Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2021	Apr. 30, 2020
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 112,486	$ 86,496
Applied Technology [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	54,868	42,007
Aerostar [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	8,887	11,151
Engineered Films [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	48,765	33,398
All Segments [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	112,486	86,496
UNITED STATES | Lighter-than-air [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	4,499	6,082
UNITED STATES | Plastic Films and Sheeting [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	45,368	30,496
UNITED STATES | Precision Agriculture [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	35,652	30,861
UNITED STATES | Other Product [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	3,767	5,052
UNITED STATES | Applied Technology [Member] | Precision Agriculture [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	35,652	30,861
UNITED STATES | Aerostar [Member] | Lighter-than-air [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	4,499	6,082
UNITED STATES | Aerostar [Member] | Other Product [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	3,767	5,052
UNITED STATES | Engineered Films [Member] | Plastic Films and Sheeting [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	45,402	30,556
Non-US [Member] | Lighter-than-air [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	597	12
Non-US [Member] | Plastic Films and Sheeting [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	3,363	2,842
Non-US [Member] | Precision Agriculture [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	19,216	11,146
Non-US [Member] | Other Product [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	24	5
Non-US [Member] | Applied Technology [Member] | Precision Agriculture [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	19,216	11,146
Non-US [Member] | Aerostar [Member] | Lighter-than-air [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	597	12
Non-US [Member] | Aerostar [Member] | Other Product [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	24	5
Non-US [Member] | Engineered Films [Member] | Plastic Films and Sheeting [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	3,363	2,842
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	(34)	(60)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | UNITED STATES | Plastic Films and Sheeting [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	(34)	(60)
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | UNITED STATES | Precision Agriculture [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	0	0
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] | Non-US [Member] | Plastic Films and Sheeting [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 0	$ 0