Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2008	$ 60,756,984	$ 113,776	$ 42,861,229	$ 17,781,979
Beginning Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2008		11,377,623
Issuance of common stock for employee equity awards (in shares)		59,957
Issuance of common stock for employee equity awards	3,150	600	2,550
Acquisition of Fidia Advanced Biopolymers S.r.l. (in shares)		1,981,192
Acquisition of Fidia Advanced Biopolymers S.r.l.	16,820,320	19,812	16,800,508
Tax (shortfall) benefit related to stock based compensation	(82,544)		(82,544)
Stock based compensation expense	958,025		958,025
Net income	3,687,567			3,687,567
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009	82,143,502	134,188	60,539,768	21,469,546
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2009		13,418,772
Issuance of common stock for employee equity awards (in shares)		63,612
Issuance of common stock for employee equity awards	197,244	635	196,609
Tax (shortfall) benefit related to stock based compensation	(21,188)		(21,188)
Stock based compensation expense	1,102,369		1,102,369
Net income	4,315,995			4,315,995
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,547,776)				(2,547,776)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	85,190,146	134,823	61,817,558	25,785,541	(2,547,776)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2010		13,482,384
Issuance of common stock for employee equity awards (in shares)		148,223
Issuance of common stock for employee equity awards	160,470	1,482	158,988
Tax (shortfall) benefit related to stock based compensation	274,190		274,190
Stock based compensation expense	1,190,697		1,190,697
Net income	8,466,680			8,466,680
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(519,405)				(519,405)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 94,762,778	$ 136,305	$ 63,441,433	$ 34,252,221	$ (3,067,181)
Ending Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011		13,630,607