by participants as additional compensation expense. Conversely, declines in the market value of the investment choices reduce compensation expense. Increases and decreases of compensation expense that result from fluctuations in the underlying investments are recorded in the administrative expense line of the consolidated statements of income. The additional compensation expense resulting from the appreciation of the market value and earnings of the selected investment options was $9,496,000 in 2013, $10,252,000 in 2012 and $1,529,000 in 2011. The increase in expense between 2011 and 2012 was primarily attributable to a 39 percent year-over-year increase in the market price of the Company’s common stock, to which a large portion of the deferred obligation is tied. The Company’s deferred compensation liability was $51,543,000 and $42,229,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	Because the obligations that must be settled only in Company common stock are treated as equity instruments, fluctuations in the market price of the underlying Company stock do not affect earnings.

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans

Postretirement Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation And Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Postretirement Benefit Plans	'
	14. Postretirement Benefit Plans
	Defined Benefit Plans
	The Company sponsors various funded qualified and unfunded non-qualified defined benefit pension plans, the most significant of which cover employees in the U.S. and U.K. locations. The various U.S. defined benefit pension plans were amended in 2005-2008 to freeze the plans by stopping the accrual of service benefits. The U.K. defined benefit pension plan was frozen in 2006. Benefits earned through the freeze dates are available to participants when they retire, in accordance with the terms of the plans. In addition, the Company established defined contribution plans to replace the frozen defined benefit pension plans.
	Obligations and Funded Status at December 31
	(In thousands)	United States						United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Change in benefit obligation
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	157,051		$	139,077		$	21,722		$	16,829
	Interest cost		6,424			6,880			899			841
	Actuarial (gain) loss		(14,142	)		15,590			(1,365	)		3,846
	Benefits paid		(4,825	)		(4,496	)		(521	)		(659	)
	Foreign exchange impact		—			—			360			865
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	144,508		$	157,051		$	21,095		$	21,722
	(In thousands)	United States						United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	124,682		$	104,178		$	18,390		$	15,695
	Actual return on plan assets		13,225			19,391			2,840			1,623
	Employer contributions		182			5,609			949			971
	Benefits paid		(4,825	)		(4,496	)		(521	)		(659	)
	Foreign exchange impact		—			—			546			760
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	133,264		$	124,682		$	22,204		$	18,390
	Over (Under) funded status at end of year	$	(11,244	)	$	(32,369	)	$	1,109		$	(3,332	)
	The amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31 consisted of
	(In thousands)	United States						United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Non-current asset	$	818		$	—		$	1,109		$	—
	Current liability		(185	)		(174	)		—			—
	Non-current liability		(11,877	)		(32,195	)		—			(3,332	)
	Net amount recognized	$	(11,244	)	$	(32,369	)	$	1,109		$	(3,332	)
	The amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31 consisted of
	(In thousands)	United States						United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net actuarial loss	$	26,802		$	50,450		$	2,147		$	5,699
	The accumulated benefit obligations at December 31, 2013, for the U.S. and U.K. defined benefit plans were $144,508,000 and $21,095,000, respectively. Below is information for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets at December 31:
	(In thousands)	United States						United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Projected benefit obligation	$	113,865		$	157,051		$	—		$	21,722
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	113,865			157,051		$	—			21,722
	Fair value of plan assets	$	101,803			124,682		$	—			18,390
	Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income
	Net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were as follows:
	(In thousands)	United States									United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2011			2013			2012			2011
	Interest cost	$	6,424		$	6,880		$	6,927		$	899		$	841		$	1,099
	Expected return on plan assets		(8,828	)		(8,423	)		(8,063	)		(941	)		(888	)		(1,042	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		5,109			3,573			2,853			288			49			204
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,705		$	2,030		$	1,717		$	246		$	2		$	261
	Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were as follows:
	(In thousands)	United States									United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2011			2013			2012			2011
	Net actuarial (gain) loss	$	-18,539		$	4,622		$	10,552		$	-3,264		$	3,111		$	-1,742
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		-5,109			-3,573			-2,853			-288			-49			-204
	Total recognized in other comprehensive income	$	-23,648		$	1,049		$	7,699		$	-3,552		$	3,062		$	-1,946
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$	-20,943		$	3,079		$	9,416		$	-3,306		$	3,064		$	-1,685
	The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2014 are as follows:
	(In thousands)	United States			United Kingdom
	Net actuarial loss	$	2,646		$	—
	Estimated Future Benefit Payments
	(In thousands)	United States			United Kingdom
	2014	$	5,948		$	503
	2015		6,713			510
	2016		7,345			581
2017		7,891			623
2018		8,388			676
2019-2023		47,844			3,746
Assumptions
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 were as follows:
	United States						United Kingdom
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Discount rate		4.87%			4.17%			4.60%			4.30%
The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs for years ended December 31 were as follows:
	United States									United Kingdom
	2013			2012			2011			2013			2012			2011
Discount rate		4.17	%		5.06	%		5.4	%		4.3	%		4.9	%		5.6	%
Expected long-term return on plan assets		7.75	%		7.75	%		7.75	%		5.25	%		5.46	%		6.78	%
In addition to the above assumptions, the Company uses a market-related value of assets approach to calculate the expected return on plan assets component of U.S. net periodic benefit cost. The market-related value equals the fair value of plan assets with five-year smoothing of asset gains or losses. Asset gains are subtracted or losses added in the following way: 80 percent of the prior year’s gain or loss; 60 percent of the second preceding year’s gain or loss; 40 percent of the third preceding year’s gain or loss; and 20 percent of the fourth preceding year’s gain or loss. Gains or losses for the year are calculated as the difference between the expected fair value of assets and the actual fair value of assets.
Investment Strategies and Policies
U.S. Plans
Plan assets are predominantly invested using active investment strategies, as compared to passive or index investing. An investment management firm hires and monitors underlying investment management firms for each asset category. Equity managers within each category cover a range of investment styles and approaches, including both active and passive, and are combined in a way that controls for capitalization, style biases, and country exposure versus benchmark indexes, while active managers focus primarily on stock selection to improve returns. Fixed income managers seek to reduce the volatility of the plan’s funded status by matching the duration with the plan’s liability while seeking to improve returns through security selection, sector allocation and yield curve management. Real estate uses public core real estate strategies, which provide stable and high levels of current income and enhanced core strategies, which seek slightly higher returns by emphasizing appreciation. Commodity managers are used to further diversify the portfolio and may serve as an inflation hedge and are benchmarked to a diversified commodities index.
Risk is controlled through diversification among multiple asset categories, managers, styles, and securities. The investment management firm recommends asset allocations based on the time horizon available for investment, the nature of the plan cash flows and liabilities and other factors that affect risk tolerance. The asset allocation targets are approved by the Company’s Plan Committee. Risk is further controlled both at the manager and asset category level by assigning targets for risk versus investment returns.
Allowable investment categories include:
Equities: Common stocks of large, medium, and small companies, including both U.S. and non-U.S. based companies. The long-term target allocation for equities, excluding Company stock, is 34 percent.
Fixed Income (Debt): Bonds or notes issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, and to a lesser extent, by non-U.S. governments, or by their agencies or branches, mortgage-backed securities, including collateralized mortgage obligations, corporate bonds, municipal bonds and dollar-denominated debt securities issued in the U.S. by non-U.S. banks and corporations. Up to 20 percent of the fixed income assets may be in debt securities that are below investment grade. The target allocation for fixed income is 35 percent.
Real Estate: Public real estate funds using office, apartment, industrial, retail, and other property types. The target allocation for real estate is 4 percent.
Commodities: Commodity funds that match the index using commodity-linked derivative instruments including swap agreements, commodity options, futures, options on futures and commodity-linked notes, while seeking to enhance overall returns through the use of fixed income securities. The target allocation for commodities is 2 percent.
Employer Securities: The retirement plans also hold shares of the Company’s common stock, which are purchased or sold by the trustee from time to time, as directed by the Plan Committee. At the direction of the Plan Committee, the plans sold 43,534 common shares to the Company’s ESOP trust on February 20, 2013, and 27,331 common shares on February 21, 2012. The target allocation for employer securities is 25 percent.
In addition to these primary investment types, excess cash may be invested in futures in order to efficiently achieve more fully invested portfolio positions. Otherwise, a small number of investment managers make limited use of derivatives, including futures contracts, options on futures and interest rate swaps in place of direct investment in securities to efficiently achieve equivalent market positions. Derivatives are not used to leverage portfolios.
U.K. Plan
The objective of the U.K. defined benefit pension fund investment strategy is to maximize the long-term rate of return on plan assets within a medium level of risk in order to minimize the cost of providing pension benefits. To that end, the plan assets are invested in an actively managed pooled fund of funds that diversifies its holdings among equity securities, debt securities, property and cash. Essentially, the plan is to hold equity instruments to back the benefits of participants yet to retire and bonds and cash to back current pensioners. Although there are no formal target allocations for the plan assets, the fund will generally be heavily invested in equity securities. Equity securities are selected from U.K., European, U.S. and emerging market companies. Bonds include U.K. and other countries’ government notes and corporate debt of U.K and non-U.K. companies. There are no specific prohibited investments, but the current managed fund will not allocate assets to derivatives or other financial hedging instruments. Plan trustees meet regularly with the fund manager to assess the fund’s performance and to reassess investment strategy.
At December 31, 2013, equities within the pooled pension fund comprised 24 percent U.K. companies, 39 percent U.S. companies, 14 percent other European companies and 23 percent companies from other regions of the world. The equities are spread across growth and value styles. Fixed income instruments primarily included U.K. bonds, mainly government fixed interest securities with short to mid-tem maturities. Fixed income instruments also included government fixed instrument securities of geographic areas other than the U.K.
Included in plan assets are insurance contracts purchased by the plan trustees to provide pension payments for specific retirees. In past years, at the time a plan participant retired, the plan trustee would periodically purchase insurance contracts to cover the future payments due the retiree. This practice is no longer followed. The contracts are revocable, and the related plan obligations are not considered settled. Therefore, the plan assets and obligations include the insured amounts.
Plan Assets
U.S. Plans
The Company’s asset allocations for its U.S. pension plans at December 31, 2013 and 2012, by asset category, were as follows:
	December 31, 2013
(In thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	—		$	2,471		$	—		$	2,471
Equity Securities
U.S. Equities		32,567			—			—			32,567
Non-U.S. Equities		11,892			—			—			11,892
Employer Securities		37,823			—			—			37,823
Total Equities		82,282			—			—			82,282
Fixed Income Securities
U.S. Corporate Bonds		—			24,733			—			24,733
U.S. Government and Agency Bonds		2,526			6,575			—			9,101
Municipal Bonds		—			3,116			—			3,116
Other Bonds		—			4,559			—			4,559
Total Fixed Income		2,526			38,983			—			41,509
Real Estate		6,090			—			—			6,090
Commodities		912			—			—			912
Total	$	91,810		$	41,454		$	—		$	133,264
	December 31, 2012
(In thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	—		$	3,965		$	—		$	3,965
Equity Securities
U.S. Equities		32,850			—			—			32,850
Non-U.S. Equities		11,373			—			—			11,373
Employer Securities		34,426			—			—			34,426
Total Equities		78,649			—			—			78,649
Fixed Income Securities
U.S. Corporate Bonds		—			19,873			—			19,873
U.S. Government and Agency Bonds		795			6,956			—			7,751
Municipal Bonds		—			2,837			—			2,837
Other Bonds		—			4,015			—			4,015
Total Fixed Income		795			33,681			—			34,476
Real Estate		4,990			—			—			4,990
Commodities		2,602			—			—			2,602
Total	$	87,036		$	37,646		$	—		$	124,682
Plan Asset Valuation Methodology
Following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for plan assets measured at fair value.
Individual equity securities, including employer securities, are valued by Standard & Poor’s Securities Evaluations as determined by quoted market prices on the New York Stock Exchange or other active markets. Both market pricing and future cash flow analysis may be used in the pricing process as follows:
Level 1 – Equities represent the largest asset category and are valued according to the exchange-quoted market prices of the underlying investments. Level 1 fixed income securities are U.S. government securities and are valued according to quoted prices from active markets.
Level 2 – Fixed income investments without equivalent trading exchanges are valued primarily through a technique known as “future cash flow approach” which is based on what bondholders can reasonably expect to receive based upon an issuer’s current financial condition. Pricing analysts prepare cash-flow forecasts and utilize one or two pricing models to arrive at an evaluated price. Evaluated bid modeling includes factors such as the interest rate on the coupon, maturity, rating, cash flow projections and other factors.
Market value changes within asset categories for which fair value measurements use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were as follows during 2012 (No Level 3 investments were held in 2013):
Dollars in thousands	Real Estate
	Fund
Market value, December 31, 2011	$	3,720
Sale proceeds		(3,916	)
Realized loss		840
Change in unrealized gain (loss)		(644	)
Market value, December 31, 2012	$	—
U.K. Plan
The Company’s asset allocations for its U.K. pension plans at December 31, 2013 and 2012, by asset category, were as follows:
	December 31, 2013
(In thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
Cash	$	412		$	—		$	—		$	412
Equity Securities
Pooled Pension Funds		—			15,397			—			15,397
Fixed Income
Pooled Pension Funds		—			3,550			—			3,550
Real Estate
Pooled Pension Funds		—			419			—			419
Insurance Contracts		—			—			2,426			2,426
Total	$	412		$	19,366		$	2,426		$	22,204
	December 31, 2012
(In thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
Cash	$	845		$	—		$	—		$	845
Equity Securities
Pooled Pension Funds		—			11,979			—			11,979
Fixed Income
Pooled Pension Funds		—			2,677			—			2,677
Real Estate
Pooled Pension Funds		—			452			—			452
Insurance Contracts		—			—			2,437			2,437
Total	$	845		$	15,108		$	2,437		$	18,390
Units of each of the pooled funds are valued by the trustee based on quoted market prices of the underlying investments (the underlying assets are either exchange traded or have readily available markets).
Fair value changes within asset categories for which fair value measurements use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were as follows during 2012 and 2013:
(In thousands)	Insurance Contracts
Fair value, December 31, 2011	$	2,218
Sale proceeds (benefit payments)		(173	)
Change in unrealized gain		288
Foreign exchange impact		104
Fair value, December 31, 2012	$	2,437
Sale proceeds (benefit payments)		(175	)
Change in unrealized gain		120
Foreign exchange impact		44
Fair value, December 31, 2013	$	2,426
Long-term Rate of Return for Plan Assets
U.S. Plans
The overall expected long-term rate of return on assets of 7.75 percent that was used to develop the 2013 pension expense is based on plan asset allocation, capital markets forecasts and expected benefits of active investment management. For fixed income, the expected return is 4.15 percent. This assumption includes the yield on the five-year zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bond as the base rate along with historical data from the U.S. Treasury yield curve. For equities, the expected return is 8.65 percent for U.S. and international equities. This return is based on a blended average of three different statistical models that each incorporates multiple factors including, for example, inflation, Gross Domestic Product and the Fed Funds Target Rate. For real estate, the expected return is 6.90 percent. For commodities, the expected return is 6.90 percent.
The overall investment return forecast reflects the target allocations and the capital markets forecasts for each asset category, plus a premium for active asset management expected over the long-term.
U.K. Plan
The overall expected long-term return on plan assets is a weighted-average of the expected long-term returns for equity securities, debt securities and other assets. The redemption yield at the measurement date on U.K. government fixed interest bonds and the yield on corporate bonds are used as proxies for the return on the debt portfolio. The returns for equities and property are estimated as a premium of 3.0 percent added to the risk-free rate. Cash is assumed to have a long-term return of 4.0 percent.
Other Defined Benefit Plans
The Company maintains unfunded defined benefit plans in other foreign locations. The liabilities and expenses associated with these plans are not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Discount rates for these plans are determined based on local interest rates and plan participant data.
Cash Flows
The Company expects to contribute $1,420,000 and $1,005,000 to its funded U.S. qualified and U.K. defined benefit plans, respectively, in 2014. The Company also expects to pay $185,000 in 2014 related to its unfunded non-qualified U.S. pension plans.
Defined Contribution Plans
The Company sponsors retirement savings defined contribution plans that cover U.S. and U.K. employees. The Company also sponsors a profit sharing plan for its U.S. employees. Profit sharing contributions are determined each year using a formula that is applied to Company earnings. The contributions are allocated to participant accounts on the basis of participant base earnings. The retirement savings and profit sharing defined contribution plans each include a qualified plan and a non-qualified supplemental executive plan.
Defined contribution plan expenses for the Company’s retirement savings plans and profit sharing plan were as follows:
(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
Retirement savings plans	$	4,500		$	4,284		$	4,033
Profit sharing plan		4,804			5,762			4,769
Total	$	9,304		$	10,046		$	8,802
In July 2011, the Company established a rabbi trust to fund the obligations of its previously unfunded non-qualified supplemental executive defined contribution plans (supplemental plans). The trust comprises various mutual fund investments selected by the participants of the supplemental plans. In accordance with the accounting guidance for rabbi trust arrangements, the assets of the trust and the obligations of the supplemental plans are reported on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company elected the fair value option for the mutual fund investment assets so that offsetting changes in the mutual fund values and defined contribution plan obligations would be recorded in earnings in the same period. Therefore, the mutual funds are reported at fair value with any subsequent changes in fair value recorded in the income statement. The supplemental plan liabilities increase (i.e., supplemental plan expense is recognized) when the value of the trust assets appreciates and decrease (i.e., supplemental plan income is recognized) when the value of the trust assets declines. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the trust asset balances were $1,849,000 and $1,572,000, respectively, and the supplemental plan liability balances were $1,899,000 and $1,642,000, respectively. The differences between the trust asset balances and the supplemental liability balances were due to estimated liabilities that were not funded until after the end of the year when the actual liabilities were determined.
In addition to the Company sponsored profit sharing plan, certain foreign locations are required by law to make profit sharing contributions to employees based on statutory formulas. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the Company recognized $1,999,000, $711,000 and $159,000, respectively, of statutory profit sharing expense.

