Reportable Segments (Schedule of Financial Data by Reporting Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 197,974	$ 191,940	$ 384,628	$ 372,017
Operating income/(loss)	(3,513)	(86,004)	19,005	(86,913)
Other expense/ (income), net	2,211	(2,555)	2,945	1,993
(Loss)/income before income taxes	(9,271)	(87,418)	8,488	(97,519)
Operating Segments [Member] | Machine Clothing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	177,536	177,122	344,946	341,410
Operating income/(loss)	20,699	44,997	63,607	75,842
Operating Segments [Member] | Engineered Composites [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	20,438	14,818	39,682	30,607
Operating income/(loss)	(1,825)	(369)	(3,888)	(340)
Research Expense [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)	(7,673)	(7,253)	(14,664)	(13,318)
Unallocated Expenses [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income/(loss)	(14,714)	(123,379)	(26,050)	(149,097)
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Interest income	(300)	(522)	(600)	(606)
Interest expense	3,847	4,491	8,172	9,219
Other expense/ (income), net	$ 2,211	$ (2,555)	$ 2,945	$ 1,993