Reportable Segments and Geographic Data (Schedule of Financial Data by Reporting Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 194,300	$ 194,600	$ 191,900	$ 180,100	$ 197,400	$ 200,300	$ 189,700	$ 200,000	$ 196,300	$ 186,600	$ 185,600	$ 174,500	$ 760,941	$ 787,287	$ 742,887
Depreciation and amortization													63,067	63,812	60,444
Operating income/(loss)													(44,136)	74,608	64,709
Interest income													(1,517)	(2,027)	(1,165)
Interest expense													18,118	20,148	18,405
Other expense/(income), net													7,629	2,639	(976)
(Loss)/income before income taxes													(68,366)	53,848	48,445
Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales													693,176	739,211	701,020
Depreciation and amortization													46,843	48,181	49,036
Operating income/(loss)													163,873	176,759	165,662
Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales													67,765	48,076	41,867
Depreciation and amortization													5,920	4,959	4,277
Operating income/(loss)													(840)	(4,204)	(9,176)
Research Expense [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization													1,252	1,314	1,226
Operating income/(loss)													(27,616)	(29,007)	(26,064)
Unallocated Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Depreciation and amortization													9,052	9,358	5,905
Operating income/(loss)													$ (179,553)	$ (68,940)	$ (65,713)