Business Segment, Geographic and Major Customer Information - Reportable Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	$ 102,575	$ 78,243
Gross margin	43,681	32,630
Income (loss) from operations	18,798	12,548
Depreciation and amortization	4,219	3,033
Total assets	390,516	218,483	375,581
Capital expenditures	4,990	4,383
Energy Chemical Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	62,377	44,650
Gross margin	29,220	19,113
Income (loss) from operations	21,623	14,324
Depreciation and amortization	1,067	460
Total assets	137,638	59,301
Capital expenditures	1,386	1,025
Consumer and Industrial Chemical Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	13,030	0
Gross margin	4,033	0
Income (loss) from operations	2,335	0
Depreciation and amortization	433	0
Total assets	93,217	0
Capital expenditures	14	0
Drilling Products [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	24,901	28,914
Gross margin	9,788	11,346
Income (loss) from operations	3,317	5,419
Depreciation and amortization	2,437	2,362
Total assets	136,141	120,015
Capital expenditures	3,296	861
Production Technologies [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	2,267	4,679
Gross margin	640	2,171
Income (loss) from operations	(79)	1,613
Depreciation and amortization	70	61
Total assets	14,864	12,280
Capital expenditures	61	997
Corporate and Other [Member]
Summarized financial information regarding reportable segments
Net revenue from external customers	0	0
Gross margin	0	0
Income (loss) from operations	(8,398)	(8,808)
Depreciation and amortization	212	150
Total assets	8,656	26,887
Capital expenditures	$ 233	$ 1,500