Restructuring Activities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring cost		$ 696		$ 2,905
Summary of restructuring activities
Beginning balance	231	2,123	1,113	2,579
Restructuring charges	359	1,068	390	4,991
Loss on disposal of assets				(1,216)
Cash payments and other	(333)	(1,395)	(1,246)	(4,558)
Ending balance	257	1,796	257	1,796
Employee Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring cost	359	372	390	1,353
Other Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring cost				733
Energy & Chemicals [Member]
Summary of restructuring activities
Beginning balance	0	0	0	103
Restructuring charges	0	0	0	0
Loss on disposal of assets				0
Cash payments and other	0	0	0	(103)
Ending balance	0	0	0	0
Distribution & Storage [Member]
Summary of restructuring activities
Beginning balance	6	157	115	388
Restructuring charges	0	0	0	26
Loss on disposal of assets				0
Cash payments and other	(4)	(43)	(113)	(300)
Ending balance	2	114	2	114
BioMedical [Member]
Summary of restructuring activities
Beginning balance	225	1,966	998	2,088
Restructuring charges	359	1,068	390	4,528
Loss on disposal of assets		(1,216)		(1,216)
Cash payments and other	(329)	(1,352)	(1,133)	(3,718)
Ending balance	255	1,682	255	1,682
Corporate [Member]
Summary of restructuring activities
Beginning balance	0	0	0	0
Restructuring charges	0	0	0	437
Loss on disposal of assets				0
Cash payments and other	0	0	0	(437)
Ending balance	0	0	0	0
Cost of Sales [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring cost	318	696	349	1,661
Selling, general and administrative expense [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring cost		$ 372	$ 41	$ 2,114