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	15. Accrued Liabilities
	The composition of accrued liabilities was as follows:
		December  31
	(In thousands)	2013		2012
	Accrued payroll and benefits	$	39,722	$	42,404
	Accrued customer rebates		15,514		14,395
	Other accrued liabilities		21,103		15,862
	Total accrued liabilities	$	76,339	$	72,661

Other_NonCurrent_Liabilities

Other Non-Current Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Other Non-Current Liabilities	'
	16. Other Non-Current Liabilities
	The composition of other non-current liabilities was as follows:
		December  31
	(In thousands)	2013		2012
	Deferred revenue	$	4,045	$	1,614
	Environmental and legal matters		13,133		13,459
	Deferred compensation liability		50,728		41,665
	Pension liability		14,923		37,855
	Other non-current liabilities		5,777		4,074
	Total other non-current liabilities	$	88,606	$	98,667

Contingencies

Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Contingencies	'
	17. Contingencies
	There are a variety of legal proceedings pending or threatened against the Company. Some of these proceedings may result in fines, penalties, judgments or costs being assessed against the Company at some future time. The Company’s operations are subject to extensive local, state and federal regulations, including the U.S. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) and the Superfund amendments of 1986 (Superfund). Over the years, the Company has received requests for information related to or has been named by the government as a PRP at a number of waste disposal and manufacturing sites where clean up costs have been or may be incurred under CERCLA and similar state statutes. In addition, damages are being claimed against the Company in general liability actions for alleged personal injury or property damage in the case of some disposal and plant sites. The Company believes that it has made adequate provisions for the costs it may incur with respect to these sites.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company estimated a range of possible environmental and legal losses of $9.7 million to $28.9 million. The Company’s accrued liability for such losses, which represented the Company’s best estimate within the estimated range of possible environmental and legal losses, was $14.7 million at December 31, 2013, compared to $15.4 million at December 31, 2012. During 2013, cash outlays related to legal and environmental matters approximated $2.4 million compared to $3.3 million in 2012.
	For certain sites, the Company has responded to information requests made by federal, state or local government agencies but has received no response confirming or denying the Company’s stated positions. As such, estimates of the total costs, or range of possible costs, of remediation, if any, or the Company’s share of such costs, if any, cannot be determined with respect to these sites. Consequently, the Company is unable to predict the effect thereof on the Company’s financial position, cash flows and results of operations. Given the information available, management believes the Company has no liability at these sites. However, in the event of one or more adverse determinations with respect to such sites in any annual or interim period, the effect on the Company’s cash flows and results of operations for those periods could be material. Based upon the Company’s present knowledge with respect to its involvement at these sites, the possibility of other viable entities’ responsibilities for cleanup, and the extended period over which any costs would be incurred, the Company believes that these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position.
	Following are summaries of the material contingencies at December 31, 2013:
	Maywood, New Jersey Site
	The Company’s property in Maywood, New Jersey and property formerly owned by the Company adjacent to its current site and other nearby properties (Maywood site) were listed on the National Priorities List in September 1993 pursuant to the provisions of CERCLA because of certain alleged chemical contamination. Pursuant to an Administrative Order on Consent entered into between USEPA and the Company for property formerly owned by the Company, and the issuance of an order by USEPA to the Company for property currently owned by the Company, the Company has completed various Remedial Investigation Feasibility Studies (RI/FS) and has recorded a liability based on its best estimate of the remediation costs.
	On August 23, 2013, USEPA issued a Feasibility Study and a Proposed Plan selecting remedies for soil remediation which, in some cases, may be different from those the Company used in determining its best estimate. The Company submitted comments to USEPA on the Proposed Plan in December 2013. Those comments raised significant issues with both the Proposed Plan’s remedy selections and cost estimates. As a result, the Proposed Plan has had no impact on the Company’s recorded liability at this time. Until such time as USEPA completes its remedy selection process, the Company does not know the scope of remediation that may be required. At this time, based on its current review and analysis of the Proposed Plan, the Company’s recorded liability for claims associated with remediation of chemical contamination at the Maywood site represents its best estimate of the cost of remediation for the Maywood site. The estimated cost of such remediation could differ from the Company’s current recorded liability, for example, if the Proposed Plan is adopted without any changes or based on the availability of additional information.
	In addition, under the terms of a settlement agreement reached on November 12, 2004, the United States Department of Justice and the Company agreed to fulfill the terms of a Cooperative Agreement reached in 1985 under which the United States will take title to and responsibility for radioactive waste removal at the Maywood site, including past and future remediation costs incurred by the United States. As such, the Company recorded no liability related to this settlement agreement.
	D’Imperio Property Site
	During the mid-1970’s, Jerome Lightman and the Lightman Drum Company disposed of hazardous substances at several sites in New Jersey. The Company was named as a potentially responsible party (PRP) in the case United States v. Lightman (1:92-cv-4710 D.N.J.), which involved the D’Imperio Property Site located in New Jersey. In 2012, the PRPs approved certain changes to remediation cost estimates which were considered in the Company’s determination of its range of estimated possible losses and liability balance. The changes in range of possible losses and liability balance were immaterial.
	Remediation work is continuing at this site. Based on current information, the Company believes that its recorded liability for claims associated with the D’Imperio site is adequate. However, actual costs could differ from current estimates.
	Wilmington Site
	The Company is currently contractually obligated to contribute to the response costs associated with the Company’s formerly-owned site at 51 Eames Street, Wilmington, Massachusetts. Remediation at this site is being managed by its current owner to whom the Company sold the property in 1980. Under the agreement, once total site remediation costs exceed certain levels, the Company is obligated to contribute up to five percent of future response costs associated with this site with no limitation on the ultimate amount of contributions. To date, the Company has paid the current owner $2.2 million for the Company’s portion of environmental response costs through the third quarter of 2013 (the current owner of the site bills the Company one calendar quarter in arrears). The Company has recorded a liability for its portion of the estimated remediation costs for the site. Depending on the ultimate cost of the remediation at this site, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ from the current estimates.
	The Company and other prior owners also entered into an agreement in April 2004 waiving certain statute of limitations defenses for claims which may be filed by the Town of Wilmington, Massachusetts, in connection with this site. While the Company has denied any liability for any such claims, the Company agreed to this waiver while the parties continue to discuss the resolution of any potential claim which may be filed.
	The Company believes that based on current information it has adequate reserves for the claims related to this site. However, depending on the ultimate cost of the remediation at this site, the amount for which the Company is liable could differ from the current estimates.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	18. Segment Reporting
	The Company has three reportable segments: surfactants, polymers and specialty products. Each segment provides distinct products and requires separate management due to unique markets, technologies and production processes. Surfactants are used in a variety of consumer and industrial cleaning compounds as well as in agricultural products, lubricating ingredients, oil field chemicals and other specialized applications. Polymers are used primarily in plastics, building materials, refrigeration systems and CASE applications. Specialty products are used in food, flavoring, nutritional supplement and pharmaceutical applications.
	The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources based on operating income before interest income/expense, other income/expense items and income tax provisions. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.
	Segment data for the three years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, are as follows:
	(In thousands)		Surfactants			Polymers			Specialty			Segment
									Products			Totals
	2013
	Net sales		$	1,317,164		$	483,361		$	80,261		$	1,880,786
	Operating income			100,201			54,536			10,902			165,639
	Assets			710,521			292,015			68,413			1,070,949
	Capital expenditures			66,266			18,804			6,370			91,440
	Depreciation and			36,400			16,351			2,631			55,382
	amortization expenses
	2012
	Net sales		$	1,305,800		$	423,959		$	73,978		$	1,803,737
	Operating income			118,591			48,130			12,242			178,963
	Assets			692,891			199,013			58,810			950,714
	Capital expenditures			56,236			19,266			5,815			81,317
	Depreciation and			34,036			13,328			2,270			49,634
	amortization expenses
	2011
	Net sales		$	1,361,956		$	421,515		$	59,621		$	1,843,092
	Operating income			100,811			40,909			13,307			155,027
	Assets			624,425			174,029			54,296			852,750
	Capital expenditures			63,295			15,320			3,658			82,273
	Depreciation and			31,346			11,697			1,808			44,851
	amortization expenses
	Below are reconciliations of segment data to the consolidated financial statements:
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Operating income – segment totals		$	165,639		$	178,963		$	155,027
	Business restructuring (a)			(1,040	)		—			—
	Unallocated corporate expenses (b)			(55,446	)		(50,247	)		(36,571	)
	Total operating income			109,153			128,716			118,456
	Interest expense, net			(10,358	)		(9,599	)		(9,095	)
	Loss from equity in joint ventures			(5,336	)		(4,724	)		(3,616	)
	Other, net			2,171			1,329			(851	)
	Consolidated income before income taxes		$	95,630		$	115,722		$	104,894
	Assets – segment totals		$	1,070,949		$	950,714		$	852,750
	Unallocated corporate assets (c)			96,253			34,764			48,368
	Consolidated assets		$	1,167,202		$	985,478		$	901,118
	Capital expenditures – segment totals		$	91,440		$	81,317		$	82,273
	Unallocated corporate expenditures			1,425			1,842			893
	Consolidated capital expenditures		$	92,865		$	83,159		$	83,166
	Depreciation and amortization expenses – segment totals		$	55,382		$	49,634		$	44,851
	Unallocated corporate depreciation expenses			1,018			1,660			2,248
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization expenses		$	56,400		$	51,294		$	47,099
	(a)	See Note 21 regarding business restructuring costs for the Surfactants segment’s North American operations.
	(b)	Unallocated corporate expenses primarily comprise corporate administrative expenses (e.g., corporate finance, legal, human resources, information systems and deferred compensation) that are not included in segment operating income and not used to evaluate segment performance.
	(c)	The increase in unallocated corporate assets between 2012 and 2013 was primarily attributable to increases in the balances of U.S. cash and cash equivalents and mutual fund investment assets, which are not allocated to segments.
	Below is certain Company-wide geographic data for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Net sales (a)
	United States		$	1,103,181		$	1,076,222		$	1,086,233
	France (b)			221,971			298,158			316,514
	Poland (b)			122,215			19,588			12,382
	United Kingdom			104,470			103,523			122,100
	All other countries			328,949			306,246			305,863
	Total		$	1,880,786		$	1,803,737		$	1,843,092
	Long-lived assets (c)
	United States		$	330,799		$	246,118		$	230,926
	Germany			42,309			34,213			31,006
	Singapore			44,315			43,239			37,827
	Philippines			18,817			22,658			23,214
Brazil			22,920			18,410			18,773
United Kingdom			23,061			20,878			18,268
All other countries			47,216			52,483			42,150
Total		$	529,437		$	437,999		$	402,164
(a)	Net sales are attributed to countries based on selling location.
(b)	The 2012-to-2013 net sales increase for Poland and net sales decrease for France reflected the 2013 transfer of ownership of the Company’s European polymer intangibles from the Company’s France subsidiary to its Poland subsidiary, which resulted in European polymer sales being recognized in Poland instead of France.
(c)	Includes net property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	19. Earnings Per Share
	Below is the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. All historical share and per share data reflect the effects of the two-for-one common stock split that was effective December 14, 2012.
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)		2013		2012		2011
	Computation of Basic Earnings per Share
	Net income attributable to Stepan Company		$	72,828	$	79,396	$	71,976
	Deduct dividends on preferred stock			43		579		714
	Income applicable to common stock		$	72,785	$	78,817	$	71,262
	Weighted-average number of shares outstanding			22,621		21,273		20,726
	Basic earnings per share		$	3.22	$	3.71	$	3.44
	Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share
	Net income attributable to Stepan Company		$	72,828	$	79,396	$	71,976
	Weighted-average number of shares outstanding			22,621		21,273		20,726
	Add weighted-average net shares from assumed exercise of options (under treasury stock method) (1)			215		392		472
	Add weighted-average contingently issuable net shares related to performance stock awards (under treasury stock method)			—		12		52
	Add weighted-average unvested stock awards (under treasury stock method)			8		6		4
	Add weighted-average shares from assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock			80		1,047		1,186
	Weighted-average shares applicable to diluted earnings			22,924		22,730		22,440
	Diluted earnings per share		$	3.18	$	3.49	$	3.21
	(1)	Options to purchase 49,815, 16,444 and 91,449 shares of common stock were not included in the computations of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price for the common stock and their effect would have been antidilutive.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	'
	20. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Below is the change in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) balance by component (net of income taxes) for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013:
	(In thousands)		Foreign			Defined			Cash Flow			Total
			Currency			Benefit			Hedge
			Translation			Pension			Adjustments
			Adjustments			Plan
						Adjustments
	Balance at December 31, 2010		$	3,485		$	(29,084	)	$	—		$	(25,599	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			(12,571	)		(5,259	)		(1	)		(17,831	)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI			—			1,945			—			1,945
	Net current period other comprehensive income			(12,571	)		(3,314	)		(1	)		(15,886	)
	Balance at December 31, 2011		$	(9,086	)	$	(32,398	)	$	(1	)	$	(41,485	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			6,200			(5,387	)		116			929
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI			—			2,287			19			2,306
	Net current period other comprehensive income			6,200			(3,100	)		135			3,235
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	(2,886	)	$	(35,498	)	$	134		$	(38,250	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			(8,085	)		13,417			(32	)		5,300
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI			—			3,409			13			3,422
	Net current period other comprehensive income			(8,085	)		16,826			(19	)		8,722
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	(10,971	)	$	(18,672	)	$	115		$	(29,528	)
	Information regarding reclassifications out of AOCI for the three years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, is displayed below:
	Amounts Reclassified from AOCI (a)
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2011			Affected Line Item in Consolidated
												Statements of Income
	Amortization of defined pension items:
	Prior service cost		$	(19	)	$	(18	)	$	(19	)
	Actuarial loss			(5,410	)		(3,632	)		(3,067	)
	Transition obligation			(2	)		(18	)		(27	)
				(5,431	)		(3,668	)		(3,113	)	Total before tax (b)
				2,022			1,381			1,168		Tax (expense) or benefit
			$	(3,409	)	$	(2,287	)	$	(1,945	)	Net of tax
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate contracts		$	(37	)	$	(27	)	$	—		Interest, net
	Foreign exchange
	contracts			10			—			—		Cost of sales
				(27	)		(27	)		—		Total before tax
				14			8			—		Tax (expense) or benefit
			$	(13	)	$	(19	)	$	—		Net of tax
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	(3,422	)	$	(2,306	)	$	(1,945	)	Net of tax
	(a)	Amounts in parentheses denote expense to statement of income.
	(b)	This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 14 for details regarding net periodic benefit costs for the Company’s U.S. and U.K. defined benefit plans).

