Debt - Long-term Debt - Financial Institutions (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Fixed Rate term note payable to a U.S. bank, with an interest rate of 6.65% due January 1, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 Fixed Rate term note payable to a U.S. bank, with an interest rate of 6.65% due January 1, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Fixed rate Euro term note payable to a Netherlands bank, with an interest rate of 7.8% due July 1, 2029 TOR Processing and Trade USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Fixed rate Euro term note payable to a Netherlands bank, with an interest rate of 7.8% due July 1, 2029 TOR Processing and Trade EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2012 Fixed rate Euro term note payable to a Netherlands bank, with an interest rate of 7.8% due July 1, 2029 TOR Processing and Trade USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Fixed rate Euro term note payable to a Netherlands bank, with an interest rate of 3.3% due January 31, 2030 TOR Processing and Trade USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Fixed rate Euro term note payable to a Netherlands bank, with an interest rate of 3.3% due January 31, 2030 TOR Processing and Trade EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2012 Fixed rate Euro term note payable to a Netherlands bank, with an interest rate of 3.3% due January 31, 2030 TOR Processing and Trade USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Fixed rate Euro term note payable to a Netherlands bank, with an interest rate of 4.05% due July 31, 2015 TOR Processing and Trade USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Fixed rate Euro term note payable to a Netherlands bank, with an interest rate of 4.05% due July 31, 2015 TOR Processing and Trade EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2012 Fixed rate Euro term note payable to a Netherlands bank, with an interest rate of 4.05% due July 31, 2015 TOR Processing and Trade USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Fixed rate Euro term note payable to a Netherlands bank, with an interest rate of 4.25% due July 5, 2014 TOR Processing and Trade USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Fixed rate Euro term note payable to a Netherlands bank, with an interest rate of 4.25% due July 5, 2014 TOR Processing and Trade EUR (€)	Dec. 31, 2012 Fixed rate Euro term note payable to a Netherlands bank, with an interest rate of 4.25% due July 5, 2014 TOR Processing and Trade USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Malaysian Ringgit term note payable to a Malaysian bank, with an interest rate of 5.2% due March 1, 2015 TOR Minerals Malaysia USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 Malaysian Ringgit term note payable to a Malaysian bank, with an interest rate of 5.2% due March 1, 2015 TOR Minerals Malaysia MYR	Dec. 31, 2012 Malaysian Ringgit term note payable to a Malaysian bank, with an interest rate of 5.2% due March 1, 2015 TOR Minerals Malaysia USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total	$ 3,518	$ 3,543	$ 1,212	$ 1,309	$ 346	€ 270	$ 363	$ 377	€ 295	$ 395	$ 123	€ 96	$ 143	$ 353	€ 276	$ 442	$ 1,132	3,500	$ 866
Less current maturities	1,192	1,202
Total long-term debt and notes payable - financial institutions	$ 2,351	$ 2,316