Segment Geographic and Market Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Net sales by product line
Sales Revenue, Net	$ 943,796	[1]	$ 826,277	[1]	$ 687,485	[1]
Metalcasting [Member]
Net sales by product line
Sales Revenue, Net	251,546	[1]	196,663	[1]	139,949	[1]
Oilfield Services [Member]
Net sales by product line
Sales Revenue, Net	194,735	[1]	153,550	[1]	119,821	[1]
Specialty Materials [Member]
Net sales by product line
Sales Revenue, Net	105,789	[1]	107,287	[1]	98,097	[1]
Lining Technologies [Member]
Net sales by product line
Sales Revenue, Net	104,220	[1]	110,806	[1]	102,419	[1]
Building Materials [Member]
Net sales by product line
Sales Revenue, Net	80,686	[1]	58,860	[1]	55,823	[1]
Pet Products [Member]
Net sales by product line
Sales Revenue, Net	56,133	[1]	61,971	[1]	66,441	[1]
Basic Minerals [Member]
Net sales by product line
Sales Revenue, Net	55,088	[1]	49,199	[1]	27,901	[1]
Contracting Services [Member]
Net sales by product line
Sales Revenue, Net	36,027	[1]	30,968	[1]	25,426	[1]
Drilling Products [Member]
Net sales by product line
Sales Revenue, Net	31,385	[1]	26,285	[1]	22,727	[1]
Transportation [Member]
Net sales by product line
Sales Revenue, Net	54,113	[1]	52,225	[1]	46,642	[1]
Intersegment Shipping Revenue [Member]
Net sales by product line
Sales Revenue, Net	$ (25,926)	[1]	$ (21,537)	[1]	$ (17,761)	[1]

[1] Restated