Business_Restructuring

Business Restructuring	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring And Related Activities [Abstract]	'
Business Restructuring	'
	21. Business Restructuring
	In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company approved a plan to consolidate a portion of its North American surfactants manufacturing operations (part of the surfactants reportable segment) to reduce costs and increase operating efficiencies. The Company will shut down certain production areas at its Canada manufacturing site, which will result in the elimination of an estimated 20 North American positions. Production of affected products currently manufactured in Canada will be moved to U.S. plants. The restructuring effort is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2014.
	For the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized $1,040,000 of one-time severance expenses, which is an estimate of the total termination costs to be incurred as part of the restructuring. Most of the severance payments are expected to be made in the third quarter of 2014. Other restructuring costs are not expected to be material.
	In addition to the restructuring costs, the Company reduced the useful lives of the manufacturing assets in the affected areas of the Canada plant. As a result, the Company recognized $296,000 of additional depreciation expense for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2013. The expense was included in the cost of sales line of the consolidated statement of income. The change in the useful lives of the assets will add about $1,800,000 of depreciation expense in the first half of 2014.

Insurance_Recovery

Insurance Recovery	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Extraordinary And Unusual Items [Abstract]	'
Insurance Recovery	'
	22. Insurance Recovery
	The Company received insurance recoveries of $3,730,000 and $1,188,000 in 2013 and 2012, respectively, for business interruption losses resulting from a May 2011 fire that damaged polyol manufacturing equipment at the Company’s plant site in Wesseling, Germany. The insurance recoveries were recorded as reductions of cost of sales in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Purchase_of_the_Remaining_Inte

Purchase of the Remaining Interest in Stepan Philippines, Inc	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity Method Investments And Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Purchase of the Remaining Interest in Stepan Philippines, Inc	'
	23. Purchase of the Remaining Interest in Stepan Philippines, Inc
	On March 22, 2012, the Company purchased the remaining interest in Stepan Philippines, Inc. (SPI), increasing the Company’s ownership share from 88.8 percent to 100 percent. To acquire the remaining interest in SPI, the Company paid $2,000,000 of cash to the holder of the noncontrolling interest. As a result of this transaction, the Company’s equity (additional paid-in capital) increased by $551,000. In addition, $197,000 of cumulative translation adjustments (gains) that previously had been allocated to the noncontrolling interest was reclassified to the Company’s AOCI.

Statement_of_Cash_Flows_Noncas

Statement of Cash Flows - Noncash Investing and Financing Activities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'
Statement of Cash Flows - Noncash Investing and Financing Activities	'
	24. Statement of Cash Flows – Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
	Noncash financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, included the receipt of shares of the Company’s common stock tendered in lieu of cash by employees exercising stock options. The tendered shares, which were owned by employees for more than six months, had values of $92,000 in 2013 (1,562 shares), $8,400,000 in 2012 (176,114 shares) and $1,330,000 in 2011 (33,286 shares) and were recorded as treasury stock. Noncash financing activities for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 also included the issuance of 48,973 shares, 84,568 shares and 108,104 shares, respectively, of Company common stock (values of $2,999,000, $3,659,000 and $3,836,000, respectively) related to the Company’s performance stock award plan. Noncash investing activities included unpaid liabilities (accounts payable) incurred for fixed asset acquisitions of approximately $11,772,000 in 2013, $10,467,000 in 2012 and $11,723,000 in 2011.

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D

Selected Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Selected Quarterly Financial Data	'
	Selected Quarterly Financial Data
	(In thousands, except per share data)
	Unaudited
		2013
	Quarter	First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
	Net Sales	$	456,546		$	474,445		$	475,466		$	474,329		$	1,880,786
	Gross Profit		72,700			73,707			74,341			60,937			281,685
	Operating Income		28,294			35,869			31,085			13,905			109,153
	Interest, net		(2,179	)		(2,329	)		(2,987	)		(2,863	)		(10,358	)
	Income Before Income Taxes		25,273			32,200			27,847			10,310			95,630
	Net Income		18,997			22,654			20,149			10,537			72,337
	Net Income Attributable to Stepan Company		19,034			22,742			20,402			10,650			72,828
	Per Diluted Share		0.83			0.99			0.89			0.46			3.18
		2012
	Quarter	First			Second			Third			Fourth			Year
	Net Sales	$	465,269		$	470,231		$	440,978		$	427,259		$	1,803,737
	Gross Profit		76,784			73,396			71,253			70,120			291,553
	Operating Income		35,400			34,821			33,891			24,604			128,716
	Interest, net		(2,604	)		(2,086	)		(2,684	)		(2,225	)		(9,599	)
	Income Before Income Taxes		32,720			31,518			30,235			21,249			115,722
	Net Income		22,364			21,511			20,319			15,493			79,687
	Net Income Attributable to Stepan Company		22,302			21,425			20,230			15,439			79,396
	Per Diluted Share		0.98			0.94			0.89			0.68			3.49

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations	'
	Nature of Operations
	Stepan Company (the Company) operations consist predominantly of the production and sale of specialty and intermediate chemicals, which are sold to other manufacturers for use in a variety of end products. Principal markets for all products are manufacturers of cleaning and washing compounds (including detergents, shampoos, fabric softeners, toothpastes and household cleaners), paints, cosmetics, food, beverages, nutritional supplements, agricultural products, plastics, furniture, automotive equipment, insulation and refrigeration.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires Company management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries in which the Company exercises controlling influence. The equity method is used to account for investments in which the Company exercises significant but noncontrolling influence. Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
	The Company is a partner in two joint ventures: Nanjing Stepan Jinling Chemical Limited Liability Company (Stepan China) in Nanjing, China, and TIORCO, LLC in Denver, Colorado. The Company has an 80 percent ownership interest in the Stepan China joint venture and exercises controlling influence. Therefore, Stepan China’s accounts are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The joint venture partner’s interest in Stepan China’s net income is reported in the net income attributable to noncontrolling interests line of the consolidated statements of income. The joint venture partner’s interest in the net assets of Stepan China is reported in the noncontrolling interests line (a component of equity separate from Company equity) of the consolidated balance sheets.
	TIORCO, LLC is equally owned and controlled by the Company and Nalco Company (now a part of Ecolab Inc.). The Company’s investment in TIORCO, LLC is accounted for using the equity method and is included in the other non-current assets line on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company’s share of TIORCO, LLC’s net earnings is included in the loss from equity in joint ventures line of the consolidated statements of income.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	The Company considers all highly liquid investments with purchased maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $133,347,000, including $66,002,000 in two separate U.S. money market funds, each of which was rated AAA by Standard and Poor’s and Aaa by Moody’s. Cash in U.S. demand deposit accounts totaled $15,873,000 and cash of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries held outside the U.S. totaled $51,472,000 as of December 31, 2013.
Receivables and Credit Risk	'
	Receivables and Credit Risk
	Receivables are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts and other allowances and primarily include trade receivables, as well as nontrade receivables from suppliers, governmental tax agencies and others.
	The Company is exposed to credit risk on accounts receivable balances. This risk is mitigated by the Company’s large, diverse customer base, which is dispersed over various geographic regions and industrial sectors. No single customer comprised more than 10 percent of the Company’s consolidated net sales in 2013, 2012 or 2011.
	The Company maintains allowances for potential credit losses. Specific customer allowances are recorded when a review of customer creditworthiness and current economic conditions indicate that collection is doubtful. In addition, the Company maintains a general allowance as a percentage of total trade receivables. The general allowance percentage is periodically reviewed and adjusted based on historical bad debt losses of the Company.
	The Company also maintains other customer allowances that occur in the normal course of business. Such allowances are based on historical averages and trade receivable levels.
	The following is an analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts and other accounts receivable allowances for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012		2011
	Balance at January 1	$	5,533		$	5,214	$	6,145
	Provision charged (credited) to income		719			314		(568	)
	Accounts written off, net of recoveries		(307	)		5		(363	)
	Balance at December 31	$	5,945		$	5,533	$	5,214
Inventories	'
	Inventories
	Inventories are valued at cost, which is not in excess of market value, and include material, labor and plant overhead costs. The last-in, first-out (LIFO) method is used to determine the cost of the Company’s U.S. inventories. The first-in, first-out (FIFO) method is used for all other inventories. Inventories priced at LIFO as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, accounted for 64 and 59 percent of total inventories, respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment	'
	Property, Plant and Equipment
	Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Lives used for calculating depreciation are generally 30 years for buildings and 15 years for building improvements. For assets classified as machinery and equipment, lives generally used for calculating depreciation expense range from 10 to 15 years for manufacturing equipment, five to 10 years for furniture and fixtures, three to five years for vehicles and three to 10 years for computer equipment and software. Manufacturing of chemicals is capital intensive with over 90 percent of the assets included in machinery and equipment representing manufacturing equipment. Major renewals and betterments are capitalized in the property accounts, while maintenance and repairs ($48,683,000, $45,072,000, and $43,128,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively), which do not renew or extend the life of the respective assets, are charged to operations as incurred. Land is not depreciated. The cost of property retired or sold and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in income.
	Included in the computer equipment and software component of machinery and equipment are costs related to the acquisition and development of internal-use software. Capitalized costs include external direct costs of materials and services consumed in obtaining and developing the software. For development projects where major internal resources are committed, payroll and payroll-related costs incurred during the application development phase of the project are also capitalized. The capitalized costs are amortized over the useful lives of the software, which are generally three to 10 years. Costs incurred in the preliminary project phase are expensed.
	Interest charges on borrowings applicable to major construction projects are capitalized.
	Property, plant and equipment assets are tested for impairment when events indicate that impairment may have occurred.
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Furthermore, GAAP establishes a framework, in the form of a three-level hierarchy, for measuring fair value that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The following describes the hierarchy levels:
	Level 1 - quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
	Level 2 - inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
	Level 3 - unobservable inputs which reflect the entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants use in pricing the assets and liabilities.
	The Company applies the fair value measurement provisions of GAAP to any of its financial assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets (see Note 3), its outstanding debt for disclosure purposes (also Note 7) and its pension plan assets (see Note 14).
	The Company also applies the fair value measurement requirements to nonrecurring fair value measurements of nonfinancial assets and liabilities recorded in conjunction with business combinations and as part of impairment reviews for goodwill and other long-lived assets.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue is recognized upon shipment of goods to customers, at which time title and risk of loss pass to the customer. For arrangements where the Company consigns product to a customer location, revenue is recognized when the customer uses the inventory. The Company records shipping and handling billed to a customer in a sales transaction as revenue. Costs incurred for shipping and handling are reported in cost of sales. Volume discounts due customers are estimated and recorded in the same period as the sales to which the discounts relate and reported as reductions of revenue in the consolidated statements of income.
Cost of Sales	'
	Cost of Sales
	Cost of sales comprises raw material costs, including inbound freight expense to deliver the raw materials, manufacturing plant labor expenses and various manufacturing overhead expenses, which include utility, maintenance, operating supply, amortization and manufacturing asset depreciation expenses. Cost of sales also includes outbound freight expenses, purchasing and receiving costs, quality assurance expenses, inter-plant transfer costs and warehouse expenses.
Operating Expenses	'
	Operating Expenses
	Selling expense comprises salary and the related fringe benefit expenses for marketing and sales personnel and operating costs, such as outside agent commissions, automobile rental and travel-related expenses, which support the sales and marketing functions. Bad debt charges and any depreciation expenses related to marketing assets (e.g., computers) are also classified as marketing expense.
	Administrative expense comprises salary and the related fringe benefit expenses and operating costs for the Company’s various administrative functions, which include information services, finance, legal, and human resources. Compensation expense related to the Company’s deferred compensation plans and legal and environmental remediation expenses are also classified as administrative expense.
	The Company’s research and development costs are expensed as incurred. These expenses are aimed at discovery and commercialization of new knowledge with the intent that such effort will be useful in developing a new product or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process. Total research and development expenses were $28,782,000, $28,032,000 and $25,128,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The remainder of research, development and technical service expenses reflected on the consolidated statements of income relates to technical services, which include routine product testing, quality control and sales support service.
Environmental Expenditures	'
	Environmental Expenditures
	Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed in cost of sales or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that mitigate or prevent environmental contamination and that benefit future operations are capitalized. Capitalized expenditures are depreciated generally utilizing a 10 year life. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, and which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation, are expensed to administrative expense. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable and the cost or range of possible costs can be reasonably estimated. When no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum is accrued. Some of the factors on which the Company bases its estimates include information provided by feasibility studies, potentially responsible party negotiations and the development of remedial action plans. Because reported liabilities are recorded based on estimates, actual amounts could significantly differ from those estimates. Legal costs related to environmental matters are expensed as incurred (see Note 17 for environmental contingencies).
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Intangible assets include patents, agreements not to compete, trademarks, customer lists, technological and manufacturing know-how and goodwill, all of which were acquired as part of business or product line acquisitions. The Company separately identifies intangible assets other than goodwill and amortizes them in accordance with their useful lives, generally ranging from five to 15 years. Goodwill is not amortized. Goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if an event indicates that impairment may have occurred. Finite life intangible assets are tested for impairment when events indicate that impairment may have occurred. For more details see Note 5.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets or liabilities are computed using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for changes in tax rates or laws, and the effects of the changes are recorded in income in the period of enactment. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when the Company determines that it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.
	The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. If the tax position meets the more-likely-than-not threshold, the tax benefit recognized in the consolidated financial statements is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon effective settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits, which are differences between the tax position taken on a tax return and the amounts recognized in the financial statements, are recorded either as an increase to a tax liability or as a decrease to an income tax receivable. The Company includes estimated interest and penalty amounts related to the unrecognized tax benefits in the tax provision.
	See Note 10 for detailed information about income taxes.
Translation of Foreign Currencies	'
	Translation of Foreign Currencies
	Assets and liabilities of consolidated foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at year end. The resulting translation adjustments are included in stockholders’ equity. Revenues and expenses for the consolidated foreign subsidiaries are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Gains or losses on foreign currency transactions are reflected in the other, net caption of the consolidated statements of income.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company grants stock options, performance stock awards and stock appreciation rights (SARs) to certain employees under its incentive compensation plans. The Company calculates the fair values of stock options, performance stock awards and SARs on the date such instruments are granted. The fair values of the stock option and performance stock awards are then recognized as compensation expense over the vesting periods of the instruments. SARs, which were granted for the first time in 2012, are cash-settled and, therefore, accounted for as liabilities that must be re-measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period. Compensation expense for each reporting period is based on the period-to-period change (or portion of the change, depending on the proportion of the vesting period that has been completed at the reporting date) in the fair value of the SARs. See Note 12 for detailed information about the Company’s stock-based compensation.
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per share amounts are computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Net income used in computing basic earnings per share is net income attributable to the Company reduced by dividends paid to preferred stockholders. Diluted earnings per share amounts are based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus the increased number of common shares that would be outstanding assuming the exercise of certain outstanding stock options (under the treasury stock method), the conversion of the convertible preferred stock (when such conversion would have the effect of reducing earnings per share), and contingent stock awards that are part of the Company’s incentive stock-based compensation program (see Note 12). All share and per share data reflect the two-for-one common stock split that was effective December 14, 2012. See Note 19 for detailed information about the Company’s earnings per share calculations.
Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income includes net income and all other non-owner changes in equity that are not reported in net income. Comprehensive income is disclosed in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) is reported as a component of stockholders’ equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. See Note 20 for detailed information regarding changes in the Company’s AOCI and reclassifications out of AOCI to income.
Segment Reporting	'
	Segment Reporting
	The Company reports financial and descriptive information about its reportable operating segments. Operating segments are components of the Company that have separate financial information that is regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker to assess segment performance and allocate resources. The Company discloses segment revenue, operating income, assets, capital expenditures and depreciation and amortization expenses. Enterprise-wide financial information about the geographic locations in which the Company earns revenues and holds assets is also disclosed (see Note 18).
Derivative Instruments	'
	Derivative Instruments
	Derivative instruments are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities measured at fair value. For derivative instruments that are not designated as hedging instruments, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments are recognized currently in earnings. For derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments are either offset in earnings against changes in the fair values of the hedged items or recognized in AOCI until the hedged transaction is recognized in earnings. At the time a hedging relationship is designated, the Company establishes the method it will use for assessing the effectiveness of the hedge and the measurement approach for determining the ineffective aspect of the hedge. Company policy prohibits the use of derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. See Note 4 for further information regarding the Company’s use of derivatives.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company held open forward contracts for the purchase of 1.2 million dekatherms of natural gas in 2014 at a cost of $4,866,000. The Company uses forward contracts to minimize its exposure to volatile natural gas prices. Because the Company anticipates taking delivery of the gas for use in its operations, the contracts qualify for the normal purchase exception election provided under the accounting rules for derivative instruments. The Company has elected the exceptions for such contracts. As a result, the contracts are not accounted for as derivative instruments. The cost of natural gas is charged to expense at the time the gas is delivered and used.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. Also, in January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. These updates create new disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity’s rights of setoff and related arrangements associated with its derivatives, repurchase agreements and securities lending transactions. Entities are required to apply the new disclosure requirements for annual and interim reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. Retrospective application is required. Adoption of the new requirements did not have an effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, because the Company does not have arrangements where rights of offset exist, adoption of the standard did not have an effect on Company disclosures.
	In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. The amendments in this update aim to simplify the impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets by permitting an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired as a basis for determining whether the quantitative impairment test included in Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 350-30, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – General Intangibles Other than Goodwill must be performed. The amendment is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012. The Company currently has no indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill reported on its consolidated balance sheet. As such, adoption of this amendment did not have an effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which adds new disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of AOCI and expands the existing disclosure requirements for the presentation of changes in AOCI. The amendment is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. Because this update affects only the disclosures for AOCI, adoption of the requirements did not have an effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405), Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date.This update requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of a) the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and b) any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The update also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The requirements of ASU No. 2013-04 are effective on a retrospective basis for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2013. Because the Company has no applicable obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements, adoption of ASU No. 2013-04 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. The update clarifies that unrecognized tax benefits related to a net operating loss carryforward, or similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward, should generally be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset. The requirements of ASU No. 2013-11 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The update allows for early adoption. The Company currently has no unrecognized tax benefits in jurisdictions where a net operating loss carryforward, or similar tax loss, or tax credit carryforward exists. As such, the adoption of the new guidance will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Other Accounts Receivable Allowance	'
	The following is an analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts and other accounts receivable allowances for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012		2011
	Balance at January 1	$	5,533		$	5,214	$	6,145
	Provision charged (credited) to income		719			314		(568	)
	Accounts written off, net of recoveries		(307	)		5		(363	)
	Balance at December 31	$	5,945		$	5,533	$	5,214

