Discontinued Operation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Costs and expenses:
Income tax provision	$ 0	$ (1,097)
Total net income from discontinued operations	$ 0	1,585
Metabolix GmbH
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Income Statement Disclosures [Abstract]
Total revenue		4,945
Costs and expenses:
Cost of product revenue		793
Research and development		9,854
Selling, general and administrative		1,449
Net gain on sales of biopolymer assets		(9,833)
Total costs and expenses		2,263
Income from discontinued operations before income tax provision		2,682
Income tax provision		(1,097)
Total net income from discontinued operations		$ 1,585