Segment Reporting - Information by Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Summary of segment information
Net Sales		$ 199,703	$ 249,492	$ 421,931	$ 502,902
Operating income (loss)		(51,229)	(71,891)	(56,864)	(79,213)
Capital Expenditures		1,234	2,287	3,295	4,299
Depreciation and amortization		6,312	6,533	12,667	12,990
Metals segment
Summary of segment information
Net Sales		166,328	214,095	354,868	433,158
Operating income (loss)		(49,996)	(70,155)	(53,000)	(76,387)
Capital Expenditures		713	1,859	2,550	3,737
Depreciation and amortization		5,887	6,103	11,781	12,159
Plastics segment
Summary of segment information
Net Sales		33,375	35,397	67,063	69,744
Operating income (loss)		1,748	1,667	2,978	3,174
Capital Expenditures		521	428	745	562
Depreciation and amortization		425	430	886	831
Other
Summary of segment information
Net Sales		0	0	0	0
Operating income (loss)	[1]	(2,981)	(3,403)	(6,842)	(6,000)
Capital Expenditures		0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization		$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

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