Acquisitions_Tables

Acquisitions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Pro Forma Financial Information	'
	The following is pro forma financial information prepared under the assumption that the acquisition of the BMS North American polyester resins business occurred on January 1, 2012.
	Pro Forma Financial Information
	Unaudited
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	Year Ended
		December 31
		2013		2012
	Net Sales	$	1,907,607	$	1,866,209
	Net Income Attributable to Stepan Company	$	73,609	$	80,353
	Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Stepan Company:
	Basic	$	3.25	$	3.75
	Diluted	$	3.21	$	3.54
Bayer Material Science [Member]	'
Summary of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
	(Dollars in thousands)	June 1, 2013
	Assets:
	Inventory	$	9,002
	Property, plant and equipment		37,000
	Identifiable intangible assets		17,800
	Goodwill		4,642
	Total assets acquired	$	68,444
	Liabilities:
	Accrued expenses		232
	Net assets acquired	$	68,212
Lipid Nutrition [Member]	'
Summary of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	'
	The following table summarizes the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at June 23, 2011:
	(In thousands)	June 23, 2011
	Assets:
	Inventory	$	5,000
	Identifiable intangible assets:
	Patents		6,948
	Customer lists		736
	Trademarks, know-how		429
	Total identifiable intangible assets		8,113
	Goodwill		483
	Total assets acquired	$	13,596
	Current liabilities	$	34
	Net assets acquired	$	13,562

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value of Debt and Related Carrying Values	'
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the fair values of debt and the related carrying values, including current maturities, were as follows:
	(In thousands)	December 31
		2013		2012
	Fair value	$	276,069	$	194,620
	Carrying value		270,623		182,402
Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis at Fair Value	'
	The following tables present financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at fair value as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurement falls:
	(In thousands)	December		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		2013
	Mutual fund assets	$	18,305	$	18,305	$	—	$	—
	Derivative assets:
	Foreign currency contracts		74		—		74		—
	Total assets at fair value	$	18,379	$	18,305	$	74	$	—
	Derivative liabilities :
	Foreign currency contracts	$	165	$	—	$	165	$	—
	Interest rate contracts		20		—		20		—
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	185	$	—	$	185	$	—
	(In thousands)	December		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
		2012
	Mutual fund assets	$	14,093	$	14,093	$	—	$	—
	Derivative assets:
	Foreign currency contracts		67		—		67		—
	Total assets at fair value	$	14,160	$	14,093	$	67	$	—
	Derivative liabilities:
	Foreign currency contracts	$	2	$	—	$	2	$	—
	Interest rate contracts		57		—		57		—
	Total liabilities at fair value	$	59	$	—	$	59	$	—

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_1

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	The changes in carrying value of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, were as follows:
	(In thousands)		Surfactants						Polymer				Specialty Products				Total
			Segment						Segment				Segment
			2013			2012			2013		2012		2013		2012		2013			2012
	Balance as of January 1
	Goodwill		$	9,246		$	9,143		$	937	$	841	$	483	$	483	$	10,666		$	10,467
	Accumulated impairment loss			(3,467	)		(3,467	)		—		—		—		—		(3,467	)		(3,467	)
				5,779			5,676			937		841		483		483		7,199			7,000
	Goodwill acquired (1)			—			—			4,642		—		—		—		4,642			—
	Foreign currency translation			(139	)		103			24		96		—		—		(115	)		199
	Balance as of December 31
	Goodwill			9,107			9,246			5,603		937		483		483		15,193			10,666
	Accumulated impairment loss			(3,467	)		(3,467	)		—		—		—		—		(3,467	)		(3,467	)
				5,640		$	5,779			5,603	$	937	$	483	$	483		11,726		$	7,199
	(1)	See Note 2 for information regarding the goodwill acquired in business combinations.
Components of Other Intangible Assets and Changes in Gross Carrying Values	'
	The following table reflects the components of other intangible assets, all of which have finite lives, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. The year-over-year changes in gross carrying values resulted from the 2013 acquisition disclosed in Note 2, removal of fully amortized intangibles from the table and the effects of foreign currency translation.
	(In thousands)		Gross Carrying Value						Accumulated Amortization
			December 31						December 31
			2013			2012			2013		2012
	Other Intangible Assets:
	Patents		$	6,947		$	8,947		$	1,498	$	2,831
	Trademarks			4,087			5,843			345		5,468
	Customer lists			8,094			7,359			1,098		5,802
	Know-how (a)			8,313			8,950			831		8,453
	Non-compete agreements			0			1,235			0		1,002
	Total		$	27,441		$	32,334		$	3,772	$	23,556
	(a)	Know-how includes intellectual property rights covering proprietary information, written formulae, trade secrets or secret processes, inventions and developmental products (whether patentable or not), discoveries, improvements, compositions, manufacturing processes, manuals, specifications and technical data.
Estimated Amortization Expense for Identifiable Intangibles Assets	'
	Aggregate amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, was $2,832,000, $2,516,000 and $2,164,000, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for identifiable intangibles assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:
	(In thousands)
	For year ended 12/31/14			$2,853
	For year ended 12/31/15			$2,831
	For year ended 12/31/16			$2,683
	For year ended 12/31/17			$2,566
	For year ended 12/31/18			$2,566

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Composition of Inventories	'
	The composition of inventories at December 31, 2013 and 2012, was as follows:
		December 31
	(In thousands)	2013		2012
	Finished products		123,211	$	113,589
	Raw materials		49,156		48,424
	Total inventories		172,368	$	162,013

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt	'
	Debt comprised the following at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
	(In thousands)	Maturity			December 31,			December 31,
		Dates			2013			2012
	Unsecured private placement notes
	3.86%		2019-2025		$	100,000		$	—
	4.86%		2017-2023			65,000			65,000
	5.88%		2016-2022			40,000			40,000
	5.69%		2014-2018			28,571			34,286
	6.86%		2014-2015			8,570			12,856
	Debt of foreign subsidiaries
	Secured bank term loans, foreign currency		2014-2016			5,843			9,531
	Secured bank term loan, U.S. dollars		—			—			3,500
	Unsecured bank debt, U.S. dollars		2014			998			—
	Unsecured bank debt, foreign currency		—			—			—
	Other loans, foreign currency		2014-2015			21,641			17,229
	Total debt				$	270,623		$	182,402
	Less current maturities					35,377			32,838
	Long-term debt				$	235,246		$	149,564
Schedule of Net Interest Expense	'
	Net interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, comprised the following:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Interest expense	$	11,104		$	9,998		$	9,839
	Interest income		(57	)		(112	)		(359	)
			11,047			9,886			9,480
	Capitalized interest		(689	)		(287	)		(385	)
	Interest expense, net	$	10,358		$	9,599		$	9,095

Leased_Properties_Tables

Leased Properties (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Consolidated Company Minimum Future Rental Payments Under Operating Leases With Terms in Excess of One Year	'
	Consolidated Company minimum future rental payments under operating leases with terms in excess of one year as of December 31, 2013, are:
	(In thousands)	Year		Amount
			2014	$	4,170
			2015		3,529
			2016		2,963
			2017		1,942
			2018		1,723
			Subsequent to 2018		17,795
	Total minimum future rental payments			$	32,122

Other_Net_Tables

Other, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Income And Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other Net in the Consolidated Statements of Income	'
	Other, net in the consolidated statements of income included the following:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Foreign exchange loss	$	(1,495	)	$	(304	)	$	(800	)
	Investment related income		1,055			173			105
	Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments		2,611			1,460			(156	)
	Other, net	$	2,171		$	1,329		$	(851	)

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Provision for Taxes on Income and Other Related Income Before Taxes	'
	The provisions for taxes on income and the related income before taxes for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Taxes on Income
	Federal
	Current	$	9,744		$	23,744		$	16,901
	Deferred		(285	)		(525	)		4,894
	State
	Current		1,223			1,999			3,677
	Deferred		(680	)		(537	)		174
	Foreign
	Current		12,067			10,158			6,658
	Deferred		1,224			1,196			(12	)
	Total	$	23,293		$	36,035		$	32,292
	Income before Taxes
	Domestic	$	50,626		$	80,371		$	83,333
	Foreign		45,004			35,351			21,561
	Total	$	95,630		$	115,722		$	104,894
Summary of Variations Between the Effective and Statutory U.S. Federal Income Tax Rates	'
	The variations between the effective and statutory U.S. federal income tax rates are summarized as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013			%			2012			%			2011			%
		Amount						Amount						Amount
	Federal income tax provision at statutory tax rate	$	33,471			35		$	40,503			35		$	36,713			35
	State tax provision on income less applicable federal tax benefit		353			0.4			1,470			1.3			2,413			2.3
	Foreign income taxed at different rates		(2,509	)		(2.6	)		(1,172	)		(1.0	)		(900	)		(0.9	)
	Repatriation of foreign earnings		146			0.2			24			—			—			—
	Domestic production activities deduction		(991	)		(1.0	)		(1,446	)		(1.2	)		(1,339	)		(1.3	)
	Nontaxable foreign interest income		(2,614	)		(2.7	)		(2,690	)		(2.3	)		(2,719	)		(2.6	)
	Nontaxable biodiesel excise credit income		(2,347	)		(2.5	)		—			—			—			—
	U.S. tax credits		(2,209	)		(2.3	)		—			—			(1,482	)		(1.4	)
	Non-deductible expenses and other items, net		(7	)		(0.1	)		(654	)		(0.7	)		(394	)		(0.3	)
	Total income tax provision	$	23,293			24.4		$	36,035			31.1		$	32,292			30.8
Schedule Showing Tax Effects of Significant Temporary Differences Representing Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the tax effects of significant temporary differences representing deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012
	Deferred Tax Liabilities:
	Depreciation	$	(57,113	)	$	(50,011	)
	Amortization of intangibles		(49	)		(456	)
	Unrealized foreign exchange loss		(910	)		(602	)
	Other		(823	)		(918	)
		$	(58,895	)	$	(51,987	)
	Deferred Tax Assets:
	Pensions	$	5,640		$	15,148
	Deferred revenue		3,058			718
	Other accruals and reserves		12,061			10,979
	Inventories		1,158			496
	Legal and environmental accruals		6,594			6,463
	Deferred compensation		20,510			17,461
	Bad debt and rebate reserves		3,018			2,884
	Subsidiaries net operating loss carryforwards		899			1,390
	Tax credit carryforwards		915			532
		$	53,853		$	56,071
	Valuation Allowance	$	(1,302	)	$	(603	)
	Net Deferred Tax (Liabilities) Assets	$	(6,344	)	$	3,481
	Reconciliation to Consolidated Balance Sheet:
	Current deferred tax assets	$	12,637		$	9,876
	Non-current deferred tax assets (in other non-current assets)		1,658			2,805
	Current deferred tax liabilities (in accrued liabilities)		(23	)		—
	Non-current deferred tax liabilities		(20,616	)		(9,200	)
	Net Deferred Tax (Liabilities) Assets	$	(6,344	)	$	3,481
Schedule of Reconciliations of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	Below are reconciliations of the January 1 and December 31 balances of unrecognized tax benefits for 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Unrecognized tax benefits, opening balance	$	289		$	1,232		$	1,902
	Gross increases – tax positions in prior period		27			—			—
	Gross decreases – tax positions in prior period		(41	)		(569	)		(795	)
	Gross increases – current period tax positions		17			44			213
	Settlements		—			—			(38	)
	Foreign currency translation		5			23			(8	)
	Lapse of statute of limitations		(57	)		(441	)		(42	)
	Unrecognized tax benefits, ending balance	$	240		$	289		$	1,232

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Assumptions for Stock Options	'
	The risk-free rate is the U.S. Treasury note rate that corresponds to the expected option term at the date of grant.
		For the Years Ended December 31
		2013		2012	2011
	Expected dividend yield	2.01%		2.10%	2.40%
	Expected volatility	42.48%		43.19%	43.60%
	Expected term	7.4 years		7.4 years	6.5 years
	Risk-free interest rate	1.53%		1.41%	2.91%
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	A summary of stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
					Average		Average		Intrinsic Value
					Exercise Price		Remaining		$0
							Contractual
							Term
	Options
	Outstanding at January 1, 2013		684,110		$	24.15
	Granted		54,274			62.78
	Exercised		(227,410	)		17.89
	Forfeited		(5,862	)		51.26
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		505,112			30.8		5.74	$	17,593
	Vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2013		504,620			30.77		4.79		17,592
	Exercisable at December 31, 2013		392,000			24.69		3.68		16,046
Summary of Stock Award Activity	'
	A summary of stock award activity for the year ended December 31, 2013, is presented below:
		Shares			Weighted-Average Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Unvested Stock Awards
	Unvested at January 1, 2013		242,856		$	37.83
	Granted		101,924			60.75
	Vested		—			—
	Forfeited		(123,690	)		37.19
	Unvested at December 31, 2013		221,090			48.75
Summary of SARs Activity	'
	A summary of SARs activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 is presented below.
		Shares			Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
					Average		Average		Intrinsic Value
					Exercise Price		Remaining		$0
							Contractual
							Term
	SARs
	Outstanding at January 1, 2012		64,700		$	42.82
	Granted		92,735			62.92
	Forfeited		-9,124			55.5
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013		148,311			54.6		8.74		1,635

