Reportable Segments (Effects on Company's Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2010
Net sales	$ 329,522		$ 303,099		$ 660,867		$ 606,296
Operating profit	28,017		30,313		65,777		62,206
Interest expense	(1,393)		(1,644)		(2,815)		(2,313)
Interest income	467		219		687		386
Foreign exchange loss	(636)		(4,224)		(161)		(7,400)
Other, net	(324)		(384)		(329)		(393)
Non operating income (expense), total	(1,886)		(6,033)		(2,618)		(9,720)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	26,131		24,280		63,159		52,486
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	9,117		6,221		12,445		10,802
Depreciation and amortization	13,592		13,673		26,901		26,846
Advanced Materials [Member]
Net sales	165,206		150,266		345,286		320,230
Operating profit	16,864		17,335		48,981		46,593
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	4,146		3,516		5,165		6,649
Depreciation and amortization	5,151		5,143		10,223		10,161
Specialty Chemicals [Member]
Net sales	128,749		124,419		249,332		239,449
Operating profit	17,858		20,211		31,592		35,552
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	3,600		756		5,002		1,492
Depreciation and amortization	5,790		5,767		11,420		11,847
Battery Technologies [Member]
Net sales	35,843	[1]	28,414	[1]	66,819	[1]	47,003	[1]
Operating profit	6,703	[1]	411	[1]	8,825	[1]	(1,094)	[1]
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	1,371	[1]	1,949	[1]	2,278	[1]	2,661	[1]
Depreciation and amortization	2,503	[1]	2,563	[1]	4,988	[1]	4,161	[1]
Intersegment Items [Member]
Net sales	(276)				(570)		(386)
Corporate [Member]
Operating profit	(13,408)		(7,644)		(23,621)		(18,845)
Depreciation and amortization	$ 148		$ 200		$ 270		$ 677

[1] Includes activity since the acquisition of EaglePicher Technologies on January 29, 2010.