Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates	*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. 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	*Cash and Cash Equivalents:* The Company considers all highly liquid investments readily convertible to known cash amounts and with a maturity of twelve months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	*Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:* 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 current aging schedules and current economic conditions. Accounts are written off when all reasonable internal and external collection efforts have been performed. At December 31, 2014, we maintained a reserve for doubtful accounts of approximately $83,000.
Foreign Currency	*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. TMM measures and records its transactions in terms of the local Malaysian currency, the Ringgit (“RM”), which is also the functional currency. As a result, gains and losses resulting from translating the balance sheet from RM 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, 2014, the cumulative translation adjustment included on the consolidated balance sheets totaled $712,000. 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, 2014, the cumulative translation adjustment included on the consolidated balance sheets totaled $931,000.
Inventories	*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. Due to the weakness in the titanium dioxide (“TiO2) market, the Company experienced a write down of approximately $1.3 million in inventory, primarily related to HITOX and Synthetic Rutile, from the cost to estimated market value for the year ended December 31, 2013; however, the Company determined that a write down was not required for the year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, we maintained a reserve for obsolescence and unmarketable inventory of approximately $131,000 at December 31, 2014. If actual future demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. 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 year ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded approximately $847,000 and $1,000,000, respectively related to idle facility expense primarily at the Malaysian operations.
Property, Plant and Equipment	*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	*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, management determined that certain assets at TMM were impaired resulting in a write down of approximately $2,140,000 for the year ended December 31, 2014, and based on our 2013 assessment, no impairment existed at December 31, 2013. There can be no assurance that future impairment tests will not result in a charge to net earnings (loss).
Revenue Recognition	*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 or 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; and 4) collectability is reasonably assured. The Company does not offer any type of discount or allowance to our customers.
Shipping and Handling	*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	*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	*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, 2011 through December 31, 2014. Our state tax return, which is filed in Texas, is subject to examination for the tax years ended December 31, 2010 through December 31, 2014. Our tax returns in various non-U.S. jurisdictions are subject to examination for various tax years dating back to December 31, 2008. As of January 1, 2014, we did not have any unrecognized tax benefits and there was no change during the year ended December 31, 2014. In addition, we did not recognize any interest and penalties in our consolidated financial statements during the year ended December 31, 2014. 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.
Share Based Compensation	*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 year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded $128,000 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.
Derivatives	*Derivatives:* We manage the risk of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily at our Malaysian operation, through the use of foreign currency contracts. Foreign exchange contracts are used to protect the Company from the risk that the eventual cash flows resulting from transactions in foreign currencies, including sales and purchases transacted in a currency other than the functional currency, will be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. We report the fair value of the derivatives on our consolidated balance sheets and changes in the fair value are recognized in earnings in the period of the change. (See Note 13, Derivatives and Other Financial Instruments).
Reclassifications	Reclassifications: Certain reclassification have been made to the prior year’s consolidated financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company.
New Accounting Standards	*New Accounting Standards* In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606. This ASU replaces nearly all existing U.S. GAAP guidance on revenue recognition. The standard prescribes a five-step model for recognizing revenue, the application of which will require significant judgment. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. We do not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements—Going Concern: Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which requires the management of the Company to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 (our 2016 fiscal year). While early adoption is permitted, we do not plan to early adopt this guidance. We do not expect that the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Disclosure of accounting policy for basis of accounting, or basis of presentation, used to prepare the financial statements, and also including disclosure of accounting policy for the use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

No definition available.