1. Description of Business (Details Narrative) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Reserve for doubtful accounts	$ 366				$ 102	$ 366	$ 83
Write down inventory					0	1,749
Reserve for obsolescence and unmarketable inventory	826				399	826	$ 85
Idle facility expense, freight and handling costs	642					642
Loss on impairment of assets	$ 2,912	$ 38	$ 0	$ 0	0	2,950
Share based compensation					170	133
HITOX [Member]
Write down inventory						$ 1,749
TOR Minerals Malaysia [Member]
Cumulative translation adjustment					1,696
Idle facility expense, freight and handling costs					5
TOR Processing and Trade, BV [Member]
Cumulative translation adjustment					$ 182