Acquisition of Specialty Chemical Intermediates Product Lines - By Acquiree (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 4 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jan. 30, 2015
May 31, 2016
May 31, 2015
May 31, 2015
May 31, 2016
May 31, 2015
Pro Forma Information            
Acquisition related costs (Note 14)           $ 584
Net income   $ 7,531 $ 7,166   $ 21,952 $ 18,232
Henkel Corporation ( Seller)            
Acquisition of Specialty Chemical Intermediates Businesses            
Intangible assets $ 25,240          
Pro Forma Information            
Statutory tax rate (as a percent)         35.00%  
Revenue         $ 181,664  
Net income         19,655  
Net income attributable to Chase Corporation         $ 19,560  
Net income available to common shareholders, per common and common equivalent share            
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)         $ 2.13  
Diluted earning per share (in dollars per share)         $ 2.10  
Henkel Corporation ( Seller) | Customer Relationships            
Acquisition of Specialty Chemical Intermediates Businesses            
Intangible assets $ 21,300          
Useful life 8 years          
Henkel Corporation ( Seller) | Technology            
Acquisition of Specialty Chemical Intermediates Businesses            
Intangible assets $ 2,700          
Useful life 7 years          
Henkel Corporation ( Seller) | Trade names            
Acquisition of Specialty Chemical Intermediates Businesses            
Intangible assets $ 910          
Useful life 7 years          
Henkel Corporation ( Seller) | Backlog            
Acquisition of Specialty Chemical Intermediates Businesses            
Intangible assets $ 330          
Useful life 2 months          
Specialty chemical intermediates product line            
Pro Forma Information            
Revenue since acquisition date       $ 7,236    
Net gain since acquisition date       204    
Acquisition related costs (Note 14)       584    
Inventory step-up costs       $ 65