Condensed consolidated balance sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 29, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 43,199	$ 44,873
Accounts receivable, net	124,002	137,315
Inventories	124,679	119,909
Deferred income taxes	21,683	21,693
Prepaid and other	22,732	23,506
Total current assets	336,295	347,296
Property, plant and equipment, net	628,588	638,801
Goodwill	469,319	469,319
Intangibles and loan acquisition costs, net	117,845	121,729
Other	8,683	8,927
Total assets	1,560,730	1,586,072
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	29,014	32,316
Accrued liabilities	50,378	45,872
Income taxes payable	1,826	1,603
Current portion of debt	25,000	50,000
Total current liabilities	106,218	129,791
Debt, less current portion	638,750	646,250
Pension obligations, less current portion	101,230	103,491
Deferred income taxes	95,103	98,667
Other	24,930	25,036
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock - 15,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock, $.01 par value - 200,000,000 shares authorized; 46,723,723 issued and 46,711,323 outstanding at March 30, 2013 and 46,627,064 issued and outstanding at December 29, 2012	467	466
Paid-in capital	549,864	545,196
Retained earnings	64,789	55,768
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(24,816)	(22,353)
Treasury stock, at cost - 12,400 shares at March 30, 2013 and no shares at December 29, 2012	(476)
Total Polypore shareholders' equity	589,828	579,077
Noncontrolling interest	4,671	3,760
Total shareholders' equity	594,499	582,837
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 1,560,730	$ 1,586,072