Segment financial information - adjusted operating income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2026	Jun. 30, 2025	Jun. 30, 2026	Jun. 30, 2025
Segment financial information
Net sales	$ 1,692.3	$ 1,683.4	$ 3,273.7	$ 3,264.8
Adjusted cost of goods and services sold	1,154.6	1,129.1	2,235.2	2,175.5
Adjusted operating expenses	312.6	302.1	622.8	594.3
Adjusted Operating Income	225.1	252.2	415.7	495.0
Adjusted cost of sales, non-GAAP adjustments	0.7	0.2	0.8	0.3
Adjusted operating expenses, non-GAAP adjustments	102.6	123.2	193.6	218.5
Bioscience & Medtech Products
Segment financial information
Net sales	451.8	475.9	883.2	902.3
VWR Distribution & Services
Segment financial information
Net sales	1,240.5	1,207.5	2,390.5	2,362.5
Operating Segments \| Bioscience & Medtech Products
Segment financial information
Net sales	451.8	475.9	883.2	902.3
Adjusted cost of goods and services sold	231.9	242.8	458.6	458.2
Adjusted operating expenses	102.3	101.7	204.3	198.2
Adjusted Operating Income	117.6	131.4	220.3	245.9
Operating Segments \| VWR Distribution & Services
Segment financial information
Net sales	1,240.5	1,207.5	2,390.5	2,362.5
Adjusted cost of goods and services sold	922.7	886.3	1,776.6	1,717.3
Adjusted operating expenses	191.4	179.6	382.1	355.7
Adjusted Operating Income	126.4	141.6	231.8	289.5
Corporate
Segment financial information
Net sales	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Adjusted cost of goods and services sold	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
Adjusted operating expenses	18.9	20.8	36.4	40.4
Adjusted Operating Income	$ (18.9)	$ (20.8)	$ (36.4)	$ (40.4)