Segment Reporting - Information by Reportable Segment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013
Summary of segment information
Net Sales	$ 249,492		$ 273,410		$ 502,902		$ 566,124
Operating (loss) income	(71,891)		(3,763)		(79,213)		(4,736)
Capital Expenditures	2,287		3,829		4,299		5,436
Depreciation and amortization	6,533		6,633		12,990		13,204
Metals segment
Summary of segment information
Net Sales	214,095		239,450		433,158		497,830
Operating (loss) income	(70,155)		(2,576)		(76,387)		(2,851)
Capital Expenditures	1,859		3,520		3,737		4,647
Depreciation and amortization	6,103		6,211		12,159		12,376
Plastics segment
Summary of segment information
Net Sales	35,397		33,960		69,744		68,294
Operating (loss) income	1,667		720		3,174		1,901
Capital Expenditures	428		309		562		789
Depreciation and amortization	430		422		831		828
Other
Summary of segment information
Net Sales	0		0		0		0
Operating (loss) income	(3,403)	[1]	(1,907)	[1]	(6,000)	[1]	(3,786)	[1]
Capital Expenditures	0		0		0		0
Depreciation and amortization	$ 0		$ 0		$ 0		$ 0

[1] “Other” – Operating loss includes the costs of executive, legal and finance departments, which are shared by both the Metals and Plastics segments.