Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies *Business Description* TOR Minerals International, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company"), a Delaware Corporation, is engaged in a single industry, the manufacture and sale of mineral products for use as pigments and extenders, primarily in the manufacture of paints, industrial coatings plastics, catalysts and solid surface applications. The Company's global headquarters and U.S. manufacturing plant are located in Corpus Christi, Texas (“TOR U.S.” or “U.S. Operation”). The Asian Operation, TOR Minerals Malaysia, Sdn. Bhd. (“TMM”), is located in Ipoh, Malaysia, and the European Operation, TOR Processing and Trade, BV (“TPT”), is located in Hattem, The Netherlands. *Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates* The consolidated financial statements include accounts of TOR Minerals International, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, TMM and TPT. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in the consolidation process. TMM measures and records its transactions in terms of the local Malaysian currency, the Ringgit, which is also the functional currency. As a result, gains and losses resulting from translating the Balance Sheet from Ringgits to U.S. Dollars are recorded as cumulative translation adjustments (which are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders’ equity) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the cumulative translation adjustment included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $2,367,000 and $2,816,000, respectively. TPT’s functional currency is the Euro. As a result, gains and losses resulting from translating the Balance Sheet from Euros to U.S. Dollars are recorded as cumulative translation adjustments on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the cumulative translation adjustment included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $1,596,000 and $1,860,000, respectively. In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of consolidated assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. *Cash and Cash Equivalents:* The Company considers all highly liquid investments readily convertible to known cash amounts and with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. *Accounts Receivable:* The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and, generally, requires no collateral from its customers. The allowance for non-collection of accounts receivable is based upon the expected collectability of all accounts receivable including review of agings and current economic conditions. Accounts are written off when all reasonable internal and external collection efforts have been performed. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we maintained a reserve for doubtful accounts of approximately $87,000 and $97,000, respectively. The increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts was primarily related to the global economic conditions and its effects on the collectability of customer balances. *Foreign Currency:* Results of operations for the Company’s foreign operations, TMM and TPT, are translated from the designated functional currency to the U.S. Dollar using average exchange rates during the period, while assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the reporting date. Resulting gains or losses from translating foreign currency financial statements are reported as other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax. The effect of changes in exchange rates between the designated functional currency and the currency in which a transaction is denominated are recorded as foreign currency transaction gains (losses) in earnings. *Inventories:* Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost being determined principally by use of the average-cost method. The Company writes down inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we maintained a reserve for obsolescence and unmarketable inventory of approximately $264,000 and $348,000, respectively. Overhead is charged to inventory based on normal capacity and we expense abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight and handling costs in the period incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded approximately $103,000 and $671,000, respectively, related to idle facility expense primarily at the Malaysian operations. TMM is our primary source for SR. There is only one other available source for the quality of SR required for the production of HITOX. If supplies of SR from TMM are interrupted and we are unable to arrange for an alternative source, this could result in our inability to produce HITOX, which accounted for approximately 43%, 39% and 42% of our sales for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. *Property, Plant and Equipment:* Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of depreciable assets which range from 3 to 39 years. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to operations as incurred and major improvements extending asset lives are capitalized. *Valuation of Long-Lived Assets:* The impairment of tangible and intangible assets is assessed when changes in circumstances (such as, but not limited to, a decrease in market value of an asset, current and historical operating losses or a change in business strategy) indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. This assessment is based on management’s estimates of future undiscounted cash flows, salvage values or net sales proceeds. These estimates take into account management’s expectations and judgments regarding future business and economic conditions, future market values and disposal costs. Actual results and events could differ significantly from management’s estimates. Based upon our most recent analysis, we believe that no impairment exists at December 31, 2011. There can be no assurance that future impairment tests will not result in a charge to net earnings (loss). *Revenue Recognition:* The Company recognizes revenue when each of the following four criteria are met: 1) a contract or sales arrangement exists; 2) title and risk of loss transfers to the customer upon shipment for FOB shipping point sales and when the Company receives confirmation of receipt and acceptance by the customer for FOB destination sales; 3) the price of the products is fixed or determinable; 4) collectability is reasonably assured. *Shipping and Handling:* The Company records shipping and handling costs, associated with the outbound freight on products shipped to customers, as a component of cost of goods sold. *Earnings Per Share:* Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding and exclude any dilutive effects of options, warrants, debentures and/or convertible preferred stock. Diluted earnings per share reflect the effect of all dilutive items. *Income Taxes:* The Company records income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. When accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, we evaluate all tax years still subject to potential audit under the applicable state, federal and foreign income tax laws. We are subject to taxation in the United States, Malaysia and The Netherlands. Our federal income tax returns in the United States are subject to examination for the tax years ended December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2011. Our state returns, which are filed in Texas and Ohio, are subject to examination for the tax years ended December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2011. Our tax returns in various non-U.S. jurisdictions are subject to examination for various tax years ended December 31, 2006 through December 31, 2011. As of January 1, 2011, we did not have any unrecognized tax benefits and there was no change during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2011. In addition, we did not recognize any interest and penalties in our consolidated financial statements during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2011. If any interest or penalties related to any income tax liabilities are imposed in future reporting periods, we expect to record both of these items as components of income tax expense. Derivatives and Hedging Activities: The Company records the fair value of all outstanding derivative instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in other current assets and current liabilities. Derivatives are held as part of a formally documented risk management (hedging) program. All derivatives are straightforward and are held for purposes other than trading. The Company measures hedge effectiveness by formally assessing, at least quarterly, the historical and probable future high correlation of changes in the fair value or expected future cash flows of the hedged item. The ineffective portions, if any, are recorded in current earnings in the current period. If the hedging relationship ceases to be highly effective or if it becomes probable that an expected transaction will no longer occur, gains or losses on the derivative are recorded in current earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in current earnings along with the change in fair value of the underlying hedged item if the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge or in other comprehensive income (loss) if the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge. If no hedging relationship is designated, the derivative is marked to market through current earnings. The Company has utilized natural gas forward contracts to hedge a portion of its U.S. Operation’s natural gas needs and has utilized foreign currency forward contracts at both the U.S. and Asian Operations to hedge a portion of its foreign currency risk. (See Note 14, Derivatives and Other Financial Instruments). On January 1, 2009, we adopted changes issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) to disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities. These changes require enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities, including (1) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (2) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and (3) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Other than the required disclosures (see Note 14, Derivatives and Other Financial Instruments), the adoption of these changes had no impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements. *Share Based Compensation:* The Company calculates share based compensation using the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black-Scholes”) option-pricing model, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. For the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we recorded $59,000, $91,000 and $266,000, respectively, in share-based employee compensation. This compensation cost is included in the general and administrative expenses and cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. *Subsequent Events:* The Company evaluated all activity of TOR through the issue date of the consolidated financial statements, and concluded that all subsequent events that would require recognition in the consolidated financial statements or disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements have been incorporated into this Annual Report Form 10-K.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Business Description

