Segment Reporting Business segment net sales and operating income results (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2012	Apr. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	$ 117,915	$ 101,541
Operating income	(28,432)	(23,533)
Administrative and general expenses	(4,160)	(3,156)
Applied Technology [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	50,480	39,125
Operating income	20,910	15,074
Engineered Films [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	41,094	30,091
Operating income	9,179	4,129
Aerostar [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	10,801	15,139
Operating income	(1,161)	4,062
Electronic Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	19,120	19,477
Operating income	3,695	3,412
Due to related party percentgae of net sales	75.00%
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales	(3,580)	(2,291)
Operating income	(31)	12
Reportable Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	$ 32,592	$ 26,689