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_T

Postretirement Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Obligations and Funded Status	'
	Obligations and Funded Status at December 31
	(In thousands)	United States						United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Change in benefit obligation
	Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	157,051		$	139,077		$	21,722		$	16,829
	Interest cost		6,424			6,880			899			841
	Actuarial (gain) loss		(14,142	)		15,590			(1,365	)		3,846
	Benefits paid		(4,825	)		(4,496	)		(521	)		(659	)
	Foreign exchange impact		—			—			360			865
	Benefit obligation at end of year	$	144,508		$	157,051		$	21,095		$	21,722
	(In thousands)	United States						United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Change in plan assets
	Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	124,682		$	104,178		$	18,390		$	15,695
	Actual return on plan assets		13,225			19,391			2,840			1,623
	Employer contributions		182			5,609			949			971
	Benefits paid		(4,825	)		(4,496	)		(521	)		(659	)
	Foreign exchange impact		—			—			546			760
	Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	133,264		$	124,682		$	22,204		$	18,390
	Over (Under) funded status at end of year	$	(11,244	)	$	(32,369	)	$	1,109		$	(3,332	)
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheets	'
	The amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31 consisted of
	(In thousands)	United States						United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Non-current asset	$	818		$	—		$	1,109		$	—
	Current liability		(185	)		(174	)		—			—
	Non-current liability		(11,877	)		(32,195	)		—			(3,332	)
	Net amount recognized	$	(11,244	)	$	(32,369	)	$	1,109		$	(3,332	)
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income at December 31 consisted of
	(In thousands)	United States						United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Net actuarial loss	$	26,802		$	50,450		$	2,147		$	5,699
Information for Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets	'
	Below is information for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets at December 31:
	(In thousands)	United States						United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Projected benefit obligation	$	113,865		$	157,051		$	—		$	21,722
	Accumulated benefit obligation	$	113,865			157,051		$	—			21,722
	Fair value of plan assets	$	101,803			124,682		$	—			18,390
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	Net periodic benefit costs for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were as follows:
	(In thousands)	United States									United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2011			2013			2012			2011
	Interest cost	$	6,424		$	6,880		$	6,927		$	899		$	841		$	1,099
	Expected return on plan assets		(8,828	)		(8,423	)		(8,063	)		(941	)		(888	)		(1,042	)
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		5,109			3,573			2,853			288			49			204
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,705		$	2,030		$	1,717		$	246		$	2		$	261
Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, were as follows:
	(In thousands)	United States									United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2011			2013			2012			2011
	Net actuarial (gain) loss	$	-18,539		$	4,622		$	10,552		$	-3,264		$	3,111		$	-1,742
	Amortization of net actuarial loss		-5,109			-3,573			-2,853			-288			-49			-204
	Total recognized in other comprehensive income	$	-23,648		$	1,049		$	7,699		$	-3,552		$	3,062		$	-1,946
	Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	$	-20,943		$	3,079		$	9,416		$	-3,306		$	3,064		$	-1,685
Estimated Amounts Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Net Periodic Benefit Cost	'
	The estimated amounts that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic benefit cost in 2014 are as follows:
	(In thousands)	United States			United Kingdom
	Net actuarial loss	$	2,646		$	—
Estimated Future Benefit Payments	'
	Estimated Future Benefit Payments
	(In thousands)	United States			United Kingdom
	2014	$	5,948		$	503
	2015		6,713			510
	2016		7,345			581
	2017		7,891			623
	2018		8,388			676
	2019-2023		47,844			3,746
Defined Contribution Plan Expenses for the Company's Retirement Savings Plans and Profit Sharing Plan	'
	Defined contribution plan expenses for the Company’s retirement savings plans and profit sharing plan were as follows:
	(In thousands)	2013			2012			2011
	Retirement savings plans	$	4,500		$	4,284		$	4,033
	Profit sharing plan		4,804			5,762			4,769
	Total	$	9,304		$	10,046		$	8,802
Defined Benefit Plan Periodic Costs [Member]	'
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations/Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
	The weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit costs for years ended December 31 were as follows:
		United States									United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2011			2013			2012			2011
	Discount rate		4.17	%		5.06	%		5.4	%		4.3	%		4.9	%		5.6	%
	Expected long-term return on plan assets		7.75	%		7.75	%		7.75	%		5.25	%		5.46	%		6.78	%
Benefit Obligation [Member]	'
Weighted-Average Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations/Net Periodic Benefit Costs	'
	The weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations at December 31 were as follows:
		United States						United Kingdom
		2013			2012			2013			2012
	Discount rate		4.87%			4.17%			4.60%			4.30%
United States [Member]	'
Company's Asset Allocations for its U.S. and U.K Pension Plans	'
	The Company’s asset allocations for its U.S. pension plans at December 31, 2013 and 2012, by asset category, were as follows:
		December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	—		$	2,471		$	—		$	2,471
	Equity Securities
	U.S. Equities		32,567			—			—			32,567
	Non-U.S. Equities		11,892			—			—			11,892
	Employer Securities		37,823			—			—			37,823
	Total Equities		82,282			—			—			82,282
	Fixed Income Securities
	U.S. Corporate Bonds		—			24,733			—			24,733
	U.S. Government and Agency Bonds		2,526			6,575			—			9,101
	Municipal Bonds		—			3,116			—			3,116
	Other Bonds		—			4,559			—			4,559
	Total Fixed Income		2,526			38,983			—			41,509
	Real Estate		6,090			—			—			6,090
	Commodities		912			—			—			912
	Total	$	91,810		$	41,454		$	—		$	133,264
		December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Cash and Cash Equivalents	$	—		$	3,965		$	—		$	3,965
	Equity Securities
	U.S. Equities		32,850			—			—			32,850
	Non-U.S. Equities		11,373			—			—			11,373
	Employer Securities		34,426			—			—			34,426
	Total Equities		78,649			—			—			78,649
	Fixed Income Securities
	U.S. Corporate Bonds		—			19,873			—			19,873
	U.S. Government and Agency Bonds		795			6,956			—			7,751
	Municipal Bonds		—			2,837			—			2,837
	Other Bonds		—			4,015			—			4,015
	Total Fixed Income		795			33,681			—			34,476
	Real Estate		4,990			—			—			4,990
	Commodities		2,602			—			—			2,602
	Total	$	87,036		$	37,646		$	—		$	124,682
Market Value Changes within Asset Categories for which Fair Value Measurements Use Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Defined Benefit United States Plans and United Kingdom Plans	'
	Market value changes within asset categories for which fair value measurements use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were as follows during 2012 (No Level 3 investments were held in 2013):
	Dollars in thousands	Real Estate
		Fund
	Market value, December 31, 2011	$	3,720
	Sale proceeds		(3,916	)
	Realized loss		840
	Change in unrealized gain (loss)		(644	)
	Market value, December 31, 2012	$	—
United Kingdom [Member]	'
Company's Asset Allocations for its U.S. and U.K Pension Plans	'
	The Company’s asset allocations for its U.K. pension plans at December 31, 2013 and 2012, by asset category, were as follows:
		December 31, 2013
	(In thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Cash	$	412		$	—		$	—		$	412
	Equity Securities
	Pooled Pension Funds		—			15,397			—			15,397
	Fixed Income
	Pooled Pension Funds		—			3,550			—			3,550
	Real Estate
	Pooled Pension Funds		—			419			—			419
	Insurance Contracts		—			—			2,426			2,426
	Total	$	412		$	19,366		$	2,426		$	22,204
		December 31, 2012
	(In thousands)	Level 1			Level 2			Level 3			Total
	Cash	$	845		$	—		$	—		$	845
	Equity Securities
	Pooled Pension Funds		—			11,979			—			11,979
	Fixed Income
	Pooled Pension Funds		—			2,677			—			2,677
	Real Estate
	Pooled Pension Funds		—			452			—			452
	Insurance Contracts		—			—			2,437			2,437
	Total	$	845		$	15,108		$	2,437		$	18,390
Market Value Changes within Asset Categories for which Fair Value Measurements Use Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Defined Benefit United States Plans and United Kingdom Plans	'
	Fair value changes within asset categories for which fair value measurements use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were as follows during 2012 and 2013:
	(In thousands)	Insurance Contracts
	Fair value, December 31, 2011	$	2,218
	Sale proceeds (benefit payments)		(173	)
	Change in unrealized gain		288
	Foreign exchange impact		104
	Fair value, December 31, 2012	$	2,437
	Sale proceeds (benefit payments)		(175	)
	Change in unrealized gain		120
	Foreign exchange impact		44
	Fair value, December 31, 2013	$	2,426

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'
Composition of Accrued Liabilities	'
	The composition of accrued liabilities was as follows:
		December  31
	(In thousands)	2013		2012
	Accrued payroll and benefits	$	39,722	$	42,404
	Accrued customer rebates		15,514		14,395
	Other accrued liabilities		21,103		15,862
	Total accrued liabilities	$	76,339	$	72,661

Other_NonCurrent_Liabilities_T

Other Non-Current Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Composition of other non-current liabilities	'
	The composition of other non-current liabilities was as follows:
		December  31
	(In thousands)	2013		2012
	Deferred revenue	$	4,045	$	1,614
	Environmental and legal matters		13,133		13,459
	Deferred compensation liability		50,728		41,665
	Pension liability		14,923		37,855
	Other non-current liabilities		5,777		4,074
	Total other non-current liabilities	$	88,606	$	98,667

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Segment	'
	Segment data for the three years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, are as follows:
	(In thousands)		Surfactants			Polymers			Specialty			Segment
									Products			Totals
	2013
	Net sales		$	1,317,164		$	483,361		$	80,261		$	1,880,786
	Operating income			100,201			54,536			10,902			165,639
	Assets			710,521			292,015			68,413			1,070,949
	Capital expenditures			66,266			18,804			6,370			91,440
	Depreciation and			36,400			16,351			2,631			55,382
	amortization expenses
	2012
	Net sales		$	1,305,800		$	423,959		$	73,978		$	1,803,737
	Operating income			118,591			48,130			12,242			178,963
	Assets			692,891			199,013			58,810			950,714
	Capital expenditures			56,236			19,266			5,815			81,317
	Depreciation and			34,036			13,328			2,270			49,634
	amortization expenses
	2011
	Net sales		$	1,361,956		$	421,515		$	59,621		$	1,843,092
	Operating income			100,811			40,909			13,307			155,027
	Assets			624,425			174,029			54,296			852,750
	Capital expenditures			63,295			15,320			3,658			82,273
	Depreciation and			31,346			11,697			1,808			44,851
	amortization expenses
Reconciliation of segment information to consolidated financial statements	'
	Below are reconciliations of segment data to the consolidated financial statements:
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Operating income – segment totals		$	165,639		$	178,963		$	155,027
	Business restructuring (a)			(1,040	)		—			—
	Unallocated corporate expenses (b)			(55,446	)		(50,247	)		(36,571	)
	Total operating income			109,153			128,716			118,456
	Interest expense, net			(10,358	)		(9,599	)		(9,095	)
	Loss from equity in joint ventures			(5,336	)		(4,724	)		(3,616	)
	Other, net			2,171			1,329			(851	)
	Consolidated income before income taxes		$	95,630		$	115,722		$	104,894
	Assets – segment totals		$	1,070,949		$	950,714		$	852,750
	Unallocated corporate assets (c)			96,253			34,764			48,368
	Consolidated assets		$	1,167,202		$	985,478		$	901,118
	Capital expenditures – segment totals		$	91,440		$	81,317		$	82,273
	Unallocated corporate expenditures			1,425			1,842			893
	Consolidated capital expenditures		$	92,865		$	83,159		$	83,166
	Depreciation and amortization expenses – segment totals		$	55,382		$	49,634		$	44,851
	Unallocated corporate depreciation expenses			1,018			1,660			2,248
	Consolidated depreciation and amortization expenses		$	56,400		$	51,294		$	47,099
	(a)	See Note 21 regarding business restructuring costs for the Surfactants segment’s North American operations.
	(b)	Unallocated corporate expenses primarily comprise corporate administrative expenses (e.g., corporate finance, legal, human resources, information systems and deferred compensation) that are not included in segment operating income and not used to evaluate segment performance.
	(c)	The increase in unallocated corporate assets between 2012 and 2013 was primarily attributable to increases in the balances of U.S. cash and cash equivalents and mutual fund investment assets, which are not allocated to segments.
Summary of company-wide geographic data	'
	Below is certain Company-wide geographic data for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011:
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2011
	Net sales (a)
	United States		$	1,103,181		$	1,076,222		$	1,086,233
	France (b)			221,971			298,158			316,514
	Poland (b)			122,215			19,588			12,382
	United Kingdom			104,470			103,523			122,100
	All other countries			328,949			306,246			305,863
	Total		$	1,880,786		$	1,803,737		$	1,843,092
	Long-lived assets (c)
	United States		$	330,799		$	246,118		$	230,926
	Germany			42,309			34,213			31,006
	Singapore			44,315			43,239			37,827
	Philippines			18,817			22,658			23,214
	Brazil			22,920			18,410			18,773
	United Kingdom			23,061			20,878			18,268
	All other countries			47,216			52,483			42,150
	Total		$	529,437		$	437,999		$	402,164
	(a)	Net sales are attributed to countries based on selling location.
	(b)	The 2012-to-2013 net sales increase for Poland and net sales decrease for France reflected the 2013 transfer of ownership of the Company’s European polymer intangibles from the Company’s France subsidiary to its Poland subsidiary, which resulted in European polymer sales being recognized in Poland instead of France.
	(c)	Includes net property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	'
	Below is the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. All historical share and per share data reflect the effects of the two-for-one common stock split that was effective December 14, 2012.
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)		2013		2012		2011
	Computation of Basic Earnings per Share
	Net income attributable to Stepan Company		$	72,828	$	79,396	$	71,976
	Deduct dividends on preferred stock			43		579		714
	Income applicable to common stock		$	72,785	$	78,817	$	71,262
	Weighted-average number of shares outstanding			22,621		21,273		20,726
	Basic earnings per share		$	3.22	$	3.71	$	3.44
	Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share
	Net income attributable to Stepan Company		$	72,828	$	79,396	$	71,976
	Weighted-average number of shares outstanding			22,621		21,273		20,726
	Add weighted-average net shares from assumed exercise of options (under treasury stock method) (1)			215		392		472
	Add weighted-average contingently issuable net shares related to performance stock awards (under treasury stock method)			—		12		52
	Add weighted-average unvested stock awards (under treasury stock method)			8		6		4
	Add weighted-average shares from assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock			80		1,047		1,186
	Weighted-average shares applicable to diluted earnings			22,924		22,730		22,440
	Diluted earnings per share		$	3.18	$	3.49	$	3.21
	(1)	Options to purchase 49,815, 16,444 and 91,449 shares of common stock were not included in the computations of diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The options’ exercise prices were greater than the average market price for the common stock and their effect would have been antidilutive.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Below is the change in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) balance by component (net of income taxes) for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013:
	(In thousands)		Foreign			Defined			Cash Flow			Total
			Currency			Benefit			Hedge
			Translation			Pension			Adjustments
			Adjustments			Plan
						Adjustments
	Balance at December 31, 2010		$	3,485		$	(29,084	)	$	—		$	(25,599	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			(12,571	)		(5,259	)		(1	)		(17,831	)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI			—			1,945			—			1,945
	Net current period other comprehensive income			(12,571	)		(3,314	)		(1	)		(15,886	)
	Balance at December 31, 2011		$	(9,086	)	$	(32,398	)	$	(1	)	$	(41,485	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			6,200			(5,387	)		116			929
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI			—			2,287			19			2,306
	Net current period other comprehensive income			6,200			(3,100	)		135			3,235
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	(2,886	)	$	(35,498	)	$	134		$	(38,250	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications			(8,085	)		13,417			(32	)		5,300
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI			—			3,409			13			3,422
	Net current period other comprehensive income			(8,085	)		16,826			(19	)		8,722
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	(10,971	)	$	(18,672	)	$	115		$	(29,528	)
Summary of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	Information regarding reclassifications out of AOCI for the three years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, is displayed below:
	Amounts Reclassified from AOCI (a)
	(In thousands)		2013			2012			2011			Affected Line Item in Consolidated
												Statements of Income
	Amortization of defined pension items:
	Prior service cost		$	(19	)	$	(18	)	$	(19	)
	Actuarial loss			(5,410	)		(3,632	)		(3,067	)
	Transition obligation			(2	)		(18	)		(27	)
				(5,431	)		(3,668	)		(3,113	)	Total before tax (b)
				2,022			1,381			1,168		Tax (expense) or benefit
			$	(3,409	)	$	(2,287	)	$	(1,945	)	Net of tax
	Gains and losses on cash flow hedges:
	Interest rate contracts		$	(37	)	$	(27	)	$	—		Interest, net
	Foreign exchange
	contracts			10			—			—		Cost of sales
				(27	)		(27	)		—		Total before tax
				14			8			—		Tax (expense) or benefit
			$	(13	)	$	(19	)	$	—		Net of tax
	Total reclassifications for the period		$	(3,422	)	$	(2,306	)	$	(1,945	)	Net of tax
	(a)	Amounts in parentheses denote expense to statement of income.
	(b)	This component of accumulated other comprehensive income is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 14 for details regarding net periodic benefit costs for the Company’s U.S. and U.K. defined benefit plans).

