INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Major components of intangible assets
Gross amortizable intangible assets	$ 11,577,000		$ 11,577,000		$ 11,496,000
Accumulated amortization	(6,592,000)		(6,592,000)		(5,998,000)
Amortizable intangible assets, net	4,985,000		4,985,000		5,498,000
Intangible assets not subject to amortization	7,518,000		7,518,000		7,267,000
Intangible assets, net	12,503,000		12,503,000		12,765,000
Amortization expense related to these amortizable intangible assets	200,000	200,000	600,000	600,000
Increase in the value of intangible asset not subject to amortization due to result of foreign currency exchange			200,000
Land rights
Major components of intangible assets
Gross amortizable intangible assets	2,760,000		2,760,000		2,746,000
Accumulated amortization	(101,000)		(101,000)		(59,000)
Patents
Major components of intangible assets
Gross amortizable intangible assets	2,994,000		2,994,000		2,965,000
Accumulated amortization	(2,781,000)		(2,781,000)		(2,704,000)
Technical know-how and other
Major components of intangible assets
Gross amortizable intangible assets	5,823,000		5,823,000		5,785,000
Accumulated amortization	$ (3,710,000)		$ (3,710,000)		$ (3,235,000)