TOR Minerals International, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company"), a Delaware Corporation, is engaged in a single industry, the manufacture and sale of mineral products for use as pigments and extenders, primarily in the manufacture of paints, industrial coatings plastics, catalysts and solid surface applications. The Company's global headquarters and U.S. manufacturing plant are located in Corpus Christi, Texas (“TOR U.S.” or “U.S. Operation”). The Asian Operation, TOR Minerals Malaysia, Sdn. Bhd. (“TMM”), is located in Ipoh, Malaysia, and the European Operation, TOR Processing and Trade, BV (“TPT”), is located in Hattem, The Netherlands.

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

The consolidated financial statements include accounts of TOR Minerals International, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, TMM and TPT. All significant intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in the consolidation process.

TMM measures and records its transactions in terms of the local Malaysian currency, the Ringgit, which is also the functional currency. As a result, gains and losses resulting from translating the Balance Sheet from Ringgits to U.S. Dollars are recorded as cumulative translation adjustments (which are included in accumulated other comprehensive income, a separate component of shareholders’ equity) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the cumulative translation adjustment included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $2,367,000 and $2,816,000, respectively.

TPT’s functional currency is the Euro. As a result, gains and losses resulting from translating the Balance Sheet from Euros to U.S. Dollars are recorded as cumulative translation adjustments on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the cumulative translation adjustment included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets totaled $1,596,000 and $1,860,000, respectively.

In preparing consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of consolidated assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments readily convertible to known cash amounts and with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable: The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and, generally, requires no collateral from its customers. The allowance for non-collection of accounts receivable is based upon the expected collectability of all accounts receivable including review of agings and current economic conditions. Accounts are written off when all reasonable internal and external collection efforts have been performed. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we maintained a reserve for doubtful accounts of approximately $87,000 and $97,000, respectively. The increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts was primarily related to the global economic conditions and its effects on the collectability of customer balances.

Foreign Currency: Results of operations for the Company’s foreign operations, TMM and TPT, are translated from the designated functional currency to the U.S. Dollar using average exchange rates during the period, while assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the reporting date. Resulting gains or losses from translating foreign currency financial statements are reported as other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax. The effect of changes in exchange rates between the designated functional currency and the currency in which a transaction is denominated are recorded as foreign currency transaction gains (losses) in earnings.

Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost being determined principally by use of the average-cost method. The Company writes down inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we maintained a reserve for obsolescence and unmarketable inventory of approximately $264,000 and $348,000, respectively.

Overhead is charged to inventory based on normal capacity and we expense abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight and handling costs in the period incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded approximately $103,000 and $671,000, respectively, related to idle facility expense primarily at the Malaysian operations.

TMM is our primary source for SR. There is only one other available source for the quality of SR required for the production of HITOX. If supplies of SR from TMM are interrupted and we are unable to arrange for an alternative source, this could result in our inability to produce HITOX, which accounted for approximately 43%, 39% and 42% of our sales for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of depreciable assets which range from 3 to 39 years. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to operations as incurred and major improvements extending asset lives are capitalized.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets: The impairment of tangible and intangible assets is assessed when changes in circumstances (such as, but not limited to, a decrease in market value of an asset, current and historical operating losses or a change in business strategy) indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. This assessment is based on management’s estimates of future undiscounted cash flows, salvage values or net sales proceeds. These estimates take into account management’s expectations and judgments regarding future business and economic conditions, future market values and disposal costs. Actual results and events could differ significantly from management’s estimates. Based upon our most recent analysis, we believe that no impairment exists at December 31, 2011. There can be no assurance that future impairment tests will not result in a charge to net earnings (loss).

Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes revenue when each of the following four criteria are met: 1) a contract or sales arrangement exists; 2) title and risk of loss transfers to the customer upon shipment for FOB shipping point sales and when the Company receives confirmation of receipt and acceptance by the customer for FOB destination sales; 3) the price of the products is fixed or determinable; 4) collectability is reasonably assured.

Shipping and Handling: The Company records shipping and handling costs, associated with the outbound freight on products shipped to customers, as a component of cost of goods sold.

Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding and exclude any dilutive effects of options, warrants, debentures and/or convertible preferred stock. Diluted earnings per share reflect the effect of all dilutive items.

Income Taxes: The Company records income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.

When accounting for uncertainties in income taxes, we evaluate all tax years still subject to potential audit under the applicable state, federal and foreign income tax laws. We are subject to taxation in the United States, Malaysia and The Netherlands. Our federal income tax returns in the United States are subject to examination for the tax years ended December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2011. Our state returns, which are filed in Texas and Ohio, are subject to examination for the tax years ended December 31, 2008 through December 31, 2011. Our tax returns in various non-U.S. jurisdictions are subject to examination for various tax years ended December 31, 2006 through December 31, 2011.

As of January 1, 2011, we did not have any unrecognized tax benefits and there was no change during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2011. In addition, we did not recognize any interest and penalties in our consolidated financial statements during the twelve month period ended December 31, 2011. If any interest or penalties related to any income tax liabilities are imposed in future reporting periods, we expect to record both of these items as components of income tax expense.

Derivatives and Hedging Activities: The Company records the fair value of all outstanding derivative instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in other current assets and current liabilities. Derivatives are held as part of a formally documented risk management (hedging) program. All derivatives are straightforward and are held for purposes other than trading. The Company measures hedge effectiveness by formally assessing, at least quarterly, the historical and probable future high correlation of changes in the fair value or expected future cash flows of the hedged item. The ineffective portions, if any, are recorded in current earnings in the current period. If the hedging relationship ceases to be highly effective or if it becomes probable that an expected transaction will no longer occur, gains or losses on the derivative are recorded in current earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded in current earnings along with the change in fair value of the underlying hedged item if the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge or in other comprehensive income (loss) if the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge. If no hedging relationship is designated, the derivative is marked to market through current earnings. The Company has utilized natural gas forward contracts to hedge a portion of its U.S. Operation’s natural gas needs and has utilized foreign currency forward contracts at both the U.S. and Asian Operations to hedge a portion of its foreign currency risk. (See Note 14, Derivatives and Other Financial Instruments).

On January 1, 2009, we adopted changes issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) to disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities. These changes require enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities, including (1) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (2) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and (3) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows. Other than the required disclosures (see Note 14, Derivatives and Other Financial Instruments), the adoption of these changes had no impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Share Based Compensation: The Company calculates share based compensation using the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black-Scholes”) option-pricing model, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. For the twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, we recorded $59,000, $91,000 and $266,000, respectively, in share-based employee compensation. This compensation cost is included in the general and administrative expenses and cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Subsequent Events: The Company evaluated all activity of TOR through the issue date of the consolidated financial statements, and concluded that all subsequent events that would require recognition in the consolidated financial statements or disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements have been incorporated into this Annual Report Form 10-K.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure, and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements.

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