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
	Customer	Customer	Customer
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage	80.00%	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$133,347,000	$76,875,000	$84,099,000	$111,198,000
Single customer comprised more than 10 percent of the Company's consolidated net sales	0	0	0	'
Percentage of LIFO Inventory	64.00%	59.00%	'	'
Percentage of machinery and equipment representing manufacturing equipment	90.00%	'	'	'
Cost of maintenance and repairs	48,683,000	45,072,000	43,128,000	'
Total research and development expenses	28,782,000	28,032,000	25,128,000	'
Capitalized Environmental expenditures depreciation period	'10 years	'	'	'
Common stock split ratio, description	'Two-for-one	'	'	'
Natural Gas [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Volume in derivative contract	1,200,000	'	'	'
Purchased Contract Price	4,866,000	'	'	'
Building [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Lives used for calculating depreciation expense	'30 years	'	'	'
Building Improvements [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Lives used for calculating depreciation expense	'15 years	'	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Percentage of risk concentration	10.00%	'	'	'
Amortization periods for the identifiable intangible assets	'5 years	'	'	'
Percentage of Tax benefit recognized	50.00%	'	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Lives used for calculating depreciation expense	'10 years	'	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Lives used for calculating depreciation expense	'5 years	'	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Vehicles [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Lives used for calculating depreciation expense	'3 years	'	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Computers Equipment And Software [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Lives used for calculating depreciation expense	'3 years	'	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Amortization periods for the identifiable intangible assets	'15 years	'	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Lives used for calculating depreciation expense	'15 years	'	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Lives used for calculating depreciation expense	'10 years	'	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Vehicles [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Lives used for calculating depreciation expense	'5 years	'	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Computers Equipment And Software [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Lives used for calculating depreciation expense	'10 years	'	'	'
Money Market Funds [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	66,002,000	'	'	'
Demand Deposits [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	15,873,000	'	'	'
Non U S Subsidiaries [Member]	'	'	'	'
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policy [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$51,472,000	'	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Other Accounts Receivable Allowances (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance For Doubtful Accounts Receivable Rollforward	'	'	'
Allowance, balance at the beginning	$5,533	$5,214	$6,145
Provision charged (credited) to income	719	314	-568
Accounts written off, net of recoveries	-307	5	-363
Allowance, balance at ending	$5,945	$5,533	$5,214

Acquisitions_Additional_Inform

Acquisitions - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Jun. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Sep. 30, 2012

Jun. 30, 2012

Mar. 31, 2012

Jun. 30, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 01, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2011

Jun. 23, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 01, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 01, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 01, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 23, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 23, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Jun. 23, 2011

Bayer Material Science [Member]

Bayer Material Science [Member]

Bayer Material Science [Member]

Bayer Material Science [Member]

Lipid Nutrition [Member]

Lipid Nutrition [Member]

Know-how [Member]

Know-how [Member]

Trademark and Trade Name [Member]

Trademark and Trade Name [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Customer Relationships [Member]

Patents [Member]

Patents [Member]

Customer Lists [Member]

Customer Lists [Member]

Trademarks and Know How [Member]

Trademarks and Know How [Member]

T

Acquisition Related Expenses [Member]

Fair Value Adjustment to Acquisition Date Inventory [Member]

Bayer Material Science [Member]

Bayer Material Science [Member]

Bayer Material Science [Member]

Bayer Material Science [Member]

Bayer Material Science [Member]

Bayer Material Science [Member]

Lipid Nutrition [Member]

Lipid Nutrition [Member]

Lipid Nutrition [Member]

Lipid Nutrition [Member]

Lipid Nutrition [Member]

Lipid Nutrition [Member]

Business Acquisition [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Capacity of production facility purchased in connection with acquisition

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

21,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net Sales

$474,329,000

$475,466,000

$474,445,000

$456,546,000

$427,259,000

$440,978,000

$470,231,000

$465,269,000

'

$1,880,786,000

$1,803,737,000

$1,843,092,000

'

$31,913,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition purchase price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

68,212,000

'

'

'

'

13,562,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition cash paid

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

61,067,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Business acquisition consideration payable for inventory

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7,145,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Private placement loan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

100,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisition-related costs incurred

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

270,000

'

'

300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Identifiable intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,800,000

'

'

'

'

8,113,000

'

7,900,000

'

3,800,000

'

6,100,000

'

6,948,000

'

736,000

'

429,000

Amortization periods for the identifiable intangible assets

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'8 years

'

'11 years

'

'12 years

'

'12 years

'

'5 years

'

'5 years

'

Nonrecurring adjustments to pro forma net income

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$270,000

$558,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Assets

Acquisitions - Summary of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 23, 2011	Jun. 23, 2011	Jun. 23, 2011	Jun. 23, 2011	Jun. 01, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				Lipid Nutrition [Member]	Lipid Nutrition [Member]	Lipid Nutrition [Member]	Lipid Nutrition [Member]	Bayer Material Science [Member]
					Patents [Member]	Customer Lists [Member]	Trademarks and Know How [Member]
Assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Inventory	'	'	'	$5,000	'	'	'	$9,002
Property, plant and equipment	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	37,000
Identifiable intangible assets	'	'	'	8,113	6,948	736	429	17,800
Goodwill	11,726	7,199	7,000	483	'	'	'	4,642
Total assets acquired	'	'	'	13,596	'	'	'	68,444
Liabilities:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accrued expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	232
Net assets acquired	'	'	'	13,562	'	'	'	68,212
Identifiable intangible assets:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Identifiable intangible assets	'	'	'	8,113	6,948	736	429	17,800
Goodwill	11,726	7,199	7,000	483	'	'	'	4,642
Total assets acquired	'	'	'	13,596	'	'	'	68,444
Current liabilities	'	'	'	34	'	'	'	'
Net assets acquired	'	'	'	$13,562	'	'	'	$68,212

Acquisitions_Summary_of_Pro_Fo

Acquisitions - Summary of Pro Forma Financial Information (Detail) (Bayer Material Science [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Bayer Material Science [Member]	'	'
Business Acquisition Pro Forma Information [Line Items]	'	'
Net Sales	$1,907,607	$1,866,209
Net Income Attributable to Stepan Company	$73,609	$80,353
Net Income Per Common Share Attributable to Stepan Company:	'	'
Basic	$3.25	$3.75
Diluted	$3.21	$3.54

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value of Debt and Related Carrying Values (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 27, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument Fair Value Carrying Value [Abstract]	'	'	'
Carrying value	$270,623	$100,000	$182,402
Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument Fair Value Carrying Value [Abstract]	'	'	'
Fair value	$276,069	'	$194,620

Fair_Value_Measurements_Financ

Fair Value Measurements - Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis at Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at fair value	'	'
Mutual fund assets	$18,305	$14,093
Derivative assets:	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	74	67
Total assets at fair value	18,379	14,160
Derivative liabilities:	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	165	2
Interest rate contracts	20	57
Total liabilities at fair value	185	59
Level 1 [Member]	'	'
Financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at fair value	'	'
Mutual fund assets	18,305	14,093
Derivative assets:	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	'	'
Total assets at fair value	18,305	14,093
Derivative liabilities:	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	'	'
Interest rate contracts	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value	'	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'
Financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at fair value	'	'
Mutual fund assets	'	'
Derivative assets:	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	74	67
Total assets at fair value	74	67
Derivative liabilities:	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	165	2
Interest rate contracts	20	57
Total liabilities at fair value	185	59
Level 3 [Member]	'	'
Financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis at fair value	'	'
Mutual fund assets	'	'
Derivative assets:	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	'	'
Total assets at fair value	'	'
Derivative liabilities:	'	'
Foreign currency contracts	'	'
Interest rate contracts	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value	'	'

Derivative_Instruments_Additio

Derivative Instruments - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative notional amount	$20,289,000	$16,258,000
Derivative foreign currency exchange contracts settlement date	'1 month	'
Gain and losses on cash flow hedges [Member] | Foreign exchange contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative notional amount	0	1,197,000
Gain and losses on cash flow hedges [Member] | Interest rate contracts [Member]	'	'
Derivative notional amount	$2,268,000	$2,969,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_2

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Changes in Carrying Value of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	$10,666	$10,467
Accumulated impairment loss, Beginning Balance	-3,467	-3,467
Goodwill net , Beginning Balance	7,199	7,000
Goodwill acquired	4,642	'
Foreign currency translation	-115	199
Goodwill, Ending balance	15,193	10,666
Accumulated impairment loss, Ending Balance	-3,467	-3,467
Goodwill net , Ending Balance	11,726	7,199
Surfactants Segment [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	9,246	9,143
Accumulated impairment loss, Beginning Balance	-3,467	-3,467
Goodwill net , Beginning Balance	5,779	5,676
Foreign currency translation	-139	103
Goodwill, Ending balance	9,107	9,246
Accumulated impairment loss, Ending Balance	-3,467	-3,467
Goodwill net , Ending Balance	5,640	5,779
Polymer Segment [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	937	841
Goodwill net , Beginning Balance	937	841
Goodwill acquired	4,642	'
Foreign currency translation	24	96
Goodwill, Ending balance	5,603	937
Goodwill net , Ending Balance	5,603	937
Specialty Products Segment [Member]	'	'
Goodwill [Line Items]	'	'
Goodwill, Beginning Balance	483	483
Goodwill net , Beginning Balance	483	483
Foreign currency translation	'	'
Goodwill, Ending balance	483	483
Goodwill net , Ending Balance	$483	$483

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_3

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Components of Other Intangible Assets and Changes in Gross Carrying Values (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Value	$27,441	$32,334
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	3,772	23,556
Patents [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Value	6,947	8,947
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,498	2,831
Trademarks [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Value	4,087	5,843
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	345	5,468
Customer Lists [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Value	8,094	7,359
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,098	5,802
Know-how [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Value	8,313	8,950
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	831	8,453
Non-compete agreements [Member]	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross Carrying Value	0	1,235
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$0	$1,002

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_4

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Amortization of Intangible Assets, Total	$2,832,000	$2,516,000	$2,164,000
Impairment of Goodwill	$0	$0	'

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangible_5

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expense for Identifiable Intangibles Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
For year ended 12/31/14	$2,853
For year ended 12/31/15	2,831
For year ended 12/31/16	2,683
For year ended 12/31/17	2,566
For year ended 12/31/18	$2,566

Inventories_Composition_of_Inv

Inventories - Composition of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Finished products	$123,211	$113,589
Raw materials	49,156	48,424
Total inventories	$172,368	$162,013

Inventories_Additional_Informa

Inventories - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
LIFO reserve	$30,786,000	$33,868,000

Debt_Debt_Detail

Debt - Debt (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 27, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total debt	$270,623	$100,000	$182,402
Less current maturities	35,377	'	32,838
Long-term debt	235,246	'	149,564
Unsecured private placement 3.86% note [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total debt	100,000	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	3.86%	'	'
Maturity Dates	'2019-2025	'	'
Unsecured private placement 4.86% note [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total debt	65,000	'	65,000
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	4.86%	'	4.86%
Maturity Dates	'2017-2023	'	'2017-2023
Unsecured private placement 5.88% note [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total debt	40,000	'	40,000
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	5.88%	'	5.88%
Maturity Dates	'2016-2022	'	'2016-2022
Unsecured private placement 5.69% note [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total debt	28,571	'	34,286
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	5.69%	'	5.69%
Maturity Dates	'2014-2018	'	'2014-2018
Unsecured private placement 6.86% note [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total debt	8,570	'	12,856
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	6.86%	'	6.86%
Maturity Dates	'2014-2015	'	'2014-2015
Debt of foreign subsidiaries Secured bank term loans, foreign currency [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total debt	5,843	'	9,531
Maturity Dates	'2014-2016	'	'2014-2016
Debt of foreign subsidiaries Secured bank term loan, U.S. dollars [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total debt	'	'	3,500
Debt of foreign subsidiaries Unsecured bank debt, U.S dollars [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total debt	998	'	'
Maturity Dates	'2014	'	'-
Debt of foreign subsidiaries Unsecured bank debt, foreign currency [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Maturity Dates	'-	'	'-
Debt of foreign subsidiaries Other loans, foreign currency [Member]	'	'	'
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total debt	$21,641	'	$17,229
Maturity Dates	'2014-2015	'	'2014-2015

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 27, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total debt	$270,623,000	$100,000,000	$182,402,000
Private placement loan, maturity date range, start	27-Jun-19	'	'
Private placement loan, maturity date range, end	27-Jun-25	'	'
Revolving credit agreement	125,000,000	'	'
Letters of Credit Outstanding	2,727,000	'	'
Unused Revolving credit	122,273,000	'	'
Line of credit facility, Minimum maturity period	'1 day	'	'
Line of credit facility, Maximum maturity period	'180 days	'	'
Debt matures in 2016	12,115,000	'	'
Debt matures in 2015	12,416,000	'	'
Unrestricted retained earnings	148,467,000	'	114,204,000
Debt matures in 2014	35,377,000	'	'
Debt matures in 2017	20,714,000	'	'
Debt matures in 2018	20,715,000	'	'
Debt matures after 2018	169,286,000	'	'
Amount of repayments of long-term debt due in next year	12,746,000	'	'
Amount of repayments of foreign subsidiaries short-term debt due in next year	22,631,000	'	'
Multi Currency Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revolving credit agreement	125,000,000	'	'
Credit agreement expire period	'2017-09	'	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt Outstanding	0	'	'
Revolver Borrowings [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Revolving credit agreement	61,500,000	'	0
Interest rate of revolver borrowings	1.78%	'	'
European Debt [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Short-term Debt	19,488,000	'	'
European Debt [Member] | Bank Term Loan [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Spread rate	1.08%	'	'
Bank Term Loan	5,843,000	'	'
Debt matures in 2016	3,437,000	'	'
Loan maturity	'2016	'	'
Debt matures in 2015	2,406,000	'	'
European Debt [Member] | Other Term Loan [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	2.15%	'	'
Loan maturity	'2015	'	'
European Debt [Member] | Short Term Borrowing Acquired In UK Based Rate [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Spread rate	2.00%	'	'
Short term borrowing on UK base rate	2,153,000	'	'
European Debt [Member] | Philippine Subsidiary [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Spread rate	1.25%	'	'
Short-term Debt	998,000	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Spread rate	0.95%	'	'
Spread on Prime rate	0.00%	'	'
Facility fee percentage	0.18%	'	'
Minimum [Member] | European Debt [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Spread rate	0.30%	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Spread rate	1.65%	'	'
Spread on Prime rate	0.65%	'	'
Facility fee percentage	0.35%	'	'
Maximum [Member] | European Debt [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Spread rate	0.50%	'	'
Unsecured Private Placement Notes [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total debt	$242,141,000	'	'
Unsecured Private Placement Notes [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	3.86%	'	'
Maturity Dates	'12 years	'	'
Unsecured Private Placement Notes [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Credit Facilities [Line Items]	'	'	'
Debt instrument interest rate percentage	6.86%	'	'
Maturity Dates	'13 years	'	'

Debt_Schedule_of_Net_Interest_

Debt - Schedule of Net Interest Expense (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Interest Income Expense Net [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$11,104	$9,998	$9,839
Interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-57	-112	-359
Interest expense net of interest income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	11,047	9,886	9,480
Capitalized interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-689	-287	-385
Interest expense, net	$2,863	$2,987	$2,329	$2,179	$2,225	$2,684	$2,086	$2,604	$10,358	$9,599	$9,095

Leased_Properties_Additional_I

Leased Properties - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Total rental expense	$6,280,000	$6,713,000	$6,182,000

Leased_Properties_Consolidated

Leased Properties - Consolidated Company Minimum Future Rental Payments Under Operating Leases with Terms in Excess of One Year (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Leases [Abstract]	'
2014	$4,170
2015	3,529
2016	2,963
2017	1,942
2018	1,723
Subsequent to 2018	17,795
Total minimum future rental payments	$32,122

Other_Net_Other_Net_in_the_Con

Other, Net - Other Net in the Consolidated Statements of Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Nonoperating Income Expense [Abstract]	'	'	'
Foreign exchange loss	($1,495)	($304)	($800)
Investment related income	1,055	173	105
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments	2,611	1,460	-156
Other, net	$2,171	$1,329	($851)

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Provi

Income Taxes - Schedule of Provision for Taxes on Income and Other Related Income Before Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Federal	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$9,744	$23,744	$16,901
Deferred	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-285	-525	4,894
State	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,223	1,999	3,677
Deferred	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-680	-537	174
Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Current	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12,067	10,158	6,658
Deferred	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,224	1,196	-12
Total	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	23,293	36,035	32,292
Income before Taxes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Domestic	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	50,626	80,371	83,333
Foreign	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	45,004	35,351	21,561
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	$10,310	$27,847	$32,200	$25,273	$21,249	$30,235	$31,518	$32,720	$95,630	$115,722	$104,894

Income_Taxes_Summary_of_Variat

Income Taxes - Summary of Variations Between the Effective and Statutory U.S. Federal Income Tax Rates (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of Federal income tax provision at statutory tax rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
Percentage of State tax provision on income less applicable federal tax benefit	0.40%	1.30%	2.30%
Percentage of Foreign income taxed at different rates	-2.60%	-1.00%	-0.90%
Percentage of Repatriation of foreign earnings	0.20%	'	'
Percentage of Domestic production activities deduction	-1.00%	-1.20%	-1.30%
Percentage of Nontaxable foreign interest income	-2.70%	-2.30%	-2.60%
Percentage of Nontaxable biodiesel excise credit income	-2.50%	'	'
Percentage of U.S. tax credits	-2.30%	'	-1.40%
Percentage of Non-deductible expenses and other items, net	-0.10%	-0.70%	-0.30%
Percentage of Total income tax provision	24.40%	31.10%	30.80%
Federal income tax provision at statutory tax rate	$33,471	$40,503	$36,713
State tax provision on income less applicable federal tax benefit	353	1,470	2,413
Foreign income taxed at different rates	-2,509	-1,172	-900
Repatriation of foreign earnings	146	24	'
Domestic production activities deduction	-991	-1,446	-1,339
Nontaxable foreign interest income	-2,614	-2,690	-2,719
Nontaxable biodiesel excise credit income	-2,347	'	'
U.S. tax credits	-2,209	'	-1,482
Non-deductible expenses and other items, net	-7	-654	-394
Total	$23,293	$36,035	$32,292

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Showing_

Income Taxes - Schedule Showing Tax Effects of Significant Temporary Differences Representing Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Tax Liabilities:	'	'
Depreciation	($57,113)	($50,011)
Amortization of intangibles	-49	-456
Unrealized foreign exchange loss	-910	-602
Other	-823	-918
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross	-58,895	-51,987
Deferred Tax Assets:	'	'
Pensions	5,640	15,148
Deferred revenue	3,058	718
Other accruals and reserves	12,061	10,979
Inventories	1,158	496
Legal and environmental accruals	6,594	6,463
Deferred compensation	20,510	17,461
Bad debt and rebate reserves	3,018	2,884
Subsidiaries net operating loss carryforwards	899	1,390
Tax credit carryforwards	915	532
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	53,853	56,071
Valuation Allowance	-1,302	-603
Net Deferred Tax (Liabilities) Assets	-6,344	3,481
Reconciliation to Consolidated Balance Sheet:	'	'
Current deferred tax assets	12,637	9,876
Non-current deferred tax assets (in other non-current assets)	1,658	2,805
Current deferred tax liabilities (in accrued liabilities)	-23	'
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	-20,616	-9,200
Net Deferred Tax (Liabilities) Assets	($6,344)	$3,481

Income_Taxes_Additional_Inform

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries	$194,148,000	$161,942,000	'	'
Tax loss carryforwards	3,980,000	6,753,000	'	'
Tax credit carryforwards	915,000	532,000	'	'
Valuation Allowance	1,302,000	603,000	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact effective tax rates	231,000	275,000	1,023,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	240,000	289,000	1,232,000	1,902,000
Income tax liability for interest and penalties	32,000	41,000	'	'
Recognition of interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense	9,000	444,000	2,000	'
Net tax benefit recognized under voluntary disclosure agreement	'	$688,000	'	'

Income_Taxes_Schedule_of_Recon

Income Taxes - Schedule of Reconciliations of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, opening balance	$289	$1,232	$1,902
Gross increases - tax positions in prior period	27	'	'
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period	-41	-569	-795
Gross increases - current period tax positions	17	44	213
Settlements	'	'	-38
Foreign currency translation	5	23	-8
Lapse of statute of limitations	-57	-441	-42
Unrecognized tax benefits, ending balance	$240	$289	$1,232

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Aug. 09, 2013
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Preferred stock redemption date	9-Aug-13	'	'
Preferred stock dividend rate	5.50%	'	'
Preferred stock outstanding	0	61,935	61,735
Number of Preferred shares converted	60,900	'	'
Number of common shares issued upon conversion of preferred stock	139,029	'	'
Preferred shares redeemed	835	'	'
Aggregate redemption price	$25.26	'	'
Percentage of stock dividend represents stock split	'	100.00%	'
Common stock, par value	$1	$1	'
Additional shares issued after stock split	'	12,460,000	'
Reduction in retained earnings due to stock split	'	$12,460,000	'
Common Stock Split Ratio Declared	2	2	'
Treasury stock, shares	3,231,289	3,175,638	'
Treasury stock distributed under deferred compensation plan	4,944	'	'
Stock purchased to settle employees statutory withholding taxes relates to performance stock awards	17,345	'	'
Open Market Repurchases [Member]	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares purchased during period	41,688	'	'
Stock Option Exercises [Member]	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares purchased during period	1,562	'	'
Price per share [Member]	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Aggregate redemption price	$25	'	'
Accrued and Unpaid Dividends [Member]	'	'	'
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'
Aggregate redemption price	$0.26	'	'

Stock_Based_Compensation_Addit

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares of common stock authorized for share based payment awards under 2011 Plan	2,600,000	'	'
Shares available for grant under the 2011 plan	2,199,827	'	'
Share-based compensation expenses charged against income	$2,783,000	$3,122,000	$3,676,000
Income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for share-based compensation arrangements	1,059,000	1,186,000	1,416,000
Vesting period	'2 years	'	'
Proceeds from stock option exercises	3,977,000	4,473,000	3,228,000
SARs [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Period of expiration	'10 years	'	'
Vesting period	'2 years	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	1,365,000	'	'
Weighted average period for amortization of unrecognized compensation cost	'1 year 1 month 6 days	'	'
Weighted-average grant-date fair values of awards granted	$23.12	$15.73	'
SARs liability	2,172,000	638,000	'
Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted-average grant-date fair values of options awarded	$23.08	$15.73	$13.81
Intrinsic values of options exercised	9,138,000,000	17,163,000	6,262,000
Unrecognized compensation cost	756,000	'	'
Weighted average period for amortization of unrecognized compensation cost	'1 year 1 month 6 days	'	'
Actual tax benefit recognized for the tax deductions from stock options exercise	2,786,000	6,411,000	2,103,000
Stock Awards[Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	$2,086,000	'	'
Weighted average period for amortization of unrecognized compensation cost	'1 year 8 months 12 days	'	'
Weighted-average grant-date fair values of awards granted	$60.75	$41	$35.79
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Period of expiration	'10 years	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Period of expiration	'8 years	'	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Fair_V

Stock-based Compensation - Fair Value Assumptions for Stock Options (Detail) (Stock Option [Member])	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Option [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Expected dividend yield	2.10%	2.01%	2.40%
Expected volatility	43.19%	42.48%	43.60%
Expected term	'7 years 4 months 24 days	'7 years 4 months 24 days	'6 years 6 months
Risk-free interest rate	1.41%	1.53%	2.91%

Stock_Based_Compensation_Summa

Stock Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Shares, Beginning Balance	684,110	'	'
Granted, Shares	54,274	'	'
Exercised, Shares	-227,410	-582,730	-268,978
Forfeited, Shares	-5,862	'	'
Shares, Ending Balance	505,112	684,110	'
Vested or expected to vest, Shares	504,620	'	'
Exercisable, Shares	392,000	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$24.15	'	'
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$62.78	'	'
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$17.89	'	'
Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$51.26	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending Balance	$30.80	$24.15	'
Vested or expected to vest, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$30.77	'	'
Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$24.69	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Ending Balance	'5 years 8 months 27 days	'	'
Vested or expected to vest, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'4 years 9 months 15 days	'	'
Exercisable, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	'3 years 8 months 5 days	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending Balance	$17,593	'	'
Vested or expected to vest, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	17,592	'	'
Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$16,046	'	'

Stock_Based_Compensation_Summa1

Stock Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Award Activity (Detail) (Stock Awards[Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Awards[Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares, Beginning Balance	242,856	'	'
Granted, Shares	101,924	'	'
Vested, Shares	'	'	'
Forfeited, Shares	-123,690	'	'
Shares, Ending Balance	221,090	242,856	'
Unvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance	$37.83	'	'
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$60.75	$41	$35.79
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	'	'	'
Forfeited, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$37.19	'	'
Unvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance	$48.75	$37.83	'

Stockbased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-based Compensation - Summary of SARs Activity (Detail) (SARs [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
SARs [Member]	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'
Shares, Beginning Balance	64,700
Granted, Shares	92,735
Forfeited, Shares	-9,124
Shares, Ending Balance	148,311
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning Balance	$42.82
Granted, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$62.92
Forfeited, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$55.50
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending balance	$54.60
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term, Ending balance	'8 years 8 months 27 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending balance	$1,635

Deferred_Compensation_Addition

Deferred Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'
Additional compensation expense	$9,496,000	$10,252,000	$1,529,000
Year-over-year increase in market price of common stock, Percent	39.00%	'	'
Deferred compensation liability	$51,543,000	$42,229,000	'

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_O

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Obligations and Funded Status (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
United States [Member]	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$157,051	$139,077	'
Interest cost	6,424	6,880	6,927
Actuarial (gain) loss	-14,142	15,590	'
Benefits paid	-4,825	-4,496	'
Foreign exchange impact	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at end of year	144,508	157,051	139,077
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	124,682	104,178	'
Actual return on plan assets	13,225	19,391	'
Employer contributions	182	5,609	'
Benefits paid	-4,825	-4,496	'
Foreign exchange impact	'	'	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	133,264	124,682	104,178
Over (Under) funded status at end of year	-11,244	-32,369	'
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	21,722	16,829	'
Interest cost	899	841	1,099
Actuarial (gain) loss	-1,365	3,846	'
Benefits paid	-521	-659	'
Foreign exchange impact	360	865	'
Benefit obligation at end of year	21,095	21,722	16,829
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	18,390	15,695	'
Actual return on plan assets	2,840	1,623	'
Employer contributions	949	971	'
Benefits paid	-521	-659	'
Foreign exchange impact	546	760	'
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	22,204	18,390	15,695
Over (Under) funded status at end of year	$1,109	($3,332)	'

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_S

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
United States [Member]	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Non-current asset	$818	'
Current liability	-185	-174
Non-current liability	-11,877	-32,195
Net amount recognized	-11,244	-32,369
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Non-current asset	1,109	'
Non-current liability	'	-3,332
Net amount recognized	$1,109	($3,332)

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_A

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
United States [Member]	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss	$26,802	$50,450
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Net actuarial loss	$2,147	$5,699

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_A1

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Feb. 20, 2013

Feb. 21, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

United States [Member]

United Kingdom [Member]

Europe [Member]

Other Regions [Member]

U.S. and international equities [Member]

Equities [Member]

Real Estate Fund [Member]

Commodities [Member]

U.S Plans [Member]

U.S Plans [Member]

U.S Plans [Member]

U.S Plans [Member]

U.S Plans [Member]

U.K Plans [Member]

Statutory Plans [Member]

Statutory Plans [Member]

Statutory Plans [Member]

Employer Securities [Member]

Debt Securities [Member]

Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year

'

'

'

$144,508,000

$21,095,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets gains or losses added for prior year

80.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets gains or losses added for second preceding year

60.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets gains or losses added for third preceding year

40.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assets gains or losses added for fourth preceding year

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of fixed income assets in debt securities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

20.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of target allocation for equities

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

34.00%

4.00%

2.00%

'

'

'

25.00%

35.00%

'

'

'

'

Common shares sold to the Company's ESOP trust

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

43,534

27,331

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of equities within the pooled pension fund

'

'

'

39.00%

24.00%

14.00%

23.00%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected long-term rate of return on assets

7.75%

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.15%

8.65%

6.90%

6.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Percentage of premium estimated return for equities and properties to risk free rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.00%

'

'

'

Percentage of long term return in cash

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.00%

'

'

'

Expected contribution to qualified plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1,420,000

'

'

'

'

1,005,000

'

'

'

Expected payment related to non-qualified pension plan

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

185,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Balance of the trust assets

1,849,000

1,572,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Supplemental plan liability balances

1,899,000

1,642,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Defined contribution plan expense

$9,304,000

$10,046,000

$8,802,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$199,000

$711,000

$159,000

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_I

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Information for Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
United States [Member]	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	$113,865	$157,051
Accumulated benefit obligation	113,865	157,051
Fair value of plan assets	101,803	124,682
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Projected benefit obligation	'	21,722
Accumulated benefit obligation	'	21,722
Fair value of plan assets	'	$18,390

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_C

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
United States [Member]	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest cost	$6,424	$6,880	$6,927
Expected return on plan assets	-8,828	-8,423	-8,063
Amortization of net actuarial loss	5,109	3,573	2,853
Net periodic benefit cost	2,705	2,030	1,717
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest cost	899	841	1,099
Expected return on plan assets	-941	-888	-1,042
Amortization of net actuarial loss	288	49	204
Net periodic benefit cost	$246	$2	$261

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_O1

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Other Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit Obligations Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
United States [Member]	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net actuarial (gain) loss	($18,539)	$4,622	$10,552
Amortization of net actuarial loss	-5,109	-3,573	-2,853
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	-23,648	1,049	7,699
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	-20,943	3,079	9,416
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Net actuarial (gain) loss	-3,264	3,111	-1,742
Amortization of net actuarial loss	-288	-49	-204
Total recognized in other comprehensive income	-3,552	3,062	-1,946
Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income	($3,306)	$3,064	($1,685)

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_E

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Estimated Amounts Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income into Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
United States [Member]	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
Net actuarial loss	$2,646
United Kingdom [Member]	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
Net actuarial loss	'

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_E1

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Estimated Future Benefit Payments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
United States [Member]	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
2014	$5,948
2015	6,713
2016	7,345
2017	7,891
2018	8,388
2019-2023	47,844
United Kingdom [Member]	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'
2014	503
2015	510
2016	581
2017	623
2018	676
2019-2023	$3,746

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_W

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Weighted-Average Assumptions Used To Determine Benefit Obligations (Detail)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
United States [Member]	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Discount rate	4.87%	4.17%
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'
Discount rate	4.60%	4.30%

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_T1

Postretirement Benefit Plans - The Weighted Average Assumptions Used to Determine Net Periodic Benefit Costs (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
United States [Member]	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.17%	5.06%	5.40%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	7.75%	7.75%	7.75%
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'
Pension Plans, Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Line Items]	'	'	'
Discount rate	4.30%	4.90%	5.60%
Expected long-term return on plan assets	5.25%	5.46%	6.78%

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_C1

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Company's Asset Allocations for its U.S. Pension Plans by Asset Category (Detail) (United States [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	$133,264	$124,682	$104,178
Municipal Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	3,116	2,837	'
Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	91,810	87,036	'
Level 1 [Member] | Municipal Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	41,454	37,646	'
Level 2 [Member] | Municipal Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	3,116	2,837	'
Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Level 3 [Member] | Municipal Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	2,471	3,965	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	2,471	3,965	'
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
U.S. Equities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	32,567	32,850	'
U.S. Equities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	32,567	32,850	'
U.S. Equities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
U.S. Equities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Non-U.S. Equities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	11,892	11,373	'
Non-U.S. Equities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	11,892	11,373	'
Non-U.S. Equities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Non-U.S. Equities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Employer Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	37,823	34,426	'
Employer Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	37,823	34,426	'
Employer Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Employer Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Equities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	82,282	78,649	'
Equities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	82,282	78,649	'
Equities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Equities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
U.S. Corporate Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	24,733	19,873	'
U.S. Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
U.S. Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	24,733	19,873	'
U.S. Corporate Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
U.S. Government and Agency Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	9,101	7,751	'
U.S. Government and Agency Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	2,526	795	'
U.S. Government and Agency Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	6,575	6,956	'
U.S. Government and Agency Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Other Bonds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	4,559	4,015	'
Other Bonds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Other Bonds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	4,559	4,015	'
Other Bonds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Debt Securities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	41,509	34,476	'
Debt Securities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	2,526	795	'
Debt Securities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	38,983	33,681	'
Debt Securities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Real Estate Fund [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	6,090	4,990	'
Real Estate Fund [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	6,090	4,990	'
Real Estate Fund [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Real Estate Fund [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Commodities [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	912	2,602	'
Commodities [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	912	2,602	'
Commodities [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Commodities [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_M

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Market Value Changes Within Asset Categories for Which Fair Value Measurements Use Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 (Detail) (Real Estate Fund [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012
Real Estate Fund [Member]	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'
Beginning balance	$3,720
Sale proceeds	-3,916
Realized loss	840
Change in unrealized gain (loss)	-644
Ending balance	'

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_C2

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Company's Asset Allocations for its U.K. Pension Plans by Asset Category (Detail) (United Kingdom [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	$22,204	$18,390	$15,695
Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	412	845	'
Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	19,366	15,108	'
Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	2,426	2,437	'
Cash [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	412	845	'
Cash [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	412	845	'
Cash [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Cash [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Pooled Pension Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	15,397	11,979	'
Pooled Pension Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Pooled Pension Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	15,397	11,979	'
Pooled Pension Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Pooled Fixed Pension Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	3,550	2,677	'
Pooled Fixed Pension Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Pooled Fixed Pension Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	3,550	2,677	'
Pooled Fixed Pension Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Real Estate Pooled Pension Funds [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	419	452	'
Real Estate Pooled Pension Funds [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Real Estate Pooled Pension Funds [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	419	452	'
Real Estate Pooled Pension Funds [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Insurance Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	2,426	2,437	'
Insurance Contract [Member] | Level 1 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Insurance Contract [Member] | Level 2 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	'	'	'
Insurance Contract [Member] | Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	$2,426	$2,437	'

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_F

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Fair Value Changes Within Asset Categories for which Fair Value Measurements Use Significant Unobservable Inputs Level 3 (Detail) (Insurance Contracts [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Insurance Contracts [Member]	'	'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'	'
Beginning balance	$2,437	$2,218
Sale proceeds (benefit payments)	-175	-173
Change in unrealized gain	120	288
Foreign exchange impact	44	104
Ending balance	$2,426	$2,437

Postretirement_Benefit_Plans_D

Postretirement Benefit Plans - Defined Contribution Plan Expenses for the Company's Retirement Savings Plans and Profit Sharing Plan (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	$9,304	$10,046	$8,802
Retirement Savings Plans [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	4,500	4,284	4,033
Profit Sharing Plan [Member]	'	'	'
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total	$4,804	$5,762	$4,769

Accrued_Liabilities_Statement_

Accrued Liabilities - Statement of composition of Accrued Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued payroll and benefits	$39,722	$42,404
Accrued customer rebates	15,514	14,395
Other accrued liabilities	21,103	15,862
Total accrued liabilities	$76,339	$72,661

Other_NonCurrent_Liabilities_S

Other Non-Current Liabilities - Statement of Composition of Other Non Current Liablities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred revenue	$4,045	$1,614
Environmental and legal matters	13,133	13,459
Deferred compensation liability	50,728	41,665
Pension liability	14,923	37,855
Other non-current liabilities	5,777	4,074
Total other non-current liabilities	$88,606	$98,667

Contingencies_Additional_Infor

Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Site Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Environmental and legal losses, minimum	$9,700,000	'
Environmental and legal losses, maximum	28,900,000	'
Accrued liability for losses	14,700,000	15,400,000
Cash outlays related to legal and environmental matters	2,400,000	3,300,000
Wilmington Site [Member]	'	'
Site Contingency [Line Items]	'	'
Payment of environmental response costs	$2,200,000	'
Contribution for future response costs	5.00%	'

Segment_Reporting_Additional_I

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	3

Segment_Reporting_Operating_Se

Segment Reporting - Operating Segment (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	$474,329	$475,466	$474,445	$456,546	$427,259	$440,978	$470,231	$465,269	$1,880,786	$1,803,737	$1,843,092
Operating Income	13,905	31,085	35,869	28,294	24,604	33,891	34,821	35,400	109,153	128,716	118,456
Assets	1,167,202	'	'	'	985,478	'	'	'	1,167,202	985,478	901,118
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	92,865	83,159	83,166
Depreciation and amortization expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	56,400	51,294	47,099
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,880,786	1,803,737	1,843,092
Operating Income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	165,639	178,963	155,027
Assets	1,070,949	'	'	'	950,714	'	'	'	1,070,949	950,714	852,750
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	91,440	81,317	82,273
Depreciation and amortization expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	55,382	49,634	44,851
Surfactants [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,317,164	1,305,800	1,361,956
Operating Income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	100,201	118,591	100,811
Assets	710,521	'	'	'	692,891	'	'	'	710,521	692,891	624,425
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	66,266	56,236	63,295
Depreciation and amortization expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	36,400	34,036	31,346
Polymers [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	483,361	423,959	421,515
Operating Income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	54,536	48,130	40,909
Assets	292,015	'	'	'	199,013	'	'	'	292,015	199,013	174,029
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	18,804	19,266	15,320
Depreciation and amortization expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	16,351	13,328	11,697
Specialty Products [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	80,261	73,978	59,621
Operating Income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	10,902	12,242	13,307
Assets	68,413	'	'	'	58,810	'	'	'	68,413	58,810	54,296
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	6,370	5,815	3,658
Depreciation and amortization expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2,631	$2,270	$1,808

Segment_Reporting_Reconciliati

Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Segment Information to Consolidated Financial Statements (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business restructuring	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	($1,040)	'	'
Unallocated corporate expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-55,446	-50,247	-36,571
Operating Income	13,905	31,085	35,869	28,294	24,604	33,891	34,821	35,400	109,153	128,716	118,456
Interest expense, net	-2,863	-2,987	-2,329	-2,179	-2,225	-2,684	-2,086	-2,604	-10,358	-9,599	-9,095
Assets	1,167,202	'	'	'	985,478	'	'	'	1,167,202	985,478	901,118
Loss from equity in joint ventures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-5,336	-4,724	-3,616
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	92,865	83,159	83,166
Other, net	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,171	1,329	-851
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	56,400	51,294	47,099
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes	10,310	27,847	32,200	25,273	21,249	30,235	31,518	32,720	95,630	115,722	104,894
Corporate Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Business restructuring	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	-1,040	'	'
Unallocated corporate assets	96,253	'	'	'	34,764	'	'	'	96,253	34,764	48,368
Unallocated corporate expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,425	1,842	893
Unallocated corporate depreciation expenses	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,018	1,660	2,248
Operating Segments [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Operating Income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	165,639	178,963	155,027
Assets	1,070,949	'	'	'	950,714	'	'	'	1,070,949	950,714	852,750
Capital expenditures	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	91,440	81,317	82,273
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$55,382	$49,634	$44,851

Segment_Reporting_Summary_of_C

Segment Reporting - Summary of Company Wide Geographic Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule Of Geographical Segments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	$474,329	$475,466	$474,445	$456,546	$427,259	$440,978	$470,231	$465,269	$1,880,786	$1,803,737	$1,843,092
Long-lived assets	529,437	'	'	'	437,999	'	'	'	529,437	437,999	402,164
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Geographical Segments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,103,181	1,076,222	1,086,233
Long-lived assets	330,799	'	'	'	246,118	'	'	'	330,799	246,118	230,926
France [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Geographical Segments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	221,971	298,158	316,514
Poland [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Geographical Segments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	122,215	19,588	12,382
United Kingdom [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Geographical Segments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	104,470	103,523	122,100
Long-lived assets	23,061	'	'	'	20,878	'	'	'	23,061	20,878	18,268
All Other Countries [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Geographical Segments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	328,949	306,246	305,863
Long-lived assets	47,216	'	'	'	52,483	'	'	'	47,216	52,483	42,150
Germany [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Geographical Segments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	42,309	'	'	'	34,213	'	'	'	42,309	34,213	31,006
Singapore [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Geographical Segments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	44,315	'	'	'	43,239	'	'	'	44,315	43,239	37,827
Philippines [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Geographical Segments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	18,817	'	'	'	22,658	'	'	'	18,817	22,658	23,214
Brazil [Member]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule Of Geographical Segments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived assets	$22,920	'	'	'	$18,410	'	'	'	$22,920	$18,410	$18,773

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock split ratio	'Two-for-one	'
Numerator in stock split ratio	2	2

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Computation of Basic Earnings per Share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Stepan Company	$10,650	$20,402	$22,742	$19,034	$15,439	$20,230	$21,425	$22,302	$72,828	$79,396	$71,976
Deduct dividends on preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	43	579	714
Income applicable to common stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	72,785	78,817	71,262
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,621	21,273	20,726
Basic earnings per share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$3.22	$3.71	$3.44
Computation of Diluted Earnings per Share	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to Stepan Company	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$72,828	$79,396	$71,976
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,621	21,273	20,726
Add weighted-average net shares from assumed exercise of options (under treasury stock method)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	215	392	472
Add weighted-average contingently issuable net shares related to performance stock awards (under treasury stock method)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	12	52
Add weighted-average unvested stock awards (under treasury stock method)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	8	6	4
Add weighted-average shares from assumed conversion of convertible preferred stock	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	80	1,047	1,186
Weighted-average shares applicable to diluted earnings	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	22,924	22,730	22,440
Diluted earnings per share	$0.46	$0.89	$0.99	$0.83	$0.68	$0.89	$0.94	$0.98	$3.18	$3.49	$3.21

Earnings_Per_Share_Computation1

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Parenthetical) (Detail)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'	'	'
Options to purchase shares of common stock not included in the computations of diluted earnings per share	49,815	16,444	91,449

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Summary of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance	($38,250)	($41,485)	($25,599)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	5,300	929	-17,831
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	3,422	2,306	1,945
Other comprehensive income (loss)	8,722	3,235	-15,886
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending Balance	-29,528	-38,250	-41,485
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance	-2,886	-9,086	3,485
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-8,085	6,200	-12,571
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	'	'	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-8,085	6,200	-12,571
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending Balance	-10,971	-2,886	-9,086
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance	-35,498	-32,398	-29,084
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	13,417	-5,387	-5,259
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	3,409	2,287	1,945
Other comprehensive income (loss)	16,826	-3,100	-3,314
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending Balance	-18,672	-35,498	-32,398
Cash Flow Hedge Adjustments [Member]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), beginning balance	134	-1	'
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	-32	116	-1
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	13	19	'
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-19	135	-1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), ending Balance	$115	$134	($1)

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Summary of Reclassifications Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary Of Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Tax (expense) or benefit	($23,293)	($36,035)	($32,292)
Income applicable to common stock	72,785	78,817	71,262
Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Gain and losses on cash flow hedges [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total before tax	-27	-27	'
Tax (expense) or benefit	14	8	'
Income applicable to common stock	-13	-19	'
Interest rate contracts [Member] | Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Gain and losses on cash flow hedges [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Interest, net	-37	-27	'
Foreign exchange contracts [Member] | Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Gain and losses on cash flow hedges [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cost of sales	10	'	'
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Adjustments [Member] | Amount Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Prior service cost	-19	-18	-19
Actuarial loss	-5,410	-3,632	-3,067
Transition obligation	-2	-18	-27
Total before tax	-5,431	-3,668	-3,113
Tax (expense) or benefit	2,022	1,381	1,168
Income applicable to common stock	-3,409	-2,287	-1,945
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'
Summary Of Reclassification Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'	'	'
Income applicable to common stock	($3,422)	($2,306)	($1,945)

Business_Restructuring_Additio

Business Restructuring - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014
	Employees		Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of North American positions eliminated	20	'	'
Severance expense recognized	$1,040,000	$1,040,000	'
Additional depreciation recognized	$296,000	$296,000	$1,800,000

Insurance_Recovery_Additional_

Insurance Recovery - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Insurance Recovery For Business Interruption [Abstract]	'	'
Insurance recovery received for business interruption losses	$3,730,000	$1,188,000

Purchase_of_the_Remaining_Inte1

Purchase of the Remaining Interest in Stepan Philippines Inc - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 22, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'	'
Percentage of company's ownership, before purchasing the interest in Stepan Philippines	88.80%	'
Percentage of company's ownership, after purchasing the interest in Stepan Philippines	100.00%	'
Purchase of remaining non controlling interest of Stepan Philippines Inc.	$2,000,000	$2,000,000
Increase in additional paid in capital	551,000	'
Reclassification of cumulative translation adjustments (gains) to AOCI	$197,000	'

Statement_of_Cash_Flows_Noncas1

Statement of Cash Flows - Noncash Investing and Financing Activities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]	'	'	'
Value of shares tendered for stock options exercised	$92,000	$8,400,000	$1,330,000
Shares tendered for stock options exercised	1,562	176,114	33,286
Shares issued related to the Company's performance stock award plan	48,973	84,568	108,104
Value of shares issued related to Company's performance stock award plan	2,999,000	3,659,000	3,836,000
Noncash investing activities incurred for fixed asset acquisitions	$11,772,000	$10,467,000	$11,723,000

Selected_Quarterly_Financial_D1

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net Sales	$474,329	$475,466	$474,445	$456,546	$427,259	$440,978	$470,231	$465,269	$1,880,786	$1,803,737	$1,843,092
Gross Profit	60,937	74,341	73,707	72,700	70,120	71,253	73,396	76,784	281,685	291,553	255,553
Operating Income	13,905	31,085	35,869	28,294	24,604	33,891	34,821	35,400	109,153	128,716	118,456
Interest expense, net	-2,863	-2,987	-2,329	-2,179	-2,225	-2,684	-2,086	-2,604	-10,358	-9,599	-9,095
Income Before Income Taxes	10,310	27,847	32,200	25,273	21,249	30,235	31,518	32,720	95,630	115,722	104,894
Net income	10,537	20,149	22,654	18,997	15,493	20,319	21,511	22,364	72,337	79,687	72,602
Net income attributable to Stepan Company	$10,650	$20,402	$22,742	$19,034	$15,439	$20,230	$21,425	$22,302	$72,828	$79,396	$71,976
Per Diluted Share	$0.46	$0.89	$0.99	$0.83	$0.68	$0.89	$0.94	$0.98	$3.18	$3.